Security Officer II

TX-HHSC-DSHS-DFPS•Mexia, TX

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at each stage of your life and work journey. The state supported living centers serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who are medically fragile or who have behavioral problems. The centers provide campus-based direct services and supports at 13 centers located throughout the state. The Security Officer II is responsible for maintaining a secure and protective environment at the Mexia State Supported Living Center by observing and taking action and reporting incidents or security violations involving the residents and initiating emergency response as appropriate. This role involves monitoring alarms and surveillance cameras, patrolling the buildings and grounds, checking badges or proper identification at facility gates/entrances, and handling after-hours emergency calls to enhance the safety of facility residents, employees, and visitors. The Security Officer II is responsible for the dissemination and coordination of emergency responses and information, and notification to facility management and law enforcement if appropriate, in the event of emergency and/or security violation situations. Other duties include performing monthly fire extinguisher inspections in all buildings, identifying unfamiliar persons on campus and within homes/buildings as captured on surveillance cameras and during routine patrols, and ensuring appropriate lighting for the safety of residents, staff, and visitors. The position may also involve training other security officers. This role operates within a facility serving individuals who have complex needs and may exhibit aggressive and/or self-injurious behaviors, working under general supervision with moderate latitude for initiative and independent judgment. Completion of work requires the use of established methods and/or techniques, and decisions are varied but based on well-defined guidelines.

Requirements

Knowledge of the building or premises security, use of surveillance equipment, and of the rules and regulations pertaining to building admissions and exits, and of alarm devices.
Skill in oral and written communication, including writing incident and other investigative reports.
Ability to communicate with potentially aggressive residents, visitors, and employees.
Ability to patrol grounds, detect danger, and take appropriate action.
Physical ability to walk extensively, run occasionally, and assist in restraining during an emergency.
Ability to drive a state-vehicle.
Ability to prepare concise reports.
Ability to train others.
Ability to remain calm, reasonable, and react quickly in an emergency situation.
Skill in defusing potentially difficult situations.
Skill in monitoring and assessing situations and determining appropriate response.
Knowledge of basic traffic and parking regulations.
Must possess valid Texas driver’s license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date.
Eligible driving record required based on HHSC Fleet Management policy.
High School diploma, GED, or 12 months of work experience is required.
Applicants must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aide, Medication Aide and Employee Misconduct and HHS List of Excluded Individuals/ Entities (LEIE).
Males between the ages of 18 – 25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
All State Supported Living Center Employees are subject to Random Drug Testing.
All applicants must be at least 18 years of age to be considered for employment at a state-operated facility.

Nice To Haves

Work experience in security, law enforcement, or military is preferred.
Work experience with people with intellectual or developmental disabilities or mental health issues is preferred.

Responsibilities

Maintain a secure and protective environment by observing, taking action, and reporting incidents or security violations involving residents, initiating emergency response as appropriate.
Monitor alarms and surveillance cameras in state supported living center/state hospital buildings for unauthorized persons, fires, and unusual occurrences and incidents, reporting emergencies immediately upon discovery.
Report abuse, neglect and/or exploitation allegations through proper channels if suspected during surveillance camera monitoring.
Conduct routine patrols of buildings and grounds, taking appropriate action upon discovery of unauthorized persons or activities.
Check badges or proper identification at facility gates/entrances.
Handle after-hours emergency calls that would enhance the safety of facility residents, employees, and visitors.
Disseminate and coordinate emergency responses and information, and notify facility management and law enforcement personnel, if appropriate, in the event of emergency and/or security violation situations.
Perform monthly fire extinguisher inspections in all buildings.
Identify unfamiliar persons on campus and within the homes/buildings as captured on surveillance cameras and during routine patrols.
Ensure appropriate lighting for the safety of residents, staff, and visitors.
Respond to all fire alarms and investigate the cause of alarm, taking any emergency action if necessary in accordance with training received.
Assist with fire drills and other proactive life safety checks as directed.
Assist in the apprehension of suspects, where reasonably possible, in cases of unauthorized entry into buildings and work areas, malicious mischief, or other violations.
Prepare timely and accurate documentation relative to emergencies and/or security violations.
Evaluate and make recommendations for changes to security regulations.
Train, coach, and mentor new security officers as needed.
Attend and participate in all mandatory training to meet requirements, maintain job-competence, and develop professionally.
Actively participate and/or serve in a supporting role to meet the agency’s obligations for disaster response and/or recovery or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require an alternate shift pattern assignment and/or location.
Attend work on a regular basis and may be required to work a specific shift schedule or, at times, even a rotating schedule, extended shift and/or overtime in accordance with agency leave policy and performs other duties as assigned.