Residential Safety Security Specialist

Lawndale Christian Legal Center•Chicago, IL

2d•$45,000 - $50,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Residential Safety and Security Specialist is responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, structured, and supportive environment for residents, staff, visitors, and property for Deer Housing, located at the Dr. Dennis Deer Community Justice Center, residential complex. Security Specialists are employees of Deer Housing and are expected to understand the Center’s mission, residents, policies, programming, and culture. Staff will receive Deer Housing-specific training and will be held accountable to organizational standards regarding professionalism, resident interactions, de-escalation, boundaries, documentation, confidentiality, and crisis response. This is an unarmed position. Employees in this role are not permitted to carry firearms or other unauthorized weapons while performing Deer Housing duties.

Requirements

Associates degree in human services, social work, psychology or a related field. Equivalent experience may be considered.
5+ years of personal or professional experience working with justice involved youth under 25.
5+ years of experience working with diverse populations and an understanding of the challenges faced by individuals with criminal justice involvement.
Valid Driver’s License, Insurance, and reliable transportation.
Strong judgment, situational awareness, critical thinking, de-escalation, and negotiation skills.
High level of interpersonal skills, relationship-building, and ability to relate to young people in the criminal justice system under 25.
Passion for criminal justice reform, particularly reducing incarceration for young people through supportive community alternatives.
Flexible and willingness to serve on a team.
Ability to create a culture of continuous quality improvement in service delivery and innovation;
Criminal background check and fingerprinting.
Passion for, understanding of, and commitment to LCLC’s vision and mission;

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in security, residential care, corrections, violence prevention, behavioral health, youth development, or community based violence intervention strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

Greets and assists all clients, visitors, vendors, and employees in a friendly, courteous and professional manner.
Maintain the physical safety and security of residents, staff, visitors, and the facility.
Maintain a visible and professional presence throughout the residential facility.
Conduct routine interior and exterior safety and security checks.
Monitor entrances, exits, common areas, residential areas, parking areas, and other designated locations.
Monitor security cameras and promptly respond to observed safety concerns.
Maintain appropriate access control and ensure unauthorized individuals do not enter restricted areas.
Verify visitors and follow established visitor-management procedures.
Monitor resident and visitor movement in accordance with Deer Housing policies without creating an unnecessarily restrictive or correctional atmosphere.
Identify and report environmental hazards, unsecured doors, damaged security equipment, suspicious activity, or other potential safety concerns.
Assist staff with appropriate room, common area, or facility searches when authorized and conducted in accordance with organizational policy.
Support emergency evacuations, fire response, severe weather procedures, medical emergencies, other facility emergencies.
Maintain familiarity with emergency exits, fire-safety equipment, AEDs, first-aid supplies, Narcan, emergency contact procedures, and other safety resources.
Conduct required searches of all residents entering or re-entering the residential facility in accordance with Deer Housing’s search protocol.
Conduct required searches or screening of visitors entering the facility in accordance with Deer Housing’s search policy.
Complete required documentation related to significant search findings.
Maintain resident dignity and privacy at all times.
Ensure newly arriving residents follow the Center’s established intake procedures for clothing and personal belongings before those items are brought into designated residential areas.
Enforce residents do not bypass required clothing procedures.
Inspect incoming luggage, bags, boxes, clothing, and other personal property in accordance with established intake procedures.
Continuously assess the environment for behavioral, interpersonal, and physical safety risks.
Use verbal de-escalation, active listening, redirection, appropriate positioning, and other approved interventions to reduce the likelihood of physical confrontation.
Maintain a calm, professional demeanor, during highly stressful or emotionally charged situations.
Assist with controlling the physical environment during a crisis so clinical, case management, residential, or supervisory staff can address the needs of the resident when appropriate.
Conducts safety inspections of all residential floors and room and exterior of the building.
Verify residents are accounted for and in compliance with housing rules.
LCLC anticipates there will be downtime when residents are participating in training, working off site, or sleeping. Other job responsibilities may be assigned during these times to support other programs or administrative services as needed for the organization. Additionally, duties will vary depending on the assigned shift.