Security Officer

Description

At Westminster College, we believe in immersive and enriching experiences that inspire creative thinking and problem solving. We believe in creating opportunities for several different paths to success over a lifetime and the potential to make an impact from wherever you are. For our students, we do this by providing real-world, hands-on learning opportunities, small class sizes, and talented professors dedicated to the individual. Our employees often remark that our tight-knit community creates an atmosphere fostering campus involvement that adapts to all interests. As a result, Westminster continues to be recognized for its excellence in higher education as one of the best small liberal arts colleges in the Midwest.

The Security Officer is responsible for helping provide a safe and secure environment for students, employees, visitors, and guests of Westminster College. Security Officers provide campus coverage through foot and vehicle patrols, building checks, access control, emergency response, incident reporting, event security, and other campus safety functions. Officers are expected to maintain a visible and professional presence, respond promptly to calls for service, exercise good judgment, and follow College policies, Security Department procedures, post orders, and supervisory direction.

Security operations are conducted 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Officers may be assigned to days, evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, holidays, and special events based upon the operational needs of the College.

Requirements

Essential Functions:

The statements below are intended to describe the principal duties of the person assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties and responsibilities. 

• Conducts regular foot and vehicle patrols of campus buildings, residence halls, parking lots, grounds, and other college property.
• Responds to routine and emergency calls for service, including medical emergencies, fire and trouble alarms, suspicious activity, disturbances, student welfare concerns, property damage, and other safety or security concerns.
• Contacts and assists law enforcement, fire, emergency medical services, and other emergency responders when appropriate.
• Completes accurate, objective, timely, and thorough incident reports, daily activity logs, and other required Security Department documentation.
• Immediately communicates significant, unusual, or emergency incidents through the established notification process.
• Conducts assigned patrols, checkpoints, building checks, campus unlocks and lockups, and verifies assigned areas are properly secured.
• Provides authorized access to campus buildings, classrooms, offices, residential areas, and other secured locations in accordance with college policies and Security Department procedures.
• Monitors security cameras, alarm systems, electronic access control systems, emergency phones, and other security systems as assigned.
• Answers the Security Department telephone, documents calls for service, and provides appropriate assistance or response.
• Assists with fire alarms, fire drills, severe weather, evacuations, shelter procedures, safety inspections, and other emergency preparedness activities.
• Provides security for college events, athletic events, student activities, and other special events. Duties may include access control, identification checks, bag checks, crowd observation, parking and traffic control, and restricted-area security.
• Assists with enforcing college policies and appropriately documents suspected violations for review by college administration.
• Maintains professional interactions with students, employees, visitors, and guests and recognizes situations requiring assistance from a supervisor, college administrator, or emergency responder.
• Protects confidential and sensitive information obtained through security duties, reports, security systems, student information, or other college records.
• Properly uses and maintains assigned Security Department vehicles, radios, keys, access credentials, and other equipment.
• Identifies and reports on safety hazards, damaged property, unsecured doors, lighting problems, maintenance concerns, and malfunctioning equipment.
• Participates in required training, meetings, exercises, and emergency preparedness activities.
• Maintains familiarity with campus buildings, roads, parking areas, emergency equipment, shelter locations, restricted areas, and other locations necessary to perform assigned duties.
• Performs other security, safety, emergency response, and college-related duties as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Education: High school diploma or equivalent required. Additional education or training in criminal justice, emergency management, security, or a related field preferred.

Experience: Must be at least 21 years of age at the time of employment. Must possess and maintain a valid driver's license and meet college requirements for operating college vehicles. Previous experience in security, law enforcement, military service, emergency response, higher education, or a related field preferred.

Skills:

• Must possess effective communication, interpersonal, observation, and report-writing skills. Must be able to use computers, telephones, and two-way radios and follow written policies, post orders, emergency procedures, schedules, and verbal instructions.
• Must demonstrate sound judgment, reliability, professionalism, and the ability to remain effective during emergencies, confrontational situations, and other stressful conditions. Officers must be able to work independently while recognizing situations requiring supervisory or emergency assistance.

Benefits:

• Medical, dental, and vision options
• Health Savings Account and/or Flex Spending Account
• Supplemental options: Short-term disability, Hospitalization, Accident, and Critical Illness
• Stand-alone EAP program
• Life, AD&D, and long-term disability
• Retirement 403(b) plan
• Tuition remission or exchange programs
• Sick and Vacation time
• Paid Holidays (15+ each year)

Westminster College encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and employment. The College is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. The College does not discriminate in access to, treatment of, or employment in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, citizenship, veteran status, marital status, disability, or genetic information.

Inquiries about compliance with this prohibition should be directed to:

Associate Vice President & Chief HR Officer/Title IX Coordinator

501 Westminster Ave, Washington West, 2nd floor

Fulton, MO 65251

HR@Westminster-mo.edu

573-592-5226