Associate Specialist, Security

Merck; Elkton (VA); On-site; USD 59,000 - 93,000; Full time

Job summary

Merck is seeking an Operational Shift Team Lead for Emergency Response, Safety & Security. The role oversees daily emergency response, safety, and security operations across the site, including fire protection, hazardous materials coordination, loss prevention, and related services.

You will conduct audits to identify risks, enforce site security requirements, and manage shift turnovers. The position requires 12-hour shifts including weekends and holidays, with opportunities to lead

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Firefighter I-III, EMT, CPR/First Aid certifications required.

Responsibilities

• Oversee shift operations and ensure tasks are completed per site procedures.
• Act as on-shift point of contact for safety, emergency, and security incidents.
• Perform routine fire inspections and maintain protection equipment.
• Coordinate security response and collaborate with external responders.
• Direct training for department personnel and Emergency Response Team members.

Skills

Emergency Response

Firefighting

Hazardous Materials

Incident Command

Interpersonal Communication

High-Stress Environments

Microsoft Office

Education

High School Diploma or GED

Firefighter I-III Certification

EMT Certification

CPR and First Aid Certification

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Job Description

Operational Shift Team Lead — Emergency Response, Safety & Security

Job Description

Operational Shift Team Lead — Emergency Response, Safety & Security

Leads daily emergency response, safety, and security operations across the site, including fire protection, hazardous materials coordination, loss prevention, project support, and related services. Conducts audits and surveys to identify risks and evaluate controls. Enforces site requirements for property security, access, traffic, parking, and employee conduct. This role requires shift work, including weekends and public holidays.

Primary Responsibilities

Operations

• Oversee shift operations to ensure tasks are completed efficiently and in compliance with site procedures.
• Conduct thorough shift turnovers to brief incoming teams on ongoing issues and special instructions.
• Maintain operating logs and records to document equipment and system performance.
• Ensure good housekeeping in all areas of responsibility.

Emergency Response

• Serve as the on’shift point of contact for safety, emergency, and security incidents.
• Conduct initial assessments and investigations for smoke, odor, chemical/biological spills, fire/smoke conditions, alarm notifications, and other abnormal situations; initiate appropriate response actions.
• Respond to emergency calls involving hazardous materials and assess the situation upon arrival.
• Perform fire suppression duties in industrial environments, using specialized equipment and techniques as required.
• Contain, clean up, and facilitate disposal of hazardous materials according to regulations and standard operating procedures.
• Operate specialized equipment, such as protective suits, respirators, and testing instruments.
• Act as Incident Commander for plant emergencies, maintain compliance with OSHA and NFPA requirements.
• Coordinate with outside agencies responding to site emergencies; support site medical emergency response when required.
• Perform elevator and confined space rescue as required.

Fire Protection & Equipment

• Perform routine fire inspections, fire system shutdowns, and fire panel resets.
• Inspect buildings for fire hazards and confirm the presence of proper fire protection and emergency equipment.
• Conduct scheduled inspections and testing of fire pumps, fire extinguishers, hoses, and related equipment; record and report test results.
• Perform maintenance on firefighting and fire protection equipment (e.g., rotating and inspecting extinguishers); report and correct minor defects.
• Ensure fire trucks, powered equipment, and firefighter gear are tested and maintained per departmental guidelines.
• Support fire protection tests and exercises (e.g., use of fire water, equipment displays, ventilation, washdowns).

Security

• Act as a security contact and guide; respond to and assist with potential security incidents on site.
• Operate and maintain plant security systems and programs.
• Troubleshoot site badging and access systems and respond appropriately to alarm conditions.
• Coordinate security response and collaborate with security personnel and external responders.

Training & Team Development

• Direct, conduct, and coordinate training for department personnel, Emergency Response Team members, volunteers, and employees.
• Deliver specialized training per the master training schedule or as instructed (e.g., fire extinguisher use, emergency procedures).
• Participate in drills and exercises to maintain proficiency in response procedures.
• Pursue ongoing education to stay current on regulations, safety procedures, and equipment.

Reporting & Collaboration

• Notify pertinent personnel promptly during incidents and take immediate action to protect personnel, facilities, records, and materials.
• Consult with and advise departments to provide engineering input and ensure projects and plans conform with environmental and regulatory requirements.

Qualifications

Required Education & Certifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Firefighter I, II, or III certification.
• Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification.
• Current CPR and First Aid certification.

Required Experience & Skills

• Minimum 7 years’ experience as a professional or volunteer firefighter, preferably in an officer role.
• Physically capable of performing all job tasks.
• Confined Space Rescue training.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Teams, Outlook) and web-based programs.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; ability to work across multiple assignments with contract and site personnel at all management levels.
• Ability to operate effectively under high‐stress conditions and work indoors and outdoors in varied weather.

Preferred Experience & Certifications

• Hazmat Technician certification.
• NFPA 25 certification (Inspection, Maintenance and Testing of Water-Based Fire Protection Systems).
• OSHA General Industry and/or Construction training.
• High Angle Rescue and advanced Confined Space Rescue training.
• Experience with industrial utility systems (air, steam, high voltage).
• VA Emergency Vehicle Operator Certification (EVOC) or equivalent.
• Commercial Driver’s License (CDL).
• Certified Protection Officer (IFPO), Certified Protection Professional (ASIS), Certified Security Supervisor (IFPO)
• National Incident Management System (NIMS) ICS 100, 200, 300, and 700
• Experience in Work Place Violence / Active Assaillant Response
• Experience interacting with local, state, and federal agencies
• Experience managing contracted professionals and vendors
• Crisis management experience, including Incident Command or Emergency Operations Center (EOC) leadership

Compliance & Special Requirements

• Able to work under cGMP guidelines.
• Availability to provide off‑shift mitigation and support during chemical cleanups.
• Ability to work 12‑hour rotating shifts, including holidays and weekends; overtime as required.

#MSJR

Required Skills

Conducting Investigations, Conducting Investigations, Confined Space Training, Contingency Planning, Contract Management, Contractor Management, Elevator Maintenance, Emergency Response, Field Force Management, Fire Code, Fire Drills, Firefighting, Firefighting Equipment, Fire Investigations, Fire Prevention, Fire Safety Management, First Aid, Government Regulation, Hazardous Materials, Hazardous Waste Disposal, Incident Reporting, Interpersonal Relationships, IT Security Standards, Lease Administration, Maintenance Documentation {+ 9 more}

Preferred Skills

US And Puerto Rico Residents Only

Our company is committed to inclusion, ensuring that candidates can engage in a hiring process that exhibits their true capabilities.

Requirements

As an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, we provide equal opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, or other applicable legally protected characteristics. As a federal contractor, we comply with all affirmative action requirements for protected veterans and individuals with disabilities. For more information about personal rights under the U.S. Equal Opportunity Employment laws, visit:

EEOC Know Your Rights

EEOC GINA Supplement

We are proud to be a company that embraces the value of bringing together, talented, and committed people with diverse experiences, perspectives, skills and backgrounds. The fastest way to breakthrough innovation is when people with diverse ideas, broad experiences, backgrounds, and skills come together in an inclusive environment. We encourage our colleagues to respectfully challenge one another’s thinking and approach problems collectively.

Learn more about your rights, including under California, Colorado and other US State Acts

Salary

The salary range for this role is

$59,100.00 - $93,000.00

This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, government requirements, and business or organizational needs.

The successful candidate will be eligible for annual bonus and long‐term incentive, if applicable.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits. Available benefits include medical, dental, vision healthcare and other insurance benefits (for employee and family), retirement benefits, including 401(k), paid holidays, vacation, and compassionate and sick days. More information about benefits is available at https://jobs.merck.com/us/en/compensation-and-benefits.

Job Posting End Date

09/5/2026

• A job posting is effective until 11:59:59PM on the day BEFORE the listed job posting end date. Please ensure you apply to a job posting no later than the day BEFORE the job posting end date.

Requisition ID

R413534