Lead Security Officer - Various Shifts

Trinity Health Corporation•Syracuse, NY

70d•$28 - $38

About The Position

The Lead Security Officer at St. Joseph's Health is responsible for providing leadership and oversight to the security team while maintaining uniformed security services in a high-risk behavioral health environment. This role requires advanced training and experience in law enforcement, mental health crisis intervention, and workplace violence prevention. Officers must demonstrate exceptional situational awareness, de-escalation skills, and trauma-informed approaches to ensure the safety of patients, staff, and visitors. While being armed is preferred, it is not required for this position. This position involves working with individuals who have severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) and co-occurring substance use disorders (MICA). Challenges may include mood changes such as depression, irritability, paranoia, hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thoughts. These conditions can result in increased incidents of violence, especially when substances like synthetic cannabinoids or PCP are involved. Officers must recognize emotional dysregulation, lack of coping mechanisms, and social determinants of health such as homelessness, food insecurity, and criminality. Understanding these factors is critical to safely engaging and de-escalating individuals in crisis.

Requirements

High School Diploma/GED
Valid NYS Driver's License
Valid NYS Security Guard License (Armed or Unarmed)
5 years of Law Enforcement experience, OR
3 years of supervisory experience in military, armed security, or healthcare security, OR
3 years as a THNY Senior Security Officer, OR
5 years as a THNY Unarmed Security Officer
IAHSS Basic Security Certification (within 90 days of hire)
IAHSS Workplace Violence Prevention Certificate Program (within 1 year of hire)
FEMA IS-100c (within 90 days of hire)
BLS Certification (upon hire or within 3 weeks)
DCJS Crisis Intervention Team (CIT) Training - 40-hour curriculum focused on mental health crisis response or equivalent
Defensive Tactics Training in both lethal and less-than-lethal force options
Strong understanding of NYS Penal Law, Criminal Procedure Law, and NYS Mental Hygiene Law, including procedures for §9.41 emergency interventions/arrests

Nice To Haves

NYS Armed Security Guard License and NYS Pistol Permit (Psychological evaluation required prior to armed status)
Associate's degree or completion of DCJS Basic Course for Police Officers
5+ years of law enforcement experience with 3+ years of supervisory experience at Sgt or above
Training in Motivational Interviewing, Mental Health First Aid, and SCIP
DCJS Defensive Tactics Instructor Certification
Completion of the full series of DCJS Advanced Crisis Intervention Training, including:
Fundamental Crisis Intervention Skills for Law Enforcement - Instructor Level Training
Participation in scenario-based training and team-teaching formats with mental health professionals

Responsibilities

Provide leadership and supervision to security officers during assigned shifts
Conduct security rounds and fixed post assignments
Respond to calls for service and emergencies
Perform searches and threat assessments
Complete investigations and incident reports
Operate surveillance and access control systems
Maintain confidentiality and professionalism
Participate in covert investigations and security details
Ensure compliance with departmental policies and procedures
Mentor and train junior officers in behavioral health response and de-escalation techniques.
Other duties as assigned