Public Safety (Security) Officer

Advocate Health • Milwaukee, WI

1d • $22 - $33

About The Position

The Public Safety (Security) Officer provides professional, compassionate, customer-service-oriented security services in accordance with department policies, procedures, and training. The officer helps maintain a safe, welcoming, and therapeutic environment for patients, visitors, and teammates through patrols, emergency response, de-escalation, investigations, education, and collaboration with internal departments and external agencies.

The role includes interior and exterior patrols; identifying security vulnerabilities, hazards, and fire conditions; managing patient valuables; conducting contraband searches; assisting with directions and physical needs; controlling traffic; monitoring visitor conduct; and addressing unauthorized persons. Officers prevent, respond to, and investigate workplace violence and service calls, and serve as a primary resource for de-escalation. Physical intervention and use of force, including conducted energy weapons and handcuffing, may be required in accordance with training.

Officers plan for and respond to emergencies such as missing or abducted infants or children, fires, and active threats. They investigate incidents on Advocate Health property, complete timely and accurate reports, escalate complaints, conduct liaison rounds, provide security-awareness education, and coordinate with law enforcement and first responders. They also oversee law-enforcement prisoner-patient guards for policy compliance and assist with parking, valet, traffic, and crowd control.

The position is full time, 40 hours per week, with an 11 p.m.–7 a.m. schedule and rotating weekends and holidays. The listed pay range is $21.85–$32.80.

Requirements

• High school graduate or GED.
• Typically, one year of experience in security, related public safety, or customer service, including responding to emergencies and identifying and resolving risks to patients, visitors, teammates, or property.
• Obtain Security Officer Healthcare Certification (CHSO) from the International Association for Healthcare Security and Safety within two years of appointment; recertification is not required.
• Valid driver’s license issued by a Division of Motor Vehicle.
• Illinois teammates must complete the State of Illinois 20-hour Basic Security Officer course.
• Illinois teammates must have a Firearm Owners Identification Card (FOID) issued by the Illinois State Police.
• Wisconsin teammates must have a Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW) license issued by the Department of Justice.
• Become certified in conducted energy weapon (e.g., TASER) use within 90 days of hire and periodically thereafter.
• Demonstrate above-average emotional intelligence and empathetic, compassionate responses to teammate, visitor, and patient incidents.
• Work respectfully and kindly with teammates and contribute to a supportive work environment.
• Commit to patient-centered safety practices and collaborate with medical staff and external law enforcement as appropriate.
• Remain calm under pressure and help maintain a safe, welcoming, therapeutic environment.
• Interact with peers with positive intent and develop solutions through collaboration.
• Successfully pass a background investigation, drug screen, and pre-placement physical after offer of employment.
• Sit, stand, walk, and drive throughout the workday; occasionally lift up to 35 pounds and push or pull with 35 pounds of force.
• Have 20/20 vision in both eyes, or vision correctable to 20/20 with corrective lenses in both eyes.
• Be physically fit to walk facility and grounds areas, restrain individuals when needed, and assist clinical teammates with lifting patients of all sizes.
• Be able to handle personal stress and possible violence and frequent exposure to aggressive behavior and emotionally charged situations.
• Wear protective clothing as necessary when exposed to mechanical, electrical, chemical, explosive, or radiation hazards.
• Operate all equipment necessary to perform the job.

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.
• Maintain an approachable, professional appearance and demeanor; remain alert and ethical; comply with and enforce safety and security rules; and maintain department uniform and equipment.
• Conduct interior and exterior patrols and 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, service calls, and incidents involving combative or threatening patients, visitors, or teammates.
• De-escalate incidents and use force when necessary, including conducted energy weapons and handcuffing, in accordance with training.
• Plan for, practice, and respond to emergencies, including lost or abducted infants or children, fires, and active threats.
• Respond immediately to emergencies and crises and physically intervene, in accordance with training, when injury may occur.
• Investigate incidents on Advocate Health property, complete timely and accurate reports, and address or escalate complaints with supporting documentation.
• Conduct liaison rounds, build partnerships with departments and units, and provide security-awareness education to teammates.
• Liaise with federal, state, and local law enforcement and first responders; coordinate, brief, and monitor law-enforcement prisoner-patient guards for policy compliance and safety.
• Maintain department training standards in radio communications, verbal de-escalation, hemorrhage control, CPR, clinical restraints, conducted energy weapon use, and department-issued equipment and training requirements.
• Assist with exterior traffic and crowd control, parking enforcement, valet parking, and vehicle assistance.

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.
• Competitive compensation, premium pay such as shift and on-call pay where applicable, incentive pay for select positions, and opportunity for annual performance-based increases.
• Career development programs and well-being programs.

What This Job Offers

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