Department of Public Safety Project Specialist

The Lansing School District serves over 10,000 PreK-12 students across 25 school buildings in the increasingly diverse urban community of Lansing, MI. We are unique compared to other districts because of the wide variety of exciting and innovative educational options from which families and staff members can choose. All of Lansing School District’s team members are dedicated to our mission to provide an excellent education to all students in a safe and nurturing environment.
The Lansing School District seeks a highly organized, detail-oriented, and systems-focused Project Specialist to join our Department of Public Safety. This critical role supports the Director of Public Safety by managing key operational tasks, including payroll, budgeting, PA-330 compliance, and emergency management system updates across the entire district. The ideal candidate will possess strong project management skills, experience in policy development, and a proven ability to modernize outdated systems and improve processes.  This role will report to the Department of Public Safety Central Office Manager.

Qualifications - Education

• Bachelor’s degree in business administration, public safety, or a related field required
• Master's degree in business administration, public policy, or organizational leadership preferred

Qualifications - Experience

• Any experience in project management required
• 3+ years in project coordination, operations, or administration preferred
• Proven experience in developing and implementing policies and procedures.
• Familiarity with payroll processing and budget management in an organizational setting.
• Experience working in environments that require compliance with safety protocols, preferably in public safety or education.
• Experience in managing systems improvement and modernization, including collaboration with IT and Human Resources.

Qualifications - Skills

• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with payroll systems, budgeting software, and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Ability to analyze and improve operational workflows, introducing automation where needed.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaborating across departments.
• Knowledge of public safety procedures, including emergency management, PA-330 compliance, and drill mandates.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines.

Sample Job Responsibilities

• Project Management:
• Assist with the planning, coordinating, and executing projects assigned by the Director of Public Safety.
• Work closely with the Central Office Manager to ensure projects meet timelines and align with department and district goals. 
• Policy and Procedure Development:
• Create, update, and maintain new and existing policies and procedures for the Department of Public Safety. 
• Ensure that policies align with best practices, district regulations, and state compliance requirements. 
• Collaborate with district stakeholders to implement new policies effectively across all relevant teams and departments. 
• Payroll and Budget Administration:
• Manage payroll processing for department personnel, ensuring accuracy and compliance with policies. 
• Monitor departmental budgets, process invoices, and prepare financial reports. 
• Collaborate with the finance department to track spending and ensure budgetary alignment.  
• PA-330 Compliance Coordination:
• Ensure all Public Safety officers meet PA-330 certification and recertification requirements. 
• Maintain certification records, track schedules, and organize training sessions with the training coordinator.    
• Emergency Management System Updates:  
• Oversee the review, update, and modernization of emergency management protocols for the entire district. 
• Coordinate district-wide updates, including physical security systems like alarm codes, building maintenance schedules, and emergency equipment checks. 
• Ensure all schools meet state-mandated drill requirements (e.g., fire, lockdown, and severe weather drills). 
• Manage the development and maintenance of building emergency maps, ensuring accuracy and accessibility for staff and emergency responders. 
• Collaborate with principals, building managers, and IT to streamline these processes.  
• Systems Improvement & Modernization:
• Assess current payroll, budgeting, and compliance systems for inefficiencies and recommend improvements. 
• Work with IT to transition outdated systems to modern platforms, introducing automation where possible. 
• Develop and document workflows to streamline department functions and improve operationa