Golden West College Public Safety Officer Brian Chesmore patrols the campus during his shift. Photo credit, Armando Brown, The Orange County Regisiter.
By Eric Silkenson
Western Sun staff writer
Golden West College has been without a public safety coordinator since Brent Theobald held the position over a year ago.
The post oversees the campus safety officers and the safety and security of students at GWC. Currently the duties of the public safety coordinator have been handled by Joe Dowling, Director of Maintenance and Operations, and Janet Houlihan, Vice President of Administrative Services.
When filled the safety coordinator position works hand-in-hand with Houlihan and Dowling, so both are familiar with the duties of the position.
“The challenges are mainly administrative,” said Dowling. “Dealing with the schedules of the safety officers and the paperwork of the department.”
The school is conducting a search within the Coast Community College District first, preferring to hire from within.
“We have many qualified people working in the district,” said Houllihan. “We could have the position filled as early as the end of October and hopefully by late November.”
A memo was sent out within the district and the search began the first week of October. If a qualified applicant isn’t found among district employees, the school will look elsewhere. The school board may then authorize a job posting for applicants outside the district.
