Assistant Director, DPS Special Events

The Division of Public Safety (DPS) Events team serves as the central point of coordination for campus events requiring safety, security, and operational planning support.

From large-scale public gatherings to smaller, high-profile events, DPS Events partners with campus departments and external organizers to review event requests for compliance with University of Colorado Boulder policies, assess safety considerations, and coordinate the resources needed for a successful event. This includes collaboration around security planning, facilities coordination, crowd management, and risk mitigation-ensuring events are both welcoming and well-prepared.

Our goal is to support vibrant campus experiences while prioritizing the safety of participants, attendees, and the broader university community.

Supervising Security Programs and Staff

• Manage all organizations and individuals that perform event security functions on the CU Boulder Campus. Coordinate with these groups for proper event staffing, compliance with local, state, and federal laws and University rules / regulations, and emergency procedures.
• Provide operational leadership for the overall security function at special events on campus.
• Develop and manage a system for verifying credentials of all personnel assigned to work during special events, as required.
• Supervise the Program Manager, DPS Special Events and oversee student employees and all programs that fall under the Program Manager's scope of work.
• Continuously evaluate security programs for operational success and capture and report on metrics to DPS Leadership.

Event Planning / Logistics / Operations

• Conduct threat and vulnerability assessments for events event venues on the CU Boulder campus. Create, organize, and update Event Action Plans (EAPs) for Special Events on the University of Colorado Boulder campus, including contingency plans.
• Create, implement, and regularly update a security program matrix for special events on the CU Boulder campus, including required security staffing (both number of staff and type of staff) for varying types of events, security requirements (no bag, clear bag, magnetometers, etc.) and screening procedures for events.
• Verify operational readiness of equipment and facilities for Special Events before and during event times.
• Implement and regularly update the Incident Command System (ICS), structure, and form preparation for Special Events.
• Review and approve / reject event management forms or other event permit applications for security / public safety needs and compliance with public safety requirements.

Training

• Provide ongoing and just-in-time training to security organizations and other campus entities for compliance with laws, policies, and guidelines (i.e. Clery, ICS, Security Staffing Matrix, Title IX reporting, etc).
• Stay abreast of new trends, technologies, and standard processes related to Event Security management.

Standard business hours, M-F, with the ability to work a flex schedule to accommodate special events. May be required to work evenings, weekends, and/or holidays to support operational management of special events across or adjacent to campus.

Annual salary range is $90,000 - $105,000.

• A bachelor's degree in Emergency Management, Public Safety, Criminal Justice, Event Management, Security Management, or a related field. An equivalent combination of education and experience may substitute.
• 5 years of experience in event operations, public safety, emergency management, or security program administration.
• Experience developing or implementing Event Action Plans (EAPs), operational plans, or emergency response plans.
• Experience conducting risk, threat, or vulnerability assessments for events, facilities, or public spaces.
• One or more years of supervisory experience, including oversight of staff, contractors, or multi-agency teams.
• Successful completion of FEMA ICS/NIMS courses (ICS-100, ICS-200, ICS-300, ICS-400, ICS-700, ICS-800) or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Valid driver's license.

Knowledge of:

• Incident Command System (ICS) / National Incident Management System (NIMS): Understanding standard frameworks (ICS/NIMS) to maintain interoperability during special events.
• Risk and Threat Assessment: Conducting vulnerability studies, threat modeling, and crowd dynamics to anticipate and prevent security or safety issues.
• Crowd Management & Egress: Comprehensive understanding of crowd capacities, venue chokepoints, and safe evacuation routes in the event of an emergency.
• Event Action Planning (EAPs): Familiarity with creating and implementing comprehensive event safety and emergency response plans for special events.

Skills:

• Interdisciplinary Coordination: Ability to network, build consensus, and negotiate operational constraints with a widening range of partners (e.g., venue operators, other organizations/agencies, and resource providers).
• Resource Allocation: Capability to deploy security personnel effectively, manage span of control, and pivot resources in real-time as situations evolve.
• Situational Awareness & Analytics: Skill in interpreting real-time data, assessing weather changes, and rapidly analyzing potential dangers to dictate proper courses of action.

Abilities:

• High-Stakes Decision Making: The capacity to make clear, objective, and rapid decisions during volatile, rapidly changing, or emergency environments.
• Impact Awareness: Ability to recognize the impact of decisions on the University, community relations, and event operations.
• Emotional Stability: The capability to remain calm under pressure, absorb the effects of intense stress, and provide steady leadership during a critical incident.
• Interpersonal and Leadership Skills: Ability to effectively lead, motivate, and hold diverse, multi-agency teams accountable while managing a workforce.

• Master's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Homeland Security, Criminal Justice, or a related field.
• 5 + years of progressively responsible experience in special events operations, public safety planning, or emergency management within a university, municipal, or large venue environment.
• Experience managing large-scale or high-risk events, including athletics, concerts, dignitary visits, or mass gatherings.
• Demonstrated experience building or managing a security staffing matrix, security programs, or multi-agency coordination frameworks.
• Experience conducting complex threat and vulnerability assessments, including crowd modeling or venue risk analysis.