Lead Security Officer

University of Maryland Medical System•La Plata, MD

9d•$23 - $32

About The Position

Serves as the lead officer during complex, high-risk, or multi-unit incidents. Perform all officer duties with expanded authority, judgment, and responsibility using informal leadership. Directs operational responses, coordinating resources, and acts as the primary liaison between frontline officers and supervisory command. Delivers advanced behavioral health support, conducts real-time risk assessments, and ensures operational continuity until relieved. This role performs all core security functions, including patrolling assigned areas, monitoring access points, responding to routine calls for service, and enforcing organizational policies to maintain a safe and secure environment. The Lead Security Officer serves as the lead during complex, high-acuity, or multi-unit incidents when a supervisor is not immediately present, maintaining operational continuity until relieved by higher authority. They direct and coordinate officers during emergency responses, including behavioral health crises, elopements, assaults, child abductions, trauma activations, and disruptive events using informal supervisory authority. The role leads initial response efforts for significant or campus-impacting incidents, ensuring scene control, prioritizing actions, and maintaining timely communication with supervisory command. Conducts real-time situational and risk assessments for high-risk or rapidly evolving events, communicating recommended response posture and resource needs to leadership. Provides advanced behavioral health crisis leadership by guiding officers through complex patient interactions, applying de-escalation strategies, and collaborating with clinical teams. Supports high-risk patient escorts, transfers, and 1:1 details for psychiatric, behavioral health, trauma, and Department of Correction patients in coordination with clinical and supervisory staff. Assists with campus-level emergency operations, including violent incidents, mass-casualty activations, fire alarms, hazardous conditions, and helipad/ambulance operations. Monitors restricted and high-risk areas (e.g., Gamma Knife, Hyperbaric Chamber, NRC-regulated zones), ensuring compliance with access protocols and reporting breaches promptly. Supports security technology operations by identifying system issues, assisting with troubleshooting, and ensuring proper documentation and chain-of-custody practices. Preserves scene integrity, gathers preliminary information, and reviews incident reports for accuracy prior to supervisory approval; does not conduct formal investigations. Collaborates with internal and external partners—including clinical leadership, law enforcement, EMS, and fire departments—during incidents to ensure coordinated responses. Provides informal mentoring and guidance to officers on response tactics, professionalism, report writing, and situational awareness; does not conduct formal evaluations. Ensures morgue and special handling procedures are followed during assigned activities, supporting respectful transport and accurate documentation of deceased patients. Maintains expert knowledge of policies, legal considerations, and emergency procedures, consistently modeling professionalism, composure, and service excellence. Performs all other duties as assigned.

Requirements

High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)
Two (2) years security experience
Completion of an approved de-escalation course on crisis intervention required within 90 days from starting in position.
Valid driver’s license is required for all individuals hired into this role on or after July 1, 2026.

Responsibilities

Perform all core security functions, including patrolling assigned areas, monitoring access points, responding to routine calls for service, and enforcing organizational policies to maintain a safe and secure environment.
Serve as lead officer during complex, high-acuity, or multi-unit incidents when a supervisor is not immediately present, maintaining operational continuity until relieved by higher authority.
Direct and coordinate officers during emergency responses, including behavioral health crises, elopements, assaults, child abductions, trauma activations, and disruptive events using informal supervisory authority.
Lead initial response efforts for significant or campus-impacting incidents, ensuring scene control, prioritizing actions, and maintaining timely communication with supervisory command.
Conduct real-time situational and risk assessments for high-risk or rapidly evolving events, communicating recommended response posture and resource needs to leadership.
Provide advanced behavioral health crisis leadership by guiding officers through complex patient interactions, applying de-escalation strategies, and collaborating with clinical teams.
Support high-risk patient escorts, transfers, and 1:1 details for psychiatric, behavioral health, trauma, and Department of Correction patients in coordination with clinical and supervisory staff.
Assist with campus-level emergency operations, including violent incidents, mass-casualty activations, fire alarms, hazardous conditions, and helipad/ambulance operations.
Monitor restricted and high-risk areas (e.g., Gamma Knife, Hyperbaric Chamber, NRC-regulated zones), ensuring compliance with access protocols and reporting breaches promptly.
Support security technology operations by identifying system issues, assisting with troubleshooting, and ensuring proper documentation and chain-of-custody practices.
Preserve scene integrity, gather preliminary information, and review incident reports for accuracy prior to supervisory approval; does not conduct formal investigations.
Collaborate with internal and external partners—including clinical leadership, law enforcement, EMS, and fire departments—during incidents to ensure coordinated responses.
Provide informal mentoring and guidance to officers on response tactics, professionalism, report writing, and situational awareness; does not conduct formal evaluations.
Ensure morgue and special handling procedures are followed during assigned activities, supporting respectful transport and accurate documentation of deceased patients.
Maintain expert knowledge of policies, legal considerations, and emergency procedures, consistently modeling professionalism, composure, and service excellence.
Perform all other duties as assigned.