Security Officer

The FLEX Licensed Security Officer is a fully licensed security professional who provides coverage for open shifts, vacations, call-offs, special events, emergencies, and high-traffic retail periods. FLEX Officers must be capable of working various shifts, including days, evenings, weekends, holidays, and overnight assignments as business needs require.

The FLEX Officer is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for guests, tenants, employees, and property while providing exceptional customer service in a retail shopping center environment.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct foot patrols and observe activity throughout the shopping center.
• Monitor for suspicious activity, theft, vandalism, safety hazards, and policy violations.
• Respond promptly to disturbances, emergencies, medical incidents, and customer service calls.
• Enforce rules, code of conduct policies, and trespass orders.
• Complete accurate incident reports and activity logs.
• Assist tenants and customers with directions, escorts, lost children, lost property, and general assistance.
• Monitor entrances, common areas, parking lots, and exterior property.
• Coordinate with local law enforcement, fire departments, and emergency medical services when necessary.
• Participate in emergency response procedures, evacuations, and severe weather incidents.
• Maintain professional appearance and demeanor at all times.
• Operate security equipment including radios, surveillance systems, and mobile patrol devices.

Minimum Qualifications

• Must possess a valid Illinois PERC Card (Permanent Employee Registration Card).
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• High school diploma or GED required.
• Previous security, military, law enforcement, retail loss prevention, or customer service experience preferred.
• Ability to walk and stand for extended periods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision.
• Ability to pass background screening and any additional employer requirements.

FLEX Officer Requirements

A FLEX Officer differs from a regularly scheduled security officer because they are expected to fill staffing gaps and adapt to varying operational needs.

The FLEX Officer must:

• Be available to work multiple shifts, including first, second, third shift, weekends, and holidays.
• Accept short-notice scheduling assignments when operationally feasible.
• Work various posts throughout the property as directed.
• Cover vacations, call-offs, leaves of absence, special events, and emergency staffing shortages.
• Maintain familiarity with all security procedures and locations on the property.
• Demonstrate the ability to quickly adapt to different assignments and staffing needs.
• Serve as a dependable backup resource for management during peak shopping periods and critical incidents.

Retail Environment Expectations

In a retail environment, FLEX Security Officers are expected to:

• Provide a highly visible security presence to deter theft and criminal activity.
• Monitor juveniles and enforce parental accompaniment policies when applicable.
• Respond to shoplifting incidents and coordinate with law enforcement when necessary.
• Manage crowd control during promotions, holiday shopping periods, special events, and product releases.
• Address disruptive behavior, loitering, solicitation, and unauthorized vendors.
• Monitor for safety issues such as spills, maintenance hazards, and fire code violations.
• Maintain positive customer relations while enforcing policies professionally.
• Support tenant concerns and provide rapid response to service requests.

Preferred Skills

• Strong customer service abilities.
• Excellent report writing skills.
• Conflict de-escalation experience.
• Emergency response knowledge.
• Crowd management experience.
• First Aid, CPR, and AED certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

• Continuous walking and standing throughout assigned shifts.
• Ability to climb stairs and access multiple levels of the property.
• Ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds.
• Ability to work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.