Professional Safety Officer

Pacific Lutheran University; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 55,765,000 - 70,847,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Generous retirement plan

Medical insurance

Paid vacation and sick leave

Major holidays off

Job summary

Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, WA is seeking a Professional Safety Officer to protect campus and people. You will patrol on foot and by vehicle, respond to emergencies, unlock buildings, and assist guests while upholding PLU policies.

The role requires 2 years of safety/security experience, a valid driver's license, First aid/ CPR/AED certification, and a strong commitment to diversity and customer service.

Qualifications

• 2 years of safety/security experience or equivalent training.
• High school diploma or GED.
• Valid driver’s license for at least 2 years.
• First aid/ CPR/AED certification provided upon employment.
• Pre-employment background checks and driving abstract checks.

Responsibilities

• Engage with community members respectfully and build relationships.
• Proactively monitor campus by foot or vehicle presence.
• Lock/unlock buildings and check fire panels.
• Respond to emergencies and follow proper notification procedures.
• Administer first aid and operate an AED.
• Assist local emergency personnel as needed.
• Provide escorts and shuttle support as required.
• Write incident reports and operate university vehicles per policy.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Diversity & inclusion

Crisis de-escalation

Interpersonal skills

Decision making

Education

High school diploma or GED

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

Google Mail/Calendar

Handheld radio operations

Job description

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Hiring Range: $22.36 per hour with excellent benefits.

Location

Tacoma, WA 98447.

Department:

Department: Campus Safety & Information

Posting Date:

Posting Date: 10/06/2026

Closing Date

Closing Date When a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified.

Work Schedule:

Full-time, Thursday-Sunday 8:00pm-6:00am.
Shift times and dates may be adjusted for training or department needs.

This position is eligible to receive a pay differential of $1.00 per hour, for hours worked between 9:00pm and 4:59am.

General Description:

The Professional Safety Officer is responsible for the safety and security of the Pacific Lutheran University campus and its personnel. This is accomplished through providing a presence on campus, interacting positively and professionally with community members and guests, and performing a variety of daily tasks. Reports to the Assistant Director of Campus Safety

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Engage with community members in a culturally responsive manner and with the goal of developing on-going relationships.
• Proactively monitor activity on campus by providing presence on campus on foot or in a vehicle.
• Lock and unlock buildings and perimeter gates and check fire panels in buildings.
• Assist individuals in locating or obtaining resources to address issues or special needs.
• Respond to emergency incidents, ensuring proper procedures are followed and notifications are made.
• Administer first aid and operate an AED machine.
• Assist local fire and law enforcement personnel in the performance of their duties as requested.
• Provide assistance with vehicle jump starts, walking escorts, and shuttle transports.
• Use weaponless defensive tactics, employing verbal skills to diffuse volatile or hostile situations.
• Perform dispatcher duties including, answering multi-line phones, entering data into the computer system, and addressing walk-in visitors.
• Write reports on incidents.
• Operate university vehicles in conformance with local laws and PLU policies.
• Attend professional development training such as Security Officer Academy and IC 100/200 and 700 certifications.
• Train new employees on department policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Excellent human relation skills; ability to deal with a wide variety of people; intercultural skill and capacity necessary to effectively engage individuals from a range of salient identities.
• Knowledge and skill in confrontation management.
• Ability to follow department policies, standard operating procedures, and directives.
• Ability to multi-task and make decisions quickly.
• Knowledge of radio operations, video console operations, and driving operations.
• Ability to deal with a variety of personalities in stressful situations.
• Ability to effectively and clearly read, write, speak and communicate the English language.
• Ability to communicate clear on a handheld radio.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills such as MS Word, MS Excel, Google Mail, and Calendar, and use of the internet.

Required Qualifications:

• 2 years of job-related safety/security experience, customer service experience, or equivalent training.
• High school diploma or GED .
• Valid driver’s license (Must have had a valid driver’s license for at least 2 years).
• First aid/ CPR / AED certification required and provided upon employment.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background checks, including a driving abstract check, and pass PLU’s Driver’s Certification Training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an academic setting.
• Knowledge of PLU and its campus.
• Experience within a safety or security setting.
• Experience writing activity reports on a regular basis

Work Conditions:

• Work is normally split between indoor office work and the field patrol environment.
• Exposure to all kinds of weather conditions and occasional exposure to physical risk.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to walk, run, or climb stairs for extended periods of time.
• Ability to sit and operate computer related equipment for extended periods of time.

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Other Information:

PLU offers an excellent benefits package including tuition remission for employees and their dependents, generous retirement plan, medical, dental, paid vacation and sick leave, major holidays off (including Christmas/New Year’s break and extra time off during the summer), and many other great university benefits. PLU is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from members of historically underrepresented and minoritized groups, women, veterans, persons with disabilities, and others who would bring broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. PLU is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program as a 501©(3) tax-exempt organization. For general application questions or if you need accommodations at any point in the application and/or interview process, please contact the Human Resources Office at 253-535-7185 or [e-mail] .

Supplemental Questions

• * Are you 18 years of age or older?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a current valid driver's license which you have had for at least 2 years?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Do you have a High School Diploma or GED?
  • Yes
  • No
• * Are you legally eligible to work in the United States on your hire date AND legally authorized to work in the United States for Pacific Lutheran University without sponsorship now and indefinitely into the future?
  • Yes
  • No

12180 Park Ave. S
Tacoma, WA 98447
[phone]
www.plu.edu