Campus Safety Officer (Full-Time)

Position: Campus Safety Officer

Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt, Staff

Department: Campus Safety

Reports to: Director of Campus Safety

Compensation: $20.00 to $25.00 per hour

Position Description:

The Campus Safety Officer is responsible for providing campus safety services to the College community, which includes enforcing campus regulations, vehicle and traffic laws, local, state, and federal laws. Providing emergency response on campus and protecting life and property within the Paul Smith’s community. In addition, the Campus Safety Officer/ Staff engage in outreach and communication efforts to women and/or underrepresented student groups on campus around issues of alcohol consumption, sexual misconduct, sexual harassment, and bias-related conduct.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Patrol campus premises on foot or vehicle to ensure the safety and security of students, employees, and visitors.
• Act as the primary Campus Safety & Security telephone contact via the cell phone as needed and instructed. Maintain communication channels, utilizing scanners, two-way radio, etc.
• Identify and respond to potential security threats, suspicious activities, and safety hazards.
• Monitor access to campus buildings and facilities and ensure that only authorized individuals enter restricted areas.
• Direct traffic during peak hours, special events, or emergencies, ensuring smooth flow and pedestrian safety.
• Respond promptly to emergency calls on campus, provide first aid or assistance as needed, and coordinate with other emergency responders when required.
• Monitor access points, enforce campus policies, and address violations like trespassing, vandalism, and theft.
• Conduct security checks on buildings and facilities according to established guidelines.
• Collect evidence, interview witnesses, and file detailed reports for further action by campus authorities or law enforcement, as necessary.
• Attend safety workshops, training sessions, and awareness programs related to personal safety, fire safety, and active shooter preparedness. When appropriate, offer these trainings to other Campus Safety personnel and the broader college community.
• Maintain clear and constant communication with other Campus Safety members, campus staff, and local law enforcement to coordinate responses to incidents effectively.
• Work closely with other college offices (e.g., Student Life & Wellness, Title IX Coordinator, Facilities, Athletics, Human Resources) as needed on issues of mutual interest.
• Assist students and employees as needed with room lockouts, escorts, information requests, access to academic areas, and vehicle problems, etc.
• Check heating, lighting, sprinkling, security, ventilation, fire, etc., systems to make sure they are operational.
• Observe, report, and initiate corrective actions on safety or fire violations.
• Respond to fire alarms, ensure proper evacuation, and initiate appropriate action (i.e., incident reports).
• Regularly inspect fire extinguishers and AEDs (automatic external defibrillators) ensuring they are fully charged/operational and properly located.
• Issue and record ID badges.
• Issue appropriate tickets for parking and moving violations.
• Participate in the development of the department’s strategic and operational plans as required by department leadership. Work closely with department supervisor to develop and implement operational goals that support departmental success.
• Work with leadership and other team members to achieve successful results on all established individual and departmental goals and key performance indicators.
• Provide quality customer service (defined as friendly, courteous, respectful, and helpful) to students and all other members of the college community, as well as when representing the college to external organizations or individuals.
• May perform other duties as assigned.

Essential Skills:

• Strong interpersonal skills, flexibility, and service-oriented demeanor
• Ability to successfully conduct security patrols without direct supervision.
• Skill in providing protection services to individuals on campus.
• Ability to react calmly and effectively in emergency situations.
• Must have capacity to work independently.
• Ability to detect problems and report information to appropriate personnel.
• Communicate effectively, at times under stressful circumstances.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
• Ability to understand, follow, and enforce safety codes, regulations, and procedures.
• Ability to complete routine paperwork.

Qualifications:

Preferred:

• Associate’s degree or higher in Criminal Justice or related field.
• At least 1 year of prior experience related to campus safety and security in a higher education environment.
• Previous law enforcement, security, or military experience may be beneficial.

Minimum:

• High school diploma or GED equivalent.
• Hold a valid Driver’s License and maintain an acceptable driving record to be eligible under the College’s insurance policy.
• Must have, or be able to obtain, a State of New York Security Guard License within the first 30 days of employment.
• Ability to work with a broad range of diverse individuals and groups to form a safe and inclusive campus community.

Physical Requirements:

Environmental Conditions:

• Work is consistently performed both indoors and outdoors in all weather conditions.
• Occasional exposure to loud environments.
• This position is part of a 24/7 operation and requires the ability to work shift work, including extended shifts, overnights, evenings, weekends, and holidays, including when classes are not in session.

Lifting and Carrying:

• Moderate lifting of up to 50 pounds is routinely necessary.
• Heavy lifting and carrying of more than 50 pounds may be necessary in some emergency situations.

Mobility:

• This position requires the ability to stand, sit, stoop, bend, kneel, and crouch regularly.
• The ability to climb several flights of stairs, balance, push, pull, and occasionally run is required.

Dexterity and Hand-Eye Coordination:

• Manual dexterity for handling small office-related objects.
• Fine motor skills for work performed on laptop.
• Infrequent need to reach overhead or below shoulder level to perform work duties.

Sensory Requirements:

• Good vision, including color vision, with corrective lenses, as necessary.
• Good hearing with assistive devices, as necessary.
• Specific vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Ability to communicate verbally and non-verbally (reach, point, signal, etc.)

Paul Smith’s College is an equal opportunity employer. Position descriptions are created that focus on essential functions, using inclusive language, and avoid unnecessary or discriminatory requirements