Lead Security Officer

University of Maryland Medical System; Glen Burnie (MD); On-site; USD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Maryland Medical System is seeking a seasoned Lead Officer to manage high-risk incidents, coordinate resources, and serve as the primary liaison between frontline officers and supervisory command.

You will deliver advanced behavioral health support, perform real-time risk assessments, and ensure operational continuity until relief, while mentoring officers and ensuring scene integrity.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or GED required.
• Two (2) years security experience preferred.
• Completion of an approved de-escalation course on crisis intervention required within 90 days from starting.
• Valid driver’s license required for all individuals hired into this role.

Responsibilities

• Performs core security functions: patrolling, monitoring access points, responding to routine calls, and enforcing policies.
• Lead officer during complex incidents in absence of supervisor, maintaining operational continuity.
• Direct and coordinate officers during emergencies, including behavioral health crises and high-acuity events.
• Lead initial response efforts to campus-impacting incidents with scene control and timely communication.
• Conduct real-time situational and risk assessments and advise leadership on response posture.
• Provide crisis leadership and de-escalation during patient interactions in coordination with clinical teams.

Job description

Serves as the lead officer during complex, high-risk, or multi-unit incidents. Perform all officer duties with expanded authority, judgment, and responsibility using informal leadership. Directs operational responses, coordinating resources, and acts as the primary liaison between frontline officers and supervisory command. Delivers advanced behavioral health support, conducts real-time risk assessments, and ensures operational continuity until relieved.

Job Requirements

Serves as the lead officer during complex, high-risk, or multi-unit incidents. Perform all officer duties with expanded authority, judgment, and responsibility using informal leadership. Directs operational responses, coordinating resources, and acts as the primary liaison between frontline officers and supervisory command. Delivers advanced behavioral health support, conducts real-time risk assessments, and ensures operational continuity until relieved.

Primary Responsibilities

The following statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job responsibilities performed.

• Performs all core security functions, including patrolling assigned areas, monitoring access points, responding to routine calls for service, and enforcing organizational policies to maintain a safe and secure environment.
• Serve as lead officer during complex, high-acuity, or multi-unit incidents when a supervisor is not immediately present, maintaining operational continuity until relieved by higher authority.
• Direct and coordinate officers during emergency responses, including behavioral health crises, elopements, assaults, child abductions, trauma activations, and disruptive events using informal supervisory authority.
• Lead initial response efforts for significant or campus-impacting incidents, ensuring scene control, prioritizing actions, and maintaining timely communication with supervisory command.
• Conduct real-time situational and risk assessments for high-risk or rapidly evolving events, communicating recommended response posture and resource needs to leadership.
• Provide advanced behavioral health crisis leadership by guiding officers through complex patient interactions, applying de-escalation strategies, and collaborating with clinical teams.
• Support high-risk patient escorts, transfers, and 1:1 details for psychiatric, behavioral health, trauma, and Department of Correction patients in coordination with clinical and supervisory staff.
• Assist with campus-level emergency operations, including violent incidents, mass-casualty activations, fire alarms, hazardous conditions, and helipad/ambulance operations.
• Monitor restricted and high-risk areas (e.g., Gamma Knife, Hyperbaric Chamber, NRC-regulated zones), ensuring compliance with access protocols and reporting breaches promptly.
• Support security technology operations by identifying system issues, assisting with troubleshooting, and ensuring proper documentation and chain-of-custody practices.
• Preserve scene integrity, gather preliminary information, and review incident reports for accuracy prior to supervisory approval; does not conduct formal investigations.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners—including clinical leadership, law enforcement, EMS, and fire departments—during incidents to ensure coordinated responses.
• Provide informal mentoring and guidance to officers on response tactics, professionalism, report writing, and situational awareness; does not conduct formal evaluations.
• Ensure morgue and special handling procedures are followed during assigned activities, supporting respectful transport and accurate documentation of deceased patients.
• Maintain expert knowledge of policies, legal considerations, and emergency procedures, consistently modeling professionalism, composure, and service excellence.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Work Experience

Education & Experience - Required

• High School Diploma or equivalent (GED)
• Two (2) years security experience
• Completion of an approved de-escalation course on crisis intervention required within 90 days from starting in position.
• Valid driver’s license is required for all individuals hired into this role on or after April 1, 2026.

Education & Experience - Preferred

• Heart Saver, CPR, Stop the Bleed and/or Narcan training
• Hospital or healthcare experience

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of hospital security operations, emergency management principles, and coordination of complex or multi-scene incidents.
• Ability to conduct real-time situational and risk assessments during high-acuity events and communicate recommended actions to supervisory leadership.
• Strong communication skills for effective coordination with clinical teams, law enforcement, EMS, fire departments, and interdisciplinary partners.
• Demonstrated ability to provide field-level leadership and guidance to officers during behavioral health crises and other high-risk incidents without formal supervisory authority.
• Expert proficiency in crisis leadership, de-escalation techniques, and patient/staff safety interventions in collaboration with clinical personnel.
• Ability to lead initial incident response, maintain operational situational awareness, and ensure accurate radio communications until relieved by higher authority.
• Skill in reviewing incident reports and safety documentation for clarity, accuracy, and completeness prior to supervisory approval.

Ability to support restricted-area and high-risk operations by enforcing access protocols and escalating compliance or safety concerns appropriately.