Director of Public Safety

Primary Purpose

The Mayor’s Office is seeking a Director of Public Safety.  This is a Cabinet-level position that will supervise the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department, Fire Department, Emergency Management Agency, Corrections, Buildings Division, Excise Division and the newly created Office of Violence Prevention. The Director of Public Safety will advise the Mayor regarding all efforts to reduce violence and increase resident safety.  Addressing crime, reducing trauma and providing efficient public safety services are top priorities of the Jones administration.  The Director is responsible for the daily management of division directors as well as staff within the Director’s office. 

Key duties for the Director of Public Safety will include:

• Working with the Mayor to shape and implement her vision for improving public safety internally and externally.
• Fostering interdepartmental cooperation to produce outcomes that reduce violence for St. Louis residents
• Supervising departmental staff and addressing management concerns.
• Advising the Mayor and her senior leadership time regarding all department and division activities.
• Ensuring further consolidation of the City’s 911 communications to bolster efficiency and prepare public safety leadership for the establishment of a unified PSAP facility.
• Working with departmental leaders to address staffing and performance metrics.
• Promoting innovation amongst staff to streamline services and adopt best practices.
• Ensuring transparency within the Department of Public Safety.
• Maintaining strong working partnerships with state and federal stakeholders to support coordinated action on public safety goals.  
• Building public/private partnerships to expand or enhance services.
• Engaging with community stakeholders.
• Informing the public regarding public safety incidents and outcomes as appropriate.
• Analyzing departmental spending and opportunities for innovation.
• Troubleshooting day-to-day challenges confronted by department/ division leaders.
• Identifying gaps in programming that would allow the City to more effectively accomplish its goals.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Individuals considered for this role should have subject matter expertise in public safety. They should have senior leadership experience. They should be self-starters, organized, and capable of managing complicated workflows on tight schedules. This role requires strong interpersonal skills capable of building work plans among diverse stakeholders.

Qualified individuals should be well-versed in racial justice and building trust in the community and should be eager to seek out community partners. Applicants should be experts in their field and show deep potential for learning in areas less familiar to them.  The Director will work under general supervision. They are empowered to develop their own work sequences within established procedures, methods, and policies and subject to periodic supervisory checks with the Chief of Staff.

How to Apply

Interested applicants should send their resume, cover letter, references to Deputy Chief of Staff, Sara Baker, at bakersa@stlouis-mo.gov. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

EOC

The City of St. Louis is an Equal Opportunity Employer. In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of St. Louis will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and encourages both prospective and current employees to discuss potential accommodations with the City.

Published: February 23, 2023