Security Officer

General Summary: The Security Officer is a significant position responsible for representing the organization and providing a safe and secure environment for all internal and external customers and enforcing all policies at The Maryland Zoo. Additionally, the Security Officer will support the Zoo’s mission to save wildlife and protect wild places and contribute to its environmental, social, governance sustainability, conservation, education, and DEAI (Diversity, Equity, Accessibility, and Inclusion) goals.

Hours of Shift: 9:30 AM - 5:30 PM

Essential Functions:

Primary Functions:

• Responsible for rotating throughout all buildings, grounds and all animal areas and reporting suspicious conditions or unusual occurrences to Security Captain or Supervisor either in a vehicle or on foot;
• Respond to all requests for first aid, CRP, and/ or AED from guests or employees;
• Attend to the needs of the individual requesting assistance in a calm, professional, and ethical manner;
• Respond to security related incidents occurring on zoo property, set the tone of enforcement in interactions, mitigate and defuse situations;
• Respond to all alarms as dispatched;
• Lead and manage all employee or guest related incidents, providing detailed investigative information, witnesses, and accurate location(s) on reports;
• Responsible for ensuring work related incidents are reported, investigated, appropriate medical attention is sought and appropriate departments are contacted;
• Responsible for maintaining records of employee or guest related incidents including after-hours calls;
• Responsible for providing guest control, including challenging situations;
• Participate in a rotation on the Dispatch post located in the Security office which will include, but is not limited to, monitoring all Zoo activity, and deploying fellow Security officers to the scene of activity as needed; facilitating 911 calls and centralized Code Alpha and Code Beta communication needs; monitoring and communicating severe weather conditions; coordinating cab transportation for employee related incidents and accidents; and documenting and recording activities as appropriate;
• Practice good safety awareness and ensure guest safety at all times;
• Perform other related duties as assigned by management;
• Ensure all company policy and procedures are followed; and,
• Adhere to all policies and procedures of the Zoo.

Communication (Internal and External):

• Responsible for communicating effectively with staff and the public regarding standard operating procedures;
• Work closely with contracted temporary services and staff to ensure adherence to all Zoo policies and procedures;
• Write and investigate required shift and accident reports on employees, guests, and shift activities;
• Submit written reports, without exception, of all incidents and activities occurring on Zoo property and in the immediate perimeter area (includes parking lot);
• Monitor radios to ensure effective communication;
• Contact an appropriate Security staff member necessary to resolve security issues by radio contact as needed to communicate information; 
• Attend meetings and represent the Zoo on various committees; and,
• Maintain confidentiality and integrity of information disclosed, accidentally discovered or communicated as an Officer, with or without specific instruction to do so, of employees, guests, volunteers, etc.

Management of Resources (Financial, Human Resources, Facilities):

• Assist in organizing breaks for all assigned employees while ensuring adequate staffing levels to control attendance flow; and,
• Coordinate with other departments as necessary to fulfill any needs related to special event requests and departmental training.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Hospitality:
• Friendly and outgoing;
• Possess a positive and patient attitude; and,
• Possess excellent verbal communication skills.

Education:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience/Training:

• Must be at least 21 years old;
• Two years of security related experience;
• Good working knowledge of security operations in a business environment;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office software, including Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word;
• Must possess or able to successfully complete basic first aid, CPR and AED training within a month of hire date and maintain these certifications set forth by the American Red Cross or equivalent association;
• Valid driver’s license;
• Must possess a Security Guard Certificate

Working Conditions:

• Must be able to stand and remain active for an eight-hour shift; Must be capable to stand or walk for long periods of time (approximately 100% of their shift);
• Must be able to travel or walk large areas of the Zoo as needed;
• Ability to patrol and monitor 125 acres on foot in all weather conditions;
• Must be able to work in an outdoor weather environment in all seasons and weather, including heat/humidity, cold temperatures, and/or wet conditions;
• Ability to work a flexible schedule to include weekends, holidays, and special events; Ability to work all shifts and schedules including overtime;
• Must be able to exert up to 50 pounds of force to lift, push, pull, carry, or otherwise move objects; and,
• Exposure to potential environmental hazards such as poison oak/ivy, uneven terrain, insect bites/stings, and Hepatitis B depending on the position; and,
• Exposure to Zoonotic diseases and risk of animal attack.

Equipment:

• Must be able to operate a variety of machines and equipment including computer, copier, fax, scanner, telephone, two-way radio, golf carts, and vehicles.

Traits Desirable:

• Ability to work with individuals from a wide variety of ethnic, cultural and economic backgrounds;
• Deals with uncertainty, sound judgment, integrity, safety management, professionalism, and reporting skills;
• Strong organizational and communication skills;
• Ability to make independent judgment decisions within Zoo policy and procedures; and,
• Ability to handle non-routine tasks and adapts to changing circumstances.

Benefits:

• We offer an excellent benefits package including 24 days of Paid Time Off (PTO), Sick and Safe Leave, and 2 paid holidays.
• Eligible for medical, dental, vision, short- and long-term disability, and life insurance.
• 401(k) with employer match.

Disclaimer:

The statements above are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification.  They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all personnel so classified.  Therefore, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change.