Chief of Police/Executive Director of Public Safety

Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume and cover letter in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

Position Summary:

Rice University seeks a visionary and community-oriented leader to serve as the next Chief of Police and Executive Director of Public Safety. As the university advances its strategic vision, anchored by excellence in research, transformative undergraduate education, and deep engagement with the city of Houston. The Chief will play a pivotal role in ensuring a campus environment where innovation and safety coexist. This position is not merely about enforcement; it is about building a broad umbrella of protection that integrates traditional policing with emergency medical services and comprehensive emergency management, all while reflecting the culture of care that defines the Rice community.

The Chief will oversee a sophisticated, integrated safety ecosystem that includes a commissioned police department (RUPD), a student-run Emergency Medical Services (REMS) program, and a comprehensive Emergency Management office. This role reports directly to the Associate Vice President for Public Safety and Research Security.

As the public face of the Rice University Department of Public Safety, you will be a champion for transparency and collaboration. The Chief is expected to move beyond the station, actively engaging with campus committees, faculty, and student leadership to foster open lines of communication. By aligning public safety initiatives with the university’s mission, the Chief will ensure that the department’s strategic planning directly supports the academic and research goals of a premier global institution. The Chief will lead a team dedicated to providing a stable, secure foundation that allows our students and scholars to push the boundaries of knowledge.

Beyond the hedges, the Chief serves as a vital link between the university and the broader Houston landscape. The Chief will be responsible for integrating Rice’s safety initiatives with Federal, state, and local law enforcement partners, ensuring a seamless response to regional challenges while advocating for the unique needs of a private research campus.

Ideal Candidate Statement:

We are looking for a strategic administrator who can execute sophisticated safety programs that protect our physical campus and enhance the well-being of the surrounding community. If you are a leader who values equity, modern policing standards, and the pursuit of a safe, inclusive environment, we invite you to help shape the future of Rice University.

Workplace Requirements:

This role is classified as an Essential On-Campus Position, requiring on-site presence to effectively carry out its vital functions. During emergencies or crises, the Chief is required to report to campus as directed to ensure continuity of critical operations and must remain accessible to leadership to fulfill responsibilities necessary for maintaining institutional functions.

Workplace Location:

This position is exclusively on-site, necessitating all duties to be performed in-person at the Rice University Main Campus. Schedule may vary to fit the needs of the department and/or campus to include holidays, nights and weekends. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.”

Hiring Range: $180,000 – $204,624  Annually

*Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice, Public Administration or related field 
  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis. 
• Six or more (6+) years of experience in executive or senior command-level in a sworn law enforcement agency
  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education above and beyond what is required may be substituted on an equivalent year-for-year basis.  
• Skills: 
  • Exceptional leadership skills
  • Excellent knowledge of the role of a police department, medical services and emergency management within the university community and Rice University, with the ability to support the strategic plan, mission, and goals of the University
  • Ability to apply the University parking and traffic regulations and the appropriate state penal laws in a uniform, consistent, and fair manner
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others
  • Ability to manage multiple priorities under stressful circumstances
  • Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws and how applicable to the RU community
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills as well as presentation skills
  • High comfort level working with leadership, faculty, staff, students, and the community
  • Proven ability to quickly assess complex organizations, manage crises, and communicate effectively with diverse internal and external stakeholders.

Certification:

• Must be a licensed Peace Officer in the State of Texas (or able to obtain TCOLE licensure within 6 months).

Preferred:

• Experience in a higher education or institutional environment
• Master’s Degree

Essential Functions:

• Responsible for the strategic planning and solutions to the administrative challenges of the Rice University Department of Public Safety
• Meets with administration and campus committees to provide updates and gain insight into campus security needs
• Responsibly, manages the current operational budget for public safety, to include the Rice University Police Department (RUPD), Rice Emergency Medical Services (REMS), and Emergency Management (EM), ensuring fiscal prudence while maintaining critical services
• Oversees all law enforcement activities, patrol, and investigations, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and local laws, and university policies (e.g., Clery Act, Title IX, FERPA)
• Directs the recruitment, selection, promotion, evaluation and accountability of staff
• Determines ways to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of department staffing, functions and work process improvement
• Oversees the investigation of crimes, management of evidence, and the analysis of safety trends to mitigate future risks
• Implements and sustain a campus policing model that prioritizes relationship-building, cultural competency, and de-escalation
• Develops and enforce departmental General Orders and Standard Operating Procedures that align with national best practices and CALEA standards
• Provides administrative support and high-level guidance for Rice EMS, a unique, student-run volunteer organization
• Ensures seamless coordination between RUPD, REMS and EM during medical emergencies and large-scale campus events
• Monitors compliance with state health protocols and ensure student providers have the resources and training necessary for advanced life support
• Overseeing the development, testing, and execution of the University’s Emergency Operations Plan (EOP) and Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP)
• Serves as a primary advisor to the President’s Office and the Crisis Management Team during active threats, weather emergencies, or public health incidents
• Contributes to the design and enablement of university-wide table-top exercises and active-threat drills to ensure institutional readiness
• Reinforces commitment to community-oriented policing, transparency, and accountability within the department
• Performs comprehensive, objective assessment of the current organizational structure, policies, procedures, staffing, and technological resources across all public safety units
• Addresses immediate and high-priority issues (e.g., personnel gaps, policy deficiencies, training needs) that require attention
• Performs all other duties as assigned

Rice University HR | Benefits:https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits
Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

Rice University is committed to ensuring Equal Employment Opportunity and welcoming the fullness of diversity into our candidate pools. Rice considers qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, genetic information, disability, or protected veteran status. Rice also provides reasonable accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. If an applicant requires a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application or hiring process, please get in touch with Rice University’s Human Resources Office via email at [email protected] for support.

If you have any additional questions, please email us at [email protected] . Thank you for your interest in employment with Rice University.