Public Safety (Security) Officer I - Armed

Advocate Health•Elgin, IL

5d•$23 - $34•Onsite

About The Position

The Public Safety Officer I provides armed security services at Sherman Hospital in Elgin, Illinois, using a professional, fair, compassionate, and customer-service-oriented approach. The officer helps maintain a safe and welcoming environment for patients, visitors, and teammates by patrolling the facility and grounds, enforcing safety and security rules, responding to incidents and emergencies, investigating events, and working collaboratively with hospital departments and law enforcement. This is a full-time, third-shift position with a four-day workweek consisting of two 8-hour shifts and two 12-hour shifts, with rotating weekends off. The role involves responding to workplace violence, combative or threatening behavior, and other urgent situations; using de-escalation and, when necessary, authorized force; supporting emergency preparedness and response; and maintaining required training and competency with department-issued equipment. Officers also provide security awareness education, assist with traffic and crowd control, and complete accurate incident reports. The position requires carrying an authorized firearm while on duty and meeting applicable Illinois licensing and qualification requirements. The work requires regular patrolling on foot and by vehicle, interaction with people in emotionally charged situations, and the ability to intervene physically when necessary. Officers may encounter a range of workplace hazards and must use protective clothing when required.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED.
Typically, one year of experience in security, a related public safety field, or customer service, including responding to emergencies and identifying and resolving risks to patients, visitors, teammates, or property.
Obtain the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety Security Officer Healthcare Certification (CHSO) within two years of appointment; recertification is not required.
For Illinois teammates: possess a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) issued by the Illinois State Police, meet Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation licensing requirements, and obtain a Firearm Control Card (FCC) for Proprietary Personnel within 90 days of hire.
Possess a valid driver’s license.
Become certified in conducted energy weapon use, such as TASER, within 90 days of hire and periodically thereafter.
Illinois teammates must have completed the State of Illinois 40-hour armed course with semi-automatic pistol endorsement.
Be willing to carry a department-authorized firearm while on duty.
Illinois teammates must annually achieve a score of at least 70% on the State of Illinois Mandatory Annual Active Duty and Retired Officer Handgun Qualification Course of Fire, unassisted. Probationary officers must complete range qualification within their 90-day probationary period and attend the first qualification date within that period.
Successfully pass a background investigation, drug screen, post-offer pre-placement physical and psychological screening assessment, and applicable pre-employment and periodic assessments.
Demonstrate emotional intelligence, empathy, compassion, respect, kindness, and commitment to patient-centered safety.
Work collaboratively with medical staff and external law enforcement and help maintain a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment.
Remain calm under pressure and exercise mature judgment and sound reasoning while dealing courteously and tactfully with people, including verbally aggressive individuals.
Quickly assess dangerous situations and take appropriate action.
Demonstrate verbal and written communication skills and communicate clearly by radio and telephone; hear communications at high and low decibel levels.
Use a computer for work documentation, including Microsoft Word, Excel, web navigation, and database entry.
Be able to defend oneself or others and physically restrain a person when de-escalation fails and circumstances warrant intervention.
Possess clear diction without impediments when communicating by radio and telephone.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of behavioral threat assessment.
Knowledge of use-of-force review.
Awareness of crime prevention through environmental design.
Ability to present material and facilitate meetings.

Responsibilities

Provide security services with professionalism, fairness, compassion, and a customer-service approach while following policies, procedures, and training.
Maintain an alert, ethical, approachable, and service-oriented presence; enforce safety and security rules and regulations; and keep department uniform and equipment in good repair.
Conduct interior and exterior patrols, inspect for vulnerabilities, hazards, and fire conditions, audit Interim Life Safety Measures, manage patient valuables, and conduct contraband searches.
Assist teammates, patients, and visitors with information, directions, and physical help; control traffic; monitor visitor conduct; and question unauthorized persons.
Prevent, respond to, and investigate workplace violence and respond to service calls involving combative or threatening patients, visitors, or teammate incidents.
Serve as a primary de-escalation resource and use authorized force when necessary, including conducted energy weapons and handcuffing.
Plan for, prevent, practice, and respond to emergencies such as lost or abducted infants or children, fires, and active threats.
Respond immediately to emergencies and crises and physically intervene in accordance with training when situations may cause injury.
Investigate incidents on Advocate Health property, complete timely and accurate reports, and escalate complaints to the appropriate leader with supporting documentation.
Conduct liaison rounds and build partnerships with departments and units; provide security-awareness education to teammates.
Coordinate and liaise with federal, state, and local law enforcement and first responders; brief and monitor law-enforcement prisoner-patient guards for policy compliance and safety.
Maintain required training in radio communications, verbal de-escalation, hemorrhage control, CPR, clinical restraints, conducted energy weapons, and department-issued equipment.
Assist with exterior traffic and crowd control, parking enforcement, valet parking, and vehicle assistance.
Use interview and interrogation tactics to obtain information about incidents.
Patrol using a community-oriented approach.

Benefits

Paid time off programs.
Medical, dental, vision, life, and short- and long-term disability benefits.
Flexible Spending Accounts for eligible health care and dependent care expenses.
Adoption assistance and paid parental leave.
Defined contribution retirement plans with employer match and other financial wellness programs.
Educational Assistance Program.
Shift, on-call, and other premium pay may be available based on the teammate’s role.
Incentive pay for select positions.
Opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
Career development and well-being programs.