Professional Safety Officer (Multiple Positions Available)

Pacific Lutheran University; Tacoma (WA); On-site; USD 25,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Tuition remission

Retirement plan

Medical and dental coverage

Paid vacation and sick leave

Major holidays off

Job summary

Pacific Lutheran University is seeking a Professional Safety Officer to safeguard the campus community. The role focuses on visible patrols, building checks, emergency response, and collaboration with local authorities to maintain a secure environment.

You will provide first aid, operate an AED, and deliver clear incident reports while supporting 24/7 coverage for the Campus Safety & Information department. Shift options include night and day rotations with a $22.36/hour base rate and benefits.

Qualifications

• 2 years of job-related safety/security experience, customer service, or equivalent training.
• High school diploma or GED.
• 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.

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 ics 100/200 and 700 certifications.
• Train new employees on department policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills

Safety experience

Customer service

Confrontation management

English communication

Multi-tasking

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Professional Safety Officer (Multiple Positions Available)

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

Position Title: Professional Safety Officer (Multiple Positions Available)

Position Type:

Position Type: Staff

Benefits Status:

Benefits Status: Benefits Eligible

FLSA:

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Hiring Range:

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, available shifts are:

Thursday – Sunday: 6:00am-4:00pm

Friday – Monday: 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 ics 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 clearly 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 is a small, private university where caring means more than kindness and consideration — it means a bold commitment to expanding well-being, opportunity, and justice. Because PLU is a community committed to the creation and advancement of knowledge through diversity and inclusion, the university actively recruits a diverse faculty, staff, and student body. 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 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 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