CITY OF LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - DIRECTOR DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY - Recruitment Services Provided By Ralph Andersen & Associates - Ralph Andersen ...

CITY OF LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
        DIRECTOR
DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY

Recruitment Services Provided By Ralph Andersen & Associates

Unique Opportunity – Join the City of Las Vegas!
This is a unique opportunity to join the City of Las Vegas in an executive leadership role. The Director, Department of
Public Safety has an extensive portfolio of oversight including detention, animal control, and marshals (patrolling city
parks and the “Fremont Experience” downtown). Total staff in the Department is 414 with an annual budget of $80
million, including animal control. The current Director will retire effective October 1, 2020 with more than 9 years
as Chief.
Top candidates must have a career path that closely aligns with the core responsibilities for this executive level position.
Requires P.O.S.T. certification in the State of Nevada or ability to achieve reciprocity within a short period of time.

The Community
Meaning “the meadows,” Las Vegas is surrounded by
mountains and desert providing spectacular scenery and
a warm climate. Las Vegas residents enjoy more than 300
days of sunshine a year with an average high temperature
of 80 degrees and an average low temperature of 56
degrees. Streets lined with palm trees, creative parks, and
abundant pedestrian/bicycle trails make residential living
comfortable and pleasant in a variety of neighborhoods
that are affordably priced.
Residents enjoy nearby hiking at the Red Rock Canyon
National Conservation Area, kayaking down the Colorado
River, and skiing in Lee Canyon during the winter. Within
a day’s drive are venues such as Disneyland and National
Parks like Zion and Grand Canyon. For sports fans, the
City is home to the NHL Vegas Golden Knights and minor
league baseball, soccer, and WNBA teams. The City will
soon be home to the NFL Las Vegas Raiders as well.
With a population of nearly 661,824 residents, Las Vegas
has been one of the fastest-growing cities in the United
States and Clark County overall has a total population of
over two million. The City embraces responsible growth
and strives to provide open, accessible government and
high-quality services to its residents. As a result of this
growth, Las Vegas has become a diverse community, both
culturally and ethnically. The Clark County School District
reports an enrollment of more than 320,000 students.
Institutions of higher learning include the University of
Nevada-Las Vegas, the Community College of Southern
Nevada, the Desert Research Institute, the Nevada State
College, and the University of Nevada Medical School.

The City Government
The City of Las Vegas was founded in 1905 and incorporated in March 1911. The City is governed under the council-manager form of
government. The Mayor is elected at-large and six council members are elected from wards for overlapping four-year terms. The City has
inter-local agreements with Clark County and the cities of Henderson, North Las Vegas, and Boulder City for joint water, transportation,
library, and solid waste services. Police services are provided by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department, a jointly supported venture
of the City of Las Vegas and Clark County, led by an elected sheriff.
The City employs over 3,400 personnel and operates with a general fund budget of approximately $580 million.

        In 2018, the City of Las Vegas was named an All-American City by the National Civic League for showing
        how the community leverages civic engagement, collaboration, inclusiveness, and innovation to successfully
        address local issues.

$80 million
  OPERATING BUDGET

                        661,824
                       POPULATION

      414 FTE
DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEES

Responsibilities of the Director, Department of Public Safety
This position will become available due to the pending retirement of the current Director (October 1, 2020) after nine years in the position and
a total of 23 total with the Department of Public Safety (DPS).
The Director of DPS is responsible for the planning,
directing, management, and oversight of the                                               DPS Staffing
activities and operations of the Department of
Public Safety including detention, animal control,            Currently, the staff for the Department of Public Safety is a total of
and marshals (patrolling city parks and the “Fremont          414 of which 222 are Corrections Officers covered under the LVPOA
Experience” downtown). The City’s detention                   collective bargaining agreement (CBA); 95 are Marshals covered
facility has an inmate capacity of approximately 700          under the LVPPA CBA; 81 are Civilians covered under the LVCEA
to 1,000. Total staff count is 414 (refer to details for      CBA; 4 are Lieutenants covered under the POSA CBA; 12 are
DPS Staffing to the right and on the organizational           Appointed/Executive employees not covered as a represented group.
chart on 8) with an operating budget of $80 million,          An organization chart appears on Page 8.
including animal control.

This executive level position also coordinates assigned activities with other city departments and outside agencies (Metro Police Department and
other local jurisdictions) in the region to provide highly responsible and complex administrative support to the Chief of Public Safety.

                                lasvegasnevada.gov/Government/Departments/Public-Safety

Executive management responsibilities of the Director include:

   ♦ Manage the development and implementation of Department of Public Safety goals, objectives,
     workplan, policies, and priorities for each assigned service area;

   ♦ Establish, within city policy, appropriate service, and staffing levels; monitor and evaluate the efficiency
     and effectiveness of service delivery methods and procedures;

   ♦ Oversee and participate in the development and administration of the department budget; approve the
     forecast of funds needed for resources;

   ♦ Establish and monitor positive community relations and relations with other criminal justice agencies;

   ♦ Administer and manage the city’s misdemeanant detention services;

   ♦ Represent DPS to other city departments, elected officials, and outside agencies; coordinate department
     activities with those of other departments and outside agencies and organizations;

   ♦ Provide staff assistance to the Mayor, City Manager, Chief of Public Safety, and City Council; participate
     on a variety of boards, commissions, and committees; prepare and present staff reports and other
     necessary correspondence;

   ♦ Collaborate with social service and behavioral health organizations and oversee incarceration alternatives
     and develop plans in coordination with the Municipal Court;

   ♦ Provide staff support to assigned boards and commissions;

   ♦ Address media inquiries in conjunction with the City’s Public Information Officer and the City Manager’s
     Office;

   ♦ Attend and participate in professional group meetings; stay abreast of new trends and innovations in the
     field of detention and enforcement; and

   ♦ Respond to and resolve difficult and sensitive citizen inquiries on a variety of matters including inmate
     health and safety.

Department of Public Safety Organizational Chart

                                                                     DPS Director

                                                                                             Management Analyst I

                                                Budget Analyst

                       Deptuy DPS Director                             Deputy DPS Director

                        4 Corrections
                                                                       4 DPS Lieutenants
                        Lieutenants (POSA)

                        222 Corrections staff    95 Marshals staff                           17 Animal Control
                        under POA                under PPA                                   Staff under CEA

62 CEA, 7 Appointive                                                                                                2 CEA, 2 Appointive,
employees                                                                                                           employees

Challenges and Opportunities
Important to note, since 1971, the City of Las Vegas and Clark County have merged their police
departments to avoid duplication of services and reduce costs, requiring a change to state law.
Currently, the City of Las Vegas contributes approximately 40% of the operating budget with
Clark County providing approximately 60%. Metro Police serves the city limits of Las Vegas and
the unincorporated areas and towns of Clark County. As a result of this unique and collaborative
partnership, the importance of strong communication, collaboration, and frequent interaction for
the new Director is further amplified and vital for success in this role.

Other specific areas of importance for the Director include:

   ♦ Ability to collaborate further in a highly active local and regional structure with a variety
     of stakeholders (i.e. judicial system, elected officials, partner agencies, and other local
     government entities beyond Metro PD);

   ♦ Manage a diverse portfolio of responsibilities within the Department of Public Safety and
     appropriately manage and communicate through assigned staff in each division;

   ♦ Operate in an environment where public safety is heavily influenced by a large population
     base, tourism, world-wide visitors, and varied events that may increase activity level within
     the Department areas of oversight;

   ♦ Continue to provide a healthy environment to house and manage pre-trial detainees and
     sentenced inmates;

   ♦ Manage and operate in a highly unionized environment with multiple collective bargaining
     agreements; and

   ♦ Lead the recruitment, selection, and training of sworn and non-sworn personnel in a highly
     competitive local employment market.

The Ideal Candidate
Candidates for this position must be an experienced public safety executive with knowledge of and/or direct experience overseeing corrections
and other related functions that comprise the Department of Public Safety. The ideal candidate for this position will be well-versed in
leading and managing various public safety programs at the executive level. Additionally, strong interpersonal and communication skills
complemented by a proven record of collaboration with a wide range of local and regional stakeholders are considered essential for success
in this position.
Also, the ideal candidate for this position will have a professional career history that demonstrates the ability to manage and lead an
organization with considerable independence, integrity, and best practices, consistent with the high standards expected by the City of Las
Vegas.
Other executive competencies desired in the ideal candidate include:
  ♦ Establishing Trust: Noticing, interpreting, and anticipating others concerns and feelings; creating opportunities for collaborative,
    respectful dialogue; showing trust in others first and holding self and others accountable for words and behaviors that build community;
    using face to face communication as a primary means to build trust within the organization.
  ♦ Communicating Clarity: Developing and communicating goals in support of the city mission, vision, and purpose; clarifying direction
    of work, roles, and expectations for successful attainment of objectives.
  ♦ Providing Recognition: Identifying and recognizing employees at all levels for their ideas, work, and achievements; providing
    opportunities for both formal and informal recognition within the organization; creating a culture of peer recognition and encouragement.
  ♦ Reinforcing Organizational Health: Routinely reviewing existing processes, practices, and policies to ensure a balance in the ability
    to work productively and efficiently with employee needs for empowerment and development; changing processes, practices, and
    policies when necessary to achieve the balance; establishing regular professional development time for each employee so they have
    opportunities to attend classes and other activities to enhance their professional growth; meeting regularly with employees.
  ♦ Thinking Globally: Finding effective solutions and prioritizing problems using holistic, “big picture” thinking; putting the needs of
    the broader organization or community ahead of the needs of an individual department or community; developing and analyzing both
    short- and long-term impacts of decisions.
  ♦ Business and Political Acumen: Having expertise in technical, political, and budgetary leadership responsibilities; preparing and
    presenting complex concepts and proposals in a respectful, collaborative, understandable way to build community; comparing competing
    priorities and agendas looking for ways to establish a win/win solution whenever possible; speaking at community events and to the
    media to enhance the city’s reputation and standing with the broader community.
  ♦ Community Engagement: Identifying and working with different communities, whether internal, external or both, to achieve city
    mission, vision and purpose; including groups of stakeholders in decisions that affect them, directly or indirectly, whenever possible to
    do so; acting on decisions and strategies developed through community engagement.

Experience, Education and P.O.S.T. Certification
Experience: Six years of increasingly responsible experience in corrections, criminal justice, public administration, or a related field, including
two years of administrative and management responsibility.
Education: Equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university with a major in corrections, criminal justice, public
administration, or a related field.
P.O.S.T. Certification: Applicants must possess current P.O.S.T. certification in the State of Nevada at the time of application or demonstrate the
ability to obtain reciprocity within a reasonable period.

Compensation and Benefits
The salary range for the Director of Public Safety is from $112,951 to $180,724 annually. Placement within the salary range will be determined
by candidate’s qualifications and experience as deemed appropriate by the Chief of Public Safety and the City Manager as appropriate.
The City offers an excellent benefits package that includes the following:
Vacation: Accrued to a maximum of 250 hours.
Sick Leave: Accrued to a maximum of 480 hours.
Holidays: Twelve (12) days annually.
Medical, Prescription, Dental, and Vision Insurance and Related Coverages:
  ♦ Covered the first of the month following date of employment. Five medical plans, two dental, and two vision plans are available. City pays
    100% of employee premium + 50% of dependent premium.
  ♦ Annual Health and Educational Wellness Reimbursement plan: may apply for reimbursement up to $2,000 annually for out of pocket health
    and wellness expenses and specified educational expenses.
  ♦ Flexible Spending Accounts: IRS – pre-tax contributions for reimbursement of health and/or dependent care related expenses.
  ♦ Annual Physical Exams: If covered by a City health plan, eligible for a comprehensive wellness physical exam annually at no cost at
    WellTrac (also for covered spouse and dependents over age 18).

Retirement:
  ♦ The Director position with DPS is considered “promotional” under NVPERS – which means that a new employee in that position would
    need two years prior coverage under the Police/Fire fund in the State of Nevada in order to hold the position and qualify for such coverage
    under that fund. Any employee not meeting that standard would be covered under the “regular” NVPERS retirement plan.
  ♦ Five years’ minimum service credit required to be eligible for a vested benefit, plus age requirements. NVPERS is a defined benefit plan; the
    City of Las Vegas does not require direct payroll-deducted employee contributions.
Deferred Compensation Plan:
  ♦ The City offers a 457(b) and a 401(a) Plan, which is a deferred compensation plan similar to a 401(k) plan; it offers both pre-tax and after-
    tax savings and investment options, and specified matching funds from the City - from $4K up to $7K annually after five years of service;
    vested upon five years of service.
Life and AD&D Insurance:
  ♦ City provides $100,000 life and AD&D insurance at no cost.
  ♦ Additional voluntary life insurance and AD&D insurance available for purchase.
Disability Insurance:
  ♦ City provides short-term disability at no cost – City pays 100% of base salary for up to 90 days of qualified medical disability.
  ♦ City provides long-term disability insurance at no cost – Benefits begin after 90 days of disability. Payment is up to 70% of earnings, up to
    $15,000/month.
Uniform Allowance:
  ♦ Currently $1,500 annually.

                                      Residents in Las Vegas, Nevada enjoy a very favorable tax
                                      structure where there is no state income tax and the overall
                                      tax burden is one of the lowest in the nation. Housing costs
                                      are still favorable compared to other parts of the country
                                      and property tax is lower than many other jurisdictions.
                                      Additionally, employees of the City of Las Vegas do not
                                      participate in Social Security (no payroll deduction for this
                                      is made) except for the mandated Medicare portion.

To Apply
Resumes and qualifications will be evaluated upon receipt. Candidates are encouraged to apply immediately and are strongly encouraged to apply
prior to Monday, August 31, 2020 as this recruitment may close at any time a pool of qualified applicants is received.
Ralph Andersen & Associates will conduct preliminary screening interviews with qualified candidates throughout the month of August. Those
advancing further in the process will be invited to participate in panel interviews (Round 1) conducted using video technology. Follow-up
interviews (Round 2) will occur shortly thereafter and will be done in-person with social distancing safeguards in place. Ideally, the selected
candidate will join the City of Las Vegas during October 2020 (or a mutually agreed upon date) based on successful completion of the required
P.O.S.T. background check. Out-of-state candidates may need to anticipate a later start date due to a potential delay with the P.O.S.T. backgrounds
during COVID-19.
Candidates are requested to submit a compelling cover letter and comprehensive resume for consideration to apply@ralphandersen.com. This is
a confidential process and references will not be contacted until mutual interest has been established.
Confidential inquiries are welcome to Ms. Heather Renschler, Project Director. Other members of the Search Team include former Police Chief
Bryan Noblett (retired) and Mr. John Slaughter, Senior Consultant. All members of the Search Team are available for a confidential discussion by
contacting scheduling@ralphandersen.com or (916) 630-4900.

        The City of Las Vegas, Department of Public Safety is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer.