Director of Safety Services

The Director of Safety Services provides leadership and oversight for Safety Services across all The Avenue Church campuses, ensuring safe, welcoming, and prepared environments for church services, events, staff, volunteers, and guests. This role oversees the Safety and Medical Teams, develops safety and emergency response plans, coordinates training and coverage, and serves as a key advisor to church leadership on security, medical readiness, risk management, and emergency preparedness. The Director will lead Safety Services as a ministry, creating opportunities for team members to grow in their faith, build meaningful relationships, and experience camaraderie while serving something greater than themselves. This role partners closely with campus and central leadership to create consistent systems, strong communication, and a culture of hospitality, safety, teamwork, and excellence. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The essential functions include, but are not limited to, the following: Lead and Develop the Safety Team – Provide leadership, direction, scheduling, training, and oversight for Safety and Medical Team volunteers across all campuses. Recruit, vet, develop, and empower volunteers and team leaders while creating opportunities for spiritual and leadership growth. Build Team Culture – Foster a healthy team environment marked by camaraderie, trust, encouragement, communication, and shared purpose. Help team members understand that Safety Services is a ministry and that their service contributes to something bigger than themselves. Develop Safety and Emergency Plans – Create and continually improve safety, security, and emergency response plans addressing potential threats, natural disasters, fire, medical emergencies, severe weather, and other unforeseen events. Coordinate with local first responders to strengthen and validate response plans. Ensure Excellent Coverage and Readiness – Coordinate safety coverage for all church services, programs, and special events. Oversee the hiring and scheduling of off-duty law enforcement personnel as needed, and ensure that teams, equipment, and resources are prepared and serviceable. Train and Equip Staff and Volunteers – Develop and oversee onboarding and ongoing training for Safety and Medical Team volunteers. Communicate emergency plans, safety procedures, and expectations to church staff and ensure they are prepared to respond appropriately. Maintain Consistent Systems and Communication – Develop and maintain clear weekly safety plans, policies, procedures, and communication processes across campuses. Maintain consistent communication with Campus Pastors and Executive Pastor regarding safety concerns, incidents, staffing, training, events, and recommended improvements. Oversee Safety Operations and Incident Response – Manage safety technology, cameras, access points, equipment, logistics, incident reporting, and follow-up. Investigate suspicious or potentially criminal activity when necessary and communicate identified threats or concerns to appropriate leadership and team members. Manage Resources and Risk – Oversee the Safety Services budget, purchasing, and resource allocation. Regularly assess vulnerabilities, identify risks, and implement practical improvements to strengthen safety and operational effectiveness. Partner Across the Church – Work closely with Campus Pastors, ministry leaders, Guest Services, and central leadership to ensure safety practices support rather than hinder the guest experience and overall mission of The Avenue Church. Oversight: Safety Team volunteers across all campuses, Medical Team volunteers, off-duty law enforcement personnel as applicable, safety-related equipment and resources, and the Safety Services budget. Core Competencies: Leadership & Team Development: Ability to recruit, train, empower, and develop volunteers. Ministry Mindset: Commitment to spiritual growth, servant leadership, and meaningful volunteer engagement. Communication: Clear, consistent, and timely communication across teams, campuses, and leadership. Operational Excellence: Strong organization, attention to detail, and commitment to continuous improvement. Crisis Management: Calm, decisive leadership in high-pressure situations. Risk Management: Ability to identify vulnerabilities and develop practical solutions. Hospitality: Commitment to creating environments that are both safe and welcoming. Collaboration: Ability to build strong relationships with staff, volunteers, church leadership, and public safety partners. Qualifications: 3–5 years of experience in safety, security, emergency management, operations, law enforcement, military, fire/EMS, team leadership, or a related field preferred. Experience leading and developing staff and volunteers. Experience developing safety, security, or emergency response plans preferred. Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills. Ability to remain calm and make sound decisions in high-pressure situations. Ability to build relationships and lead volunteers in a ministry environment. Church or nonprofit experience preferred. Alignment with The Avenue Church’s mission, values, and beliefs. High school diploma required; bachelor’s degree in a related field preferred. Spiritual Requirements: Regular involvement in The Avenue Church activities and events. Signed acknowledgement of The Avenue Church’s “Statement of Faith” and “Staff Lifestyle Agreement” forms. Signed acknowledgment of policies and procedures as stated in The Avenue Church’s employee handbook. Living out the spiritual principles outlined in the “Staff Lifestyle Agreement”; participation in a small group; tithing consistently; attending worship services; involvement in outreach; following Christ personally and passionately; and sexual purity. Physical Requirements: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions. While performing the duties of this position, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands or fingers, handle or feel objects, tools, or controls. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, and the ability to adjust focus. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.