Safety and Security Officer 1

Safety & Security Officer

Primary duties and responsibilities of the Safety & Security Officer 1 include, but are not limited to:

• Security patrols, on foot or by vehicle, in order to detect evidence of irregularities and deter criminal activity.
• Perform environmental searches and maintain security in a State Agency, Facility, or Community Residence.
• Inspect building to ensure that all areas are appropriately locked, secured, and free of hazardous conditions.
• Maintain communication by radio, P.A., or telephone for routine and emergency needs.
• Question suspicious persons.
• May direct vehicular and pedestrian traffic.
• Enforces state, municipal and institution laws, rules, and regulations.
• Instructs employees and individuals about Emergency Fire & Safety practices and procedures.
• May operate security cameras, computers, and related electronic security equipment.
• Answers questions and gives directions to visitors.
• May occasionally arrest suspects and violators in order to protect persons and property.
• May testify in court.
• May need to conduct searches to located missing individuals.
• Responds to, investigates, and prepares detailed written reports at the scenes of fires, accidents, and other incidents.
• Summons medical assistant and applies first aid as the situation indicates.
• May physically intervene in fights and may physically restrain unruly individuals to prevent injury to others.
• Interviews victims, witnesses, complainants, and suspects in order to collect information needed to assist in criminal prosecution.
• Conducts quarterly reviews of Agency properties as assigned by supervisor to ensure compliance with NYS Uniform and/or Life Safety code, and Agency rules and regulations.
• Daily and/or overnight travel within the Region, and to other Regions within the State may be required.
• May be involved in emergency management through planning, implementing, and assessing disaster plans.
• Performs other related duties to ensure the safety and security of individuals, property, and grounds.

Minimum Qualifications:

• OPEN COMPETITIVE:
• Safety & Security Officer Trainee: High School Diploma or High School Equivalency Diploma or similar equivalency such as a General Education Development Certification or higher degree.
• Safety & Security Officer 1: High school or equivalent diploma and one year of experience patrolling, inspecting, and monitoring buildings, grounds, and equipment to identify and resolve safety and security hazards and risks, deter criminal activity, and ensure compliance with local, State, and federal laws, rules, and regulations.
• In addition, candidate:
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be a United States Citizen and a resident of New York State.
• Must pass a medical examination administered by the Department of Civil Service's Employee Health Services, which includes an agility test.
• Must undergo a thorough background investigation to determine suitability for appointment. Conviction of a felony will bar appointment; conviction of a misdemeanor or other violation of law may bar appointment. Background investigation includes fingerprinting for both state and federal identification records check. Candidates may also be required to be cleared through the New York State Child Abuse Register.
• Must have a driver's license valid in New York State. A conditional license is not acceptable.
• Ability to work effectively within the treatment team.
• Ability to act independently.
• Ability to meet and maintain criminal background and physical standards.
• Ability to accurately observe and document conditions relating to welfare and security.

Additional Comments:

This title is part of the New York Hiring for Emergency Limited Placement Statewide Program (NY HELPS). HELPS Program titles may be filled via a non-competitive appointment. This means that you do not need to take an exam to qualify, but you do need to meet the minimum qualifications of the title. At a future date (within one year of permanent appointment), employees hired under NY HELPS are expected to have their permanent non-competitive employment status converted to permanent competitive status. You will not have to take an exam to gain permanent competitive status. Appointments may also be made at the Safety and Security Officer Trainee level. Candidates hired at the entry-level title (Safety and Security Officer Trainee 1) may be advanced to the full-performance level (Safety and Security Officer 1) following satisfactory completion of one year of service. Salary range listed below encompasses the hiring rate of a Safety and Security Officer Trainee 1 through the job rate of a Safety and Security Officer 1. If you are currently a New York State employee serving in a permanent competitive qualifying title and eligible for a transfer via Section 70.1 of the Civil Service Law, you may be appointed to this title as a permanent competitive employee. Preference will be given to OPWDD employees impacted by closures. If you are being impacted by closure, please indicate this on your resume. All OPWDD employees must be eligible and maintain eligibility for full and unconditional participation in the Medicare and Medicaid programs. Continued employment will depend on maintaining eligibility. If you are employed by state government you may be able to receive loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF). The PSLF Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after 120 qualifying monthly payments have been made under a qualifying repayment plan while working full-time for a qualifying employer. For more information on PSLF, please visit Employees on long term leave can bid on positions but must be able to report to work within fourteen (14) days and be able to perform the essential functions of their positions with or without reasonable accommodation (RA). If an employee or job applicant believes that they need a reasonable accommodation, they should contact the Reasonable Accommodation Unit at View phone number on click.appcast.io or email View email address on click.appcast.io to obtain information and RA forms. Savings programs such as the U.S. Savings Bond and the College Savings Plan. Voluntary pre-tax savings programs such as Health Care Spending Account and the Dependent Care Advantage Account offer employees options to pay for uncovered health care expenses or dependent care expenses. Access to the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) an assessment and referral service that connects employees with local service providers and support services to address their personal needs. Life insurance and Disability insurance. The New York State Deferred Compensation Plan is a voluntary retirement plan that offers employees the option to invest a part of their salaries for retirement on a tax-deferred basis. Paid Holidays and Leave: Thirteen (13) paid holidays each year. Thirteen (13) days of paid vacation leave initially. Five (5) days paid personal leave each year. Thirteen (13) days of paid sick leave each year (PEF/CSEA), which may carry over from year to year. Up to three (3) days professional leave each year to participate in professional development events. Health Care Coverage: Employees and their eligible dependents can choose from a variety of affordable health insurance programs. Employees are provided family dental and vision plans at no extra cost. Paid Parental Leave: Paid Parental Leave allows eligible employees to take up to 12 weeks of paid leave at full pay for each qualifying event. A qualifying event is defined as the birth of a child or placement of a child for adoption or foster care. Retirement Program: Participate in The NYS Employees' Retirement System (ERS), which is recognized as one of the best-managed and best-funded public retirement systems in the nation. Professional Development and Education and Training: NYS offers training programs and tuition assistance to eligible employees to maintain and increase their professional skills and prepare them for promotional opportunities. For more information, please visit Additionally, the Public Service Workshops Program (PSWP) offers certain professional training opportunities for PEF represented and M/C designated employees that may grant continuing education credits towards maintaining professional licensure. For more information, please visit OPWDD is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer dedicated to creating and sustaining a culture of inclusion. We believe that we are most effective in managing and improving our service system with a diverse team of employees. With such a large workforce, we rely on the collective individual differences, life experiences, knowledge, self-expression, ideas and talent that our employees bring to their work. This speaks to our culture and is a key part of our successes. As we continuously recruit people for our team, we welcome the unique contributions that applicants bring in terms of their education, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, veteran's status, color, religion, disability, sexual orientation and beliefs. All people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.