Public Safety Officer I - Full-Time, Evening Shift

Tufts Medicine • Melrose, MA

5d • Onsite

About The Position

Melrose/Wakefield Hospital, part of the Tufts Medicine system, is hiring a Public Safety Officer I to support the day-to-day protection and security of hospital assets and information and the safety of people on hospital property. Under general supervision, the officer conducts proactive patrols of hospital buildings and grounds, responds to routine and emergency calls, acts as an immediate responder to crisis situations, and documents safety and security incidents in accordance with department policies and procedures.

This is a full-time position at Melrose/Wakefield Hospital in Melrose, Massachusetts. The schedule is 40 hours per week on the evening shift, 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., with every-other-weekend and holiday rotation requirements. The role involves responding to emergencies, supporting patient crisis interventions, identifying and addressing security vulnerabilities and safety hazards, assisting with investigations, and providing courteous service to patients, visitors, and staff.

The position requires frequent standing and walking, stair climbing, lifting, wearing personal protective equipment, and occasional exposure to outdoor elements, hazardous materials, and radioactive substances during patrols. Long or irregular hours and unanticipated overtime or holdovers may be required to maintain minimum staffing. The role may also involve potential injury risks during the eviction of unauthorized persons or restraint of violent patients.

The hospital offers competitive salaries and benefits starting on day one, a 403(b) retirement plan with hospital match, opportunities for growth, tuition reimbursement, and free parking. The pay range is $21.53–$26.91 based on full-time equivalent; individual offers consider experience, certifications, education, skills, and internal equity.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid state-issued driver’s license.
• Obtain IAHSS Basic Healthcare Security Officer certification within one year of hire. Incumbents as of September 1, 2025, have one year from that date to obtain certification.
• Proficient in communicating, reading, and writing in English.
• Basic computer skills.
• Ability to multitask and meet established deadlines.
• Ability to assess potentially dangerous situations quickly, make sound decisions, and take appropriate action based on available information.
• Emotional maturity, dependability, punctuality, diplomacy, tact, poise, self-confidence, and a positive approach.
• Trustworthy, helpful, friendly, courteous, and disciplined.
• Ability to stand and/or walk for eight hours, climb multiple flights of stairs, and lift 50 pounds alone.
• Ability to wear personal protective equipment, such as masks, gloves, or eye protection, as required.
• Ability to work long, irregular, and odd hours, including possible unanticipated overtime and holdovers.
• Ability to work in confined or open environments and independently or as part of a team.
• Frequent contact with patients, visitors, and employees; some exposure to outdoor elements and to areas containing hazardous materials and radioactive substances during patrols.
• Ability to perform duties that may involve potential injury during eviction of unauthorized persons or restraint of violent patients.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree in Criminal Justice or a related area.
• Experience in the military, security, or police.
• Security or first-responder certifications, such as de-escalation/crisis response, CPR/AED, Stop the Bleed, or Nasal Naloxone Certification.
• Graduation from an approved law enforcement training program or Police Academy and possession of, or ability to obtain, a valid POST Certification from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a valid Massachusetts License to Carry Firearms.

Responsibilities

• Conduct internal and external patrols of hospital facilities and grounds; monitor for suspicious activity and screen vendors and visitors.
• Respond to routine and emergency calls for service, building alarms, and situations involving restraint of violent patients or visitors.
• Provide escorts to patients, visitors, staff, and others according to established procedures.
• Identify security vulnerabilities, safety hazards, and policy violations; take corrective action when possible, collaborate on resolution, report deficiencies, and document required follow-up.
• Take appropriate action during patient crisis interventions, using the least invasive measures possible to achieve safe outcomes.
• Check that employees and other appropriate members of the hospital community display visible hospital identification badges, and courteously engage people without visible identification.
• Grant access to locked areas and buildings to authorized staff and restrict access to people without authorized business on campus.
• Use trained intervention skills, including verbal and nonverbal de-escalation, while maintaining composure in stressful circumstances.
• Provide professional, courteous, and respectful customer service to patients, visitors, and staff.
• Participate in and coordinate investigations, conduct interviews, review recorded video, prepare case files, and catalog and secure evidence as required.
• Assist with emergencies and disasters, including crowd control and evacuations, as directed by supervisors.
• Impartially identify and resolve problems, concerns, issues, and conflicts by obtaining necessary facts.
• Prepare accurate and comprehensive incident reports for incidents on hospital property and comply with established procedures.
• Request supervisor or fellow-officer support when warranted.
• Maintain collaborative relationships with peers and colleagues and contribute to a positive work environment.
• Complete department training requirements and courses.

Benefits

• Competitive salaries and benefits starting on day one.
• 403(b) retirement plan with hospital match.
• Opportunities for growth.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Free parking.
• Comprehensive Total Rewards package supporting health, financial security, and career growth.

What This Job Offers

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