Job Overview

The Diocese of Saint Petersburg is seeking an experienced, mission-driven Director of Parish and School Security and Risk Management to provide strategic leadership for security, emergency preparedness, and proactive risk management across our Catholic schools, parishes, and diocesan ministries.

This diocesan leadership position is responsible for developing and implementing comprehensive security and risk management strategies that protect people, facilities, and ministry operations while supporting the Church’s mission of Courageously Living the Gospel.

Working closely with pastors, principals, parish administrators, diocesan leadership, the Chancellor for Administration, the Risk Manager, and public safety agencies, the Director leads initiatives that strengthen organizational resilience, improve emergency preparedness, and promote safe, welcoming environments throughout the Diocese. This position focuses on prevention, planning, forecasting, and organizational preparedness and does not administer insurance claims.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and oversight for security, emergency preparedness, and proactive risk management initiatives across Catholic schools, parishes, and diocesan ministries.
• Direct and support the School Security Officer Program while providing guidance to parish security ministries, volunteer safety teams, and contracted security personnel.
• Develop, implement, and continuously evaluate diocesan-wide security policies, procedures, standards, and best practices that promote safe and welcoming ministry environments.
• Conduct comprehensive security assessments, facility audits, and operational risk reviews, identifying vulnerabilities and recommending practical solutions to reduce risk and strengthen preparedness.
• Lead emergency preparedness, crisis response, business continuity, and recovery planning efforts, ensuring schools and parishes are equipped to respond effectively to emergencies and critical incidents.
• Partner with pastors, principals, parish administrators, and diocesan leadership to assess organizational risks, develop mitigation strategies, and foster a culture of safety, preparedness, and accountability.
• Serve as the Diocese’s primary liaison with local, state, and federal law enforcement, emergency management agencies, and public safety partners to strengthen collaboration and ensure regulatory compliance.
• Promote the effective use of security technologies, including access control, video surveillance, emergency communications, visitor management systems, and other physical security measures that enhance the safety of diocesan facilities.
• Develop and facilitate security, emergency preparedness, active threat response, and risk management training programs, tabletop exercises, and educational resources for clergy, employees, and volunteers.
• Monitor emerging security threats, industry trends, and regulatory changes, providing strategic recommendations to diocesan leadership regarding security initiatives, capital improvements, technology investments, and long-term risk reduction.
• Serve as the diocesan point of contact during significant security incidents, coordinating with pastors, principals, law enforcement, and diocesan leadership while conducting post-incident reviews to strengthen future preparedness.
• Collaborate closely with the Chancellor for Administration and the Risk Manager to support enterprise-wide risk management initiatives while maintaining responsibility for prevention, planning, forecasting, and organizational resilience rather than insurance claims administration.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, Public Safety, Emergency Management, Risk Management, Homeland Security, or a related field required; Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in law enforcement, public safety, school security, emergency management, enterprise risk management, or a related field.
• Demonstrated experience developing security programs, conducting organizational risk assessments, emergency preparedness planning, and leading cross-functional initiatives.
• Knowledge of Florida statutes and regulations related to school safety, emergency management, and security best practices.
• Strong leadership, strategic planning, analytical, organizational, and decision-making skills.
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with clergy, school leaders, parish administrators, law enforcement, and community partners.
• Practicing Catholic in full communion with the Catholic Church who supports and faithfully represents the mission and teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Successful completion of diocesan Safe Environment requirements and applicable background screening.

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

To Apply: Please send resume with a cover letter to: ggillis@dosp.org