Forensic Security Officer Supervisor

DelDOT; New Castle, Northern (DE, KY); Hybrid; USD 52,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Delaware Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) seeks a Security Officer Supervisor at Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) to oversee security personnel and maintain safety for 42 clients and 80 staff. The role operates in a 24-hour, three-shift facility with formal supervision responsibilities and liaison with clinical staff.

Experience in security within psychiatric settings, criminal background check, and a valid driver license are required.

Qualifications

• One year of experience in maintaining the security and safety of individuals and facilities.
• One year of experience interpreting and applying laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to protection of health, safety, welfare or rights of clients in psychiatric settings.
• Coursework, training and/or experience in staff supervision, including potential lead worker duties.
• Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or canceled).

Responsibilities

• Maintains control of persons and property in compliance with safety, security and order policies.
• Monitors safety of state property and staff/visitors by controlling ingress/egress at secure access points.
• Responds to internal emergencies, relays information to authorities, and monitors alarms.
• Operates intercoms and CCTV to verify access and grant sectoral access from the control center.
• Observes client behavior, de-escalates potentially violent situations and assists in detaining trespassers when needed.

Skills

Security procedures

Crisis intervention

Communication skills

Team supervision

Job description

Introduction

Make a Difference with DHSS. Our mission at the Department of Health and Social Services (DHSS) is to improve the quality of life of Delaware citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. We prioritize personal and family independence by assisting individuals and families in a variety of life areas. We offer numerous career opportunities and are dedicated to attracting and retaining highly talented individuals who are ready to make a difference in their community today. DHSS is a great place to kick-start your profession. For more information, please visit https://dhss.delaware.gov/dhss/ today!

Summary Statement

Delaware Psychiatric Center (DPC) Jane E. Mitchell (JEM) Security Officer Supervisor is tasked with overseeing security personnel. Security personnel provide security and safety for the (42) male and female clients from the Department of Correction (DOC) and 80 staff at JEM. The JEM building is a 24-hour, 3 shift staffed facility. The federal government’s Bureau of Prisons uses a numbered scale from one to five to represent the security level of prisons and jails. Level five is the most secure facility in the Criminal Justice System.

Description of Occupational Work

This class series uses three levels in the Protection and Security Services occupational group, Support Services occupational series and describes work providing protection and security services to staff, clients, and the general public within a level 5 secure state facility which houses mental health clients. Work includes monitoring and ensuring the security and safety of state property, staff and visitors. Client behavior can be combative and unpredictable. Significant aspects of the work involve the possibility of dealing with crisis and/or emergency situations including the use of physical restraint, foot patrol of the resident units, conducting room/building searches, and monitoring clients in a day hall setting during meals and in group activities. It is important to note that employees work under the direction of clinical staff and while they are trained to recognize unusual or abnormal behavior, security officers do not provide clinical observation or services. Note: This career ladder series incorporates the Forensic Security Officer I and II. The Forensic Security Officer I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels. Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with job requirements and promotional standards. Promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, sets forth the criteria that defines and describes the requirements that must be met at each level. Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency's/department's operational needs and distribution of work. The Forensic Security Officer Supervisor level, although not part of the career ladder, provides competitive opportunity for movement of employees.

Essential Functions

Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, incumbents can complete job duties of similar kind not specifically listed here.

• Maintains control of persons and property in compliance with policies relative to safety, security and orderliness.


• Monitors and ensures the safety of state property, as well as safety and location of staff and visitors by performing work such as controlling ingress and egress of people through a secure point of access, within the forensic building and units.


• Answers internal emergency call received via the facility emergency phone line, relays information to the appropriate authorities, and monitors internal alarm systems.


• Uses electronic intercom and closed-circuit camera systems to communicate with staff accurately identify and verify authorized access, granting sector by sector access from the control center.


• Observes the behavior of clients and alerts nursing and other clinical staff of behavioral changes; monitors conduct of visitors; and takes action to de-escalate potentially violent or disruptive situations.


• Responds to psychiatric emergencies involving combative clients and assists in detaining trespassers, violators and searching for missing clients.


• Responds to internal hazards, risks, fires or other emergencies.


• Makes regular rounds of the forensic buildings, units and perimeter and ensures that all safety devices on doors and windows are operable and secure.


• Conducts inspections and searches of clients, visitors, grounds and building perimeter for weapons or other contraband and takes client counts.


• Provides general information to forensic unit visitors and gives directions as required.


• May be required to prepare logs, statistical information, incident reports and use of force reports.

Job Requirements

• One year of experience in maintaining the security and safety of individuals and facilities.


• One year of experience in interpreting and applying laws, rules, regulations, policies and procedures related to the protection of the health, safety, welfare or rights of clients in a psychiatric setting.


• Coursework, training and/or experience in staff supervision, which may include performing as a lead worker overseeing the work of others.


• Possession of a valid Driver's License (not suspended, revoked or canceled, or disqualified from driving).

Conditions of Hire

• Criminal background check: A satisfactory criminal background check is required as a condition of hire. The recruiting agency may require the applicant to pay for the criminal background check as part of the conditional offer of hire.


• Pre-employment Drug Testing: Upon a conditional offer, you must undergo pre-employment drug testing as part of the hiring process.


• All new hires are required to report to the Statewide New Employee Orientation (SNEO) on their first day of employment. Sessions are held at designated locations in Kent or New Castle County.


• Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. The State of Delaware participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S. For more information refer to our Job Seeker Resources.


• DHSS does not provide employment-based sponsorship.

Benefits

To learn more about the comprehensive benefit package please visit our website at https://dhr.delaware.gov/benefits/

Selection Process

The application and supplemental questionnaire are evaluated based upon a rating of your education, training and experience as they relate to the job requirements of the position. It is essential that you provide complete and accurate information on your application and the supplemental questionnaire to include dates of employment, job title and job duties. For education and training, list name of educational provider, training course titles and summary of course content. Narrative information supplied in response to the questions must be supported by the information supplied on the application including your employment, education and training history as it relates to the job requirements. Once you have submitted your application on-line, all future correspondence related to your application will be sent via email. Please keep your contact information current. You may also view all correspondence sent to you by the State of Delaware in the “My Applications” tab at StateJobs.Delaware.gov.

Accommodations

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities in all phases of the application and employment process. Individuals who use TDD may request auxiliary aid or service by calling [phone] or by visiting delawarerelay.com. If you need assistance with an accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or general applicant support, you may call [phone] or email [e-mail]. The State of Delaware is an Equal Opportunity employer and values a diverse workforce. We strongly encourage and seek out a workforce representative of Delaware including race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression.