Assistant Director of Safety and Security for K-12

The Nueva School

Position Overview

The School’s Assistant Director of Safety and Security is responsible for leading and coordinating campus-wide safety, security, and emergency preparedness efforts to ensure a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This role blends strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership, partnering closely with school leadership, facilities, HR, and external agencies to promote a proactive culture of safety and care.

The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, calm leadership, and a collaborative approach to safety-balancing compliance, prevention, and relationship-building within a school community.

Primary Responsibilities

• The School’s Assistant Director of Safety and Security is responsible for leading and coordinating campus-wide safety, security, and emergency preparedness efforts to ensure a safe, welcoming, and inclusive learning environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This role blends strategic planning with hands-on operational leadership, partnering closely with school leadership, facilities, HR, and external agencies to promote a proactive culture of safety and care.
• The ideal candidate brings strong judgment, calm leadership, and a collaborative approach to safety-balancing compliance, prevention, and relationship-building within a school community.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of experience in safety, security, emergency management, risk management, or a related field.
• Strong working knowledge of safety regulations, risk assessment, and crisis response.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing safety or emergency response plans.
• Ability to remain calm, compassionate, and decisive in high-pressure situations.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a school environment with children, educators, and families.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a school, campus, or youth-centered environment.
• Background in emergency management, public safety, law enforcement, or facilities/operations.
• Training or certification in emergency response, crisis management, or safety compliance.
• Familiarity with restorative or relationship-centered approaches to safety.
• Experience partnering with regulatory agencies or leading compliance processes.
• Personal Attributes
• Deep commitment to student safety, wellbeing, and inclusive community values.
• Strong interpersonal skills and a relationship-driven leadership style.
• High integrity, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Flexibility and adaptability in a dynamic school environment.

Encouraged to Apply

We encourage candidates from all backgrounds and lived experiences to apply, even if you do not meet every preferred qualification. We value diverse perspectives and are committed to building a school community that reflects the full diversity of the students and families we serve

Compensation and Benefits

The full-time equivalent salary range for this position is $90,000 to $135,000. The starting salary is based on, but not limited to, several factors, including type and years of experience, education level, and expertise.

We offer a compensation and benefits package that includes fully paid medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees, employer contributions toward dependent insurance premiums, a generous match on our retirement plan, long-term disability insurance, a flexible spending account, and a free lunch. Relocation assistance available. Eligibility rules must be met.

In deciding whether to apply for a position at Nueva, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with Nueva’s Mission, Vision, and Values. 

To Apply

Please submit your application information - cover letter describing your interest and preparedness for the position, a resume documenting your relevant experience and expertise, and contact information for three professional references, including an explanation of your relationship - to the Nueva Employment Website.  To address specific questions, please email Steve Osborne atsosborne@nuevaschool.org.

The Nueva School is an Equal Opportunity Employer – we do not discriminate against any employee or job applicant based on race, color, gender, national origin, age, religion, creed, disability, or sex. We welcome applications from people of color and those with experience outside the education field. 

About The Nueva School

The Nueva School, an internationally recognized, nonprofit, independent day school, has served gifted and talented students since 1967. Today, Nueva serves nearly 1000 students PK-12. Nueva is located in the neighboring towns of Hillsborough and San Mateo, equidistant between San Francisco and Silicon Valley, and serves six counties throughout the Bay Area of Northern California.

A school that honors multiple pathways to learning through inquiry and experience. Nueva is recognized for its distinctive inquiry-based, interdisciplinary studies; project-based learning; and pioneering work in social-emotional learning and design thinking. The Nueva community instills a passion for lifelong learning, fosters social and emotional acuity, and develops the imaginative mind. Our school has received the US Department of Education National Blue Ribbon Award, the US Department of Education National Green Ribbon Award, and the American Institute of Architects Award for School Design and Sustainability; has been recognized as an Apple Distinguished Program and appointed an Ashoka Changemaker School; co-founded the Common Ground Speaker Series; hosts the biennial Innovative Learning Conference, and was highlighted by the Pulitzer Prize–winning and New York Times best-selling author Thomas Friedman in his book That Used to Be Us in the chapter “Average Is Over.”

For more information about The Nueva School, visit our website:www.nuevaschool.org