Community Service Officer

NEIU • Chicago, IL

12d • Onsite

About The Position

The Community Service Officer (CSO) protects the campus community through proactive prevention and outreach strategies, using community-oriented service and problem-solving techniques. The role routinely engages the community in programming intended to identify and reduce behavioral and criminal conduct that diminishes the quality of the academic experience. The CSO works under administrative direction from a police supervisor.

The position responds to non-emergency and non-person-crime calls, prepares incident and technical reports, supports police officers during calls and with property handling or crime-scene security, and may testify in court. It performs physical security duties, including securing buildings, checking alarms, and patrolling campus on foot, bicycle, or in a patrol vehicle. The CSO also provides public assistance and information, enforces university policies, conducts outreach and crime-prevention activities, and represents the department at campus events.

Other duties may include serving as a telecommunicator or security guard as needed, managing the Evidence Room in compliance with policy and state statute, and handling program administration and monthly activity reporting. The typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., with hours subject to departmental needs. The position is in-office at the NEIU Main Campus in Chicago and is not eligible for hybrid or remote work. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available. A background check is required.

Requirements

• High school graduation or equivalent; college coursework may satisfy this requirement if high school graduation, GED, or equivalent is not listed.
• Entry-level public safety and security knowledge, skills, and abilities gained through either one year of training or work experience in security, public safety, behavioral health, or a related field, or an associate degree in one of those fields or a related field.
• Knowledge and ability in access controls, crowd control, customer service, de-escalation, emergency communication systems, emergency response, enforcement, first aid, observation, patrolling, physical restraint, security systems, and verbal and written communication.
• Applicants must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States.
• Participation in a fingerprint-based criminal background check is required.

Nice To Haves

• Valid Illinois driver’s license.
• No record of conviction of a felony or a crime involving moral turpitude.
• One year (12 months) of relevant professional work experience.

Responsibilities

• Respond to non-emergency or non-person-crime service calls and prepare written incident reports.
• Assist police officers during calls for service, property handling, and crime-scene security as needed.
• Lock and unlock university buildings and verify building security.
• Respond to fire, security, and emergency phone alarms; check the area and reset alarms when appropriate.
• Patrol campus facilities and property on foot, bicycle, or in a patrol vehicle, observing for suspicious, disorderly, or illegal activity.
• Secure evidence and property and ensure proper handling and maintenance.
• Respond to public inquiries and concerns, distribute informational materials, describe support programs, and provide direction to community assistance programs.
• Enforce university policies and guidelines, including parking enforcement and special-event rules.
• Perform traffic control, community outreach, intervention, and crime-prevention activities; represent NEIUPD at campus events.
• Serve as the on-duty telecommunicator during breaks or when the primary telecommunicator is absent, as needed.
• Serve in a security guard capacity at main or satellite campuses when needed.
• Manage the Evidence Room and ensure compliance with departmental policy and state statute.
• Interpret and explain laws and law-enforcement processes and procedures to the public.
• Operate department vehicles and equipment, including police radios and computer systems.
• Complete required incident and technical reports and respond to subpoenas and testify in court when required.
• Handle day-to-day administrative requirements of programs.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports of individual and unit work activity.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Benefits

• University employees may be eligible for State of Illinois benefits, including health, dental, and vision benefits, sick and vacation days, and participation in the State Universities Retirement System.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED