The Director of Security provides operational leadership for all safety, security, emergency preparedness, and risk management functions across Patria Church. The Director leads campus security personnel and volunteer safety teams. This role ensures safe, welcoming, and well-coordinated environments during daily operations, weekend services, conferences, outreach events, and church sponsored activities. The Director establishes department standards, oversees staffing, develops systems that support efficient and scalable security operations across all campuses. The Director of Security owns the planning, implementation, and maintenance of physical security systems. Including surveillance cameras, access control, alarms, and emergency communication systems. The position evaluates organizational risk, develops emergency response and evacuation plans. Coordinates with public safety agencies, ensures compliance with organizational safety standards and applicable regulations. The Director of Security partners with Executive Leadership to develop long-term security strategies, improve operational readiness, and support organizational growth. This role helps fulfill Patria Church's vision: "For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name." Ephesians 3:14-15. Every position supports the mission to Seek the Lost, Teach the Found, and Send the Disciples. The Director of Security reports directly to the Rancho Campus Director Pastor and collaborates with designated leadership across all Patria Church campuses.
Schedule: Regular availability is required for Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday services. As an exempt salaried position, the schedule will vary based on ministry and departmental needs and may include additional weekdays, evenings, special events, and travel between campuses.
Works Closely With: Executive Leadership, Multi-Campus Leadership, Events Team, Facilities, UCA Campus Care Team, Local Law Enforcement and Emergency Responders
Essential Expectations
Models the spirit of Patria Church’s guiding scripture, Ephesians 3:14-15, by building a church community that strengthens families.
Fulfill the four pillars of Patria Church. Christ (Mission, Christ-Centered Driven, Community (Diversity, Kingdom Driven), Character (Leadership, Discipleship Driven), Commitment (Family Driven) church.
Embraces and executes Neighborhood Groups philosophy of ministry, discipleship, and connection across campuses Embrace and execute a Neighborhood Groups philosophy of ministry, fostering community, discipleship, and connection across families and campuses.
Fully embraces and acts in accordance with the mission of Patria Church to Seek the Lost, Teach the Found, and Send the Disciples.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Leadership, Team Development, and Department Management - Provide daily leadership, coaching, accountability, and performance management for Campus Patrol Officers, EMT personnel, Security Leads, and volunteer Safety Teams.
- Establish department goals, performance expectations, measurable service standards, and accountability systems.
- Recruit, interview, onboard, train, schedule, and retain qualified security personnel and volunteers.
- Develop future leaders by identifying succession opportunities, mentoring emerging leaders, and preparing the department for multi-campus growth.
- Conduct regular staff trainings, one-on-one coaching sessions, department meetings, and annual performance evaluations.
- Build scalable staffing models, training systems, and leadership structures to support Patria Church’s long-term plan for ten campuses.
Broadcast Campus and Multi-Campus Security Operations - Establish consistent security standards across all Patria Church campuses.
- Develop security coverage plans for weekend services, conferences, outreach events, school activities, graduations, and special events.
- Travel between campuses as necessary to provide leadership, training, audits, and operational support.
- Partner with ministry leaders to ensure campus activities are properly supported from a safety, security, and operational perspective.
- Conduct weekly Rancho Campus walkthroughs and scheduled security assessments at other campuses.
- Collaborates with safety and security planning for United Christian Academy Care Team needs, Abundant Preschool of Learning, and Sheriff graduation events as assigned.
Security Operations, Technology, and Incident Response - Oversee daily security operations including patrol procedures, incident response, access control, visitor management, and emergency communication.
- Ensure officers complete patrols, incident documentation, activity logs, and required reports accurately and timely.
- Manage surveillance cameras, access control systems, alarm systems, emergency notification systems, and security software.
- Coordinate preventative maintenance, repairs, testing, and upgrades for all security equipment.
- Review incident reports, identify trends, investigate security-related concerns, and implement corrective action plans.
- Maintain department policies, post orders, emergency procedures, operational manuals, and security-related records.
Emergency Preparedness, Risk Management, and Compliance - Maintain the church Emergency Operations Plan and emergency response procedures.
- Lead emergency preparedness planning across campuses, schools, preschool operations, and major ministry events.
- Coordinate evacuation drills, active threat exercises, medical emergency response training, severe weather procedures, and after-action reviews.
- Serve as Incident Commander during significant emergencies until relieved by emergency responders or executive leadership.
- Identify operational risks and recommend mitigation strategies.
- Ensure compliance with OSHA, California workplace safety regulations, life safety requirements, organizational policies, and required security documentation.
Event Security, Strategic Growth, and Organizational Support - Develop security plans for major church events, conferences, concerts, holiday services, community outreach, graduations, and high-attendance gatherings.
- Coordinate staffing assignments, traffic flow, parking operations, crowd management, emergency access, and law enforcement support when needed.
- Build and maintain working relationships with local law enforcement, fire departments, EMS agencies, and emergency management partners.
- Participate in planning for new campuses, ministry expansion, facility projects, and organizational growth initiatives.
- Prepare department reports, operational updates, staffing recommendations, budget input, and security improvement plans.
- Work a flexible schedule based on ministry needs, including evenings, weekends, holidays, emergencies, and events that may require work beyond forty hours per week.
General Requirements - Successfully completes all required background checks and pre-employment screenings.
- Demonstrates reliability, punctuality, and consistent attendance.
- Reads, writes, spells, and communicates clearly in English.
- Demonstrates basic computer skills and the ability to use communication and scheduling systems required for daily operations
- Completes all required onboarding, safety, and role-specific training within established timeframes, including security, compliance, emergency procedures, and California Mandated Reporter Training within the first 90 days of employment.
- Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record. If travel is required to perform the essential functions of the position.
- Communicates clearly and respectfully with staff, volunteers, and supervisors.
- Adapts well to changing priorities, event schedules, and ministry needs.
- Works well under limited supervision, showing initiative and follow-through.
- Maintains confidentiality, discretion, and integrity in all responsibilities.
- Represents Patria Church’s mission and values through professionalism, teamwork, and Christlike conduct.
Physical Requirements Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. The individual must be able to work independently, communicate effectively, and lift up to 25–50 lbs. (with or without assistance). This position may also require extended periods of sitting, standing, walking, and hand-eye coordination for keyboard data entry and viewing information on a computer monitor. External and internal applicants, as well as current employees who are or become disabled as defined under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), must be able to perform the essential job functions either unaided or with the assistance of a reasonable accommodation, as determined on a case-by-case basis.
Organizational and Spiritual Alignment - Demonstrate full alignment with Patria Church's Statement of Faith as outlined in the Employee Handbook and on Patria Church's official website. Statement of Beliefs is defined as Patria Church's core biblical beliefs, theological convictions, and doctrinal positions.
- Uphold and comply with Patria Church's Christian Code of Conduct as a condition of employment. Christian Code of Conduct is defined as the character, behavior, and lifestyle expectations of those serving and employed by Patria Church.
- Pastors to attend all regularly scheduled Sunday and Wednesday church services, mandatory meetings, and designated church events. This includes serving at Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas services as well as the annual volunteer appreciation event.
- Support Staff to attend all required meetings, ministry events, and designated churchwide services. This includes serving at Good Friday, Easter, and Christmas services as well as the annual volunteer appreciation event.
- Participate in the life of Patria Church through Worship Services, Serving, Neighborhood Groups, Discipleship Sprints, and churchwide activities.
- Demonstrate commitment to biblical stewardship through the practice of tithing and generosity in alignment with Patria Church's beliefs and teachings.
- Ability to interpret and adhere to Patria Church’s policies, procedures, and employee handbook.
Qualifications
Education - Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, or a closely related field preferred.
- Master's degree in Emergency Management, Public Administration, Business Administration, Organizational Leadership, or a related field desirable.
- Coursework in leadership, risk management, emergency planning, organizational management, or public safety administration is desirable.
- Equivalent combination of education, professional training, and progressively responsible leadership experience may be considered.
- Education or training that demonstrates an understanding of ministry operations and servant leadership is desirable.
Experience - Minimum of five (5) years of progressively responsible leadership experience in security management, law enforcement, military, emergency management, risk management, or a related public safety field.
- Minimum of three (3) years of experience supervising employees, volunteers, or multi-disciplinary teams, including recruiting, coaching, performance management, and leadership development.
- Experience developing staffing plans, work schedules, operational procedures, and performance standards.
- Proven ability to oversee multiple projects, locations, or operational priorities simultaneously.
- Experience preparing budgets, operational reports, and recommendations for organizational leadership.
- Familiarity working collaboratively with public safety agencies, contractors, and community partners.
Job Skills - Strong leadership and team-building skills with the ability to motivate, develop, and retain high-performing teams.
- Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills across all organizational levels.
- Effective planning, organization, and project management skills in fast-paced environments.
- Sound decision-making and critical thinking skills during routine operations and emergency situations.
- Strong conflict resolution, coaching, and problem-solving skills.
- Proficiency using security technology, access control software, video management systems, and standard business software.
- Strong presentation and training skills for employees, volunteers, and ministry leaders.
- Skilled in analyzing operational data, identify trends, and recommend practical improvements.
Knowledge - Understanding of emergency preparedness, risk assessment, business continuity, and crisis response methodologies.
- Familiarity with security technology, access control software, video management systems, standard business software. reporting systems, and standard Microsoft Office applications.
- Understanding of leadership principles, employee development, performance management, and organizational accountability.
- Knowledge of physical security principles, access control, surveillance systems, emergency communications, and incident reporting practices.
- Working knowledge of OSHA requirements, California workplace safety regulations, and life safety practices applicable to public facilities.
Abilities - Remain calm and effective under pressure.
- Make timely, sound decisions in complex situations.
- Anticipate operational needs and adjust priorities accordingly.
- Balance strategic thinking with attention to detail.
- Foster trust, accountability, and teamwork across diverse groups.
- Influence and lead others through change and organizational growth.
- Handle sensitive matters with discretion and professionalism.
- Work effectively with minimal supervision while managing competing priorities.
- Respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations.
Training and Certifications - Current CPR, AED, and First Aid certification required or ability to obtain within a specified timeframe.
- Completion of Incident Command System (ICS) and National Incident Management System (NIMS) training preferred.
- Training in workplace violence prevention and behavioral threat assessment preferred.
- OSHA workplace safety and California workplace safety compliance training preferred.
- Training in active threat response, emergency preparedness, and crisis management preferred.
- Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) certification or training preferred.
- Training in emergency operations planning and business continuity planning preferred.
- Instructor certification in CPR, First Aid, active threat response, defensive tactics, or other public safety disciplines preferred.
- Training in emergency communications, mass notification systems, and incident documentation preferred.
- Certification in security management through ASIS International, such as Certified Protection Professional (CPP), Physical Security Professional (PSP), or Associate Protection Professional (APP), preferred.
- Training in investigations, report writing, evidence preservation, and incident management preferred.
- Completion of the Federal Emergency Management Agency Professional Development Series (PDS) or Advanced Professional Series (APS) preferred.
- Valid California driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
This job description is intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications and does not constitute a contract, guarantee, or promise of employment or continued employment.
Patria Church reserves the right to modify, interpret, or revise this job description at any time to meet the changing needs of the organization, with or without notice.
Classification: Full-Time | Exempt (Salary) | Benefits Eligible
Compensation for this position is established in accordance with Patria Church's compensation philosophy and is based on the scope of the position, qualifications, and relevant experience. This position is eligible for benefits in accordance with Patria Church's employee benefit plans and applicable policies.
Employment with Patria Church is at-will and may be terminated by either the employee or Patria Church at any time, with or without cause or advance notice, as permitted by applicable law.
Patria Church complies with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws.
