Security Practitioner (J1026-0305)

Queen's University; Kingston; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, is seeking a Security Practitioner for Campus Security and Emergency Services (CSES). You will support the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors under supervision, participate in investigations, and help maintain a secure campus environment 24/7 with rotating shifts and on-call coverage.

The role emphasizes collaboration, adherence to laws and university policies, and proactive engagement in safety initiatives across campus.

Qualifications

• Post-secondary education in security and/or law enforcement or equivalent with related experience.
• Current Private Security & Investigative Services Branch Security Guard Licence, in good standing.
• Familiarity with Criminal Code of Canada, Trespass to Property Act, Youth Criminal Justice Act, Liquor Licence Act, and Queen’s University Student Code of Conduct.
• Understanding of equity, diversity and inclusion practices.
• Knowledge of campus layout, structures and procedures is an asset.
• Experience with radio and alarm systems is an asset.
• Emergency management and mental health training are assets.
• Valid Ontario Class G driver's licence with clean abstract.
• First Aid and CPR certification.
• Criminal record check is satisfactory.
• Equivalent combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Responsibilities

• Perform duties under the Private Security and Investigative Services Act and university policies.
• Assist Supervisors in campus security at major events and demonstrations.
• Inform Supervisors of emergencies and incidents and aid in campus safety.
• Engage with the campus community to foster safety through events and patrols.
• Patrol campus premises to deter mischief and secure doors, windows, and grounds.
• Maintain visible presence and issue warnings; apprehend or evict violators when needed.
• Document daily activities and incidents accurately in the records system.
• Collect statements and evidence and assist victims; refer to appropriate agencies as needed.
• Provide on-site assistance to victims and refer to Human Rights Office as appropriate.
• Respond to alarms and incidents (criminal, fire, medical) and support responders.
• Conduct personal safety escorts and manage access to buildings as warranted.
• Provide on-the-job training to patrollers and contract security.
• Participate in committees and speaking engagements; support ERC/ Supervisor duties.
• Undertake other departmental duties as required.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication

De-escalation

Observational skills

Incident response

Education

Post-secondary education in security/law enforcement

First Aid & CPR certification

Criminal Record Check

Tools

Two-way radio systems

Alarm systems (intrusion, fire, mechanical)

Job description

The mandate of Campus Security and Emergency Services (CSES) is to promote a safe and welcoming environment that recognizes and is respectful of the diverse nature of the Queen's University Community.

Reporting to the Managers, CSES, however receiving daily direction from the Security Supervisor (Supervisor), the Security Practitioners (Practitioner) are responsible for the safety and security of university faculty, staff, students and visitors under the Supervisors’ direction and to protect university property. The Practitioner follows the policies and procedures set by the university’s security program and complies with all applicable regulations and laws to ensure the safety of the campus. In addition, the Practitioner assists the Supervisors in investigations, preparing statements of observations and collecting evidence while understanding the need to be respectful to victims, students, faculty, staff, and visitors.

Committed to equity, diversity and inclusion, and in a collaborative team environment, the Practitioner interacts with students, faculty, staff, visitors, and community partners providing holistic security for the university. They accomplish this by being involved with internal and external committees and positively engaging the campus community by attending events and performing foot patrols.

Providing an essential service to the university Community on a 7/24/365 basis, the Practitioner will work rotating shifts and irregular overtime, sometimes at short notice, including covering for staff who are sick or in response to emergency situations.

Job Description

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform work in accordance with the provisions of the Private Security and Investigative Services Act and regulations.
• Assist the Supervisors in executing the campus security plan at major university events, including but not limited to Orientation Week, Homecoming, Christmas Shutdown, St. Patrick’s Day, and expected or unplanned demonstrations.
• Inform Supervisor when there are emergencies and major incidents and assist to ensure the safety of students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the university.
• Foster a culture of campus community engagement through positive interaction with the university community by attending and engaging at events and conducting patrols.
• Patrol university premises to prevent and detect signs of mischief and ensure security of doors, windows, gates, and the general grounds.
• Maintain a visible presence on campus and provide valid warnings to students, faculty, staff, and visitors, who create disturbances, and apprehend or evict violators if required.
• Accurately document and update all relevant facts required concerning daily activities and incidents into the CSES records management system and ensure Patroller reports are included, as required.
• Under the supervision, of the Supervisor, collect statements and evidence, which may be referred to the police, providing on-site assistance to victims and referring them to the appropriate agency for post-trauma care.
• Understand the importance of human rights; where appropriate refer victims to the university’s Human Rights Office.
• Respond to incidents as directed on campus including alarms (fire, intrusion, environmental, mechanical etc.), criminal incidents (violence, assault, sexual assault, trespass, theft, etc.), emergencies and mental health crises and provide assistance to the responding Security Supervisor or external agencies (fire, police, ambulance) to resolve, mitigate or diffuse a situation.
• Conduct personal safety escorts for members of the university community on campus and authorize entry or exit to and from university buildings, offices, labs, parking lots, etc. when circumstances are warranted.
• Provide on-the-job training to Patrollers as per established CSES training procedures; as well as provide training and guidance to contract security when required.
• Participate on various internal and external committees as assigned by the Director, CSES (Director).
• Participate in speaking engagements to groups at the university.
• Perform the duties of the ERC operator once trained, as assigned.
• Perform the duties of Supervisor once trained, as assigned.
• Undertakes other duties in support of the department as required by the Director or Managers.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Post-secondary education in security and/or law enforcement or equivalent combined with previous experience in a related field, preferably in a university or institutional environment.
• Current Private Security & Investigative Services Branch Security Guard Licence with the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, and in good standing.
• Must be familiar with and able to enforce the provisions of the Criminal Code of Canada, the Trespass to Property Act, the Youth Criminal Justice Act, the Liquor Licence Act and the Queen’s University Student Code of Conduct.
• Understanding of non-discriminating practices and issues of equity and diversity, such as accessibility, faith requirements, gender identity, and cultural differences.
• Knowledge of the university campus, organizational structure and procedures would be considered an asset.
• Experience with two-way radio systems and alarm systems including intrusion, fire, and mechanical would be considered an asset.
• Training in Emergency Management, Critical Incident Stress Management and Mental Health training would be considered an asset.
• Possess a valid Class G Ontario Driver’s Licence, and provide a clear driver’s abstract.
• Certified in First Aid and CPR.
• Satisfactory Criminal Record Check.
• Consideration may be given to an equivalent combination of education and experience.

SPECIAL SKILLS:

• Ability to work as a member of a team within a group.
• Excellent communication skills (verbal and written).
• Strong interpersonal skills, and a positive attitude while conducting themselves in a pleasant, responsive professional manner.
• Ability to maintain composure while dealing with incidents, multiple priorities, and in emergencies to effectively assist with resolving the situation.
• Possess good judgment and common sense and be able to de-escalate confrontational situations with students, faculty, staff, and visitors to campus.
• Able to immediately consider strategies to resolve incidents effectively in a wide variety of situations, some involving physical danger to the Security Practitioner or others.
• Ability to use discretion and good judgment in dealing with sensitive or confidential information, including the ability to discern when sensitive issues should be referred to the Supervisors, Managers or the Director.
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully in a socially and culturally diverse community.
• Ability to adhere to strict confidentiality.
• Proficiency in the use of computers, including word processing, spreadsheet and other software application programs.
• Ability to climb stairs and walk approximately 8- 12 km per shift in all weather conditions.
• Ability to work rotating shifts and irregular overtime, sometimes at short notice, including covering for staff who are sick or in response to emergency situations at the university.

DECISION MAKING:

• Ability to make decisions and handle security related incidents that could involve life threatening situations, without on-site direction from superiors.
• Ability to make recommendations to the Security Supervisor on how to handle a situation based on the known facts observed during an incident.
• Determine when an incident requires the Supervisor to attend or needs to be notified.
• Determine whether or not to grant access to faculty, staff, students and visitors to the university facilities.
• Research and make recommendations regarding CSES procedures, community engagement, and equipment purchases to the Supervisors, Managers, and Director; help implement change.