Safety & Security Officer

Ottawa University; Surprise (AZ); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Ottawa University Surprise Campus is seeking a dedicated Security Officer to protect students, staff, and visitors during night shifts and weekends. You will patrol campus facilities, monitor access points, and respond to emergencies, coordinating with local authorities when required.

The role requires vigilance, strong communication, and the ability to remain calm under pressure while upholding campus safety policies and procedures.

Qualifications

• Requires a High School Diploma or equivalent; training in safety preferred.
• 3–5 years related work experience in safety/security preferred.
• Display professional judgment, calm decision-making, and effective communication.

Responsibilities

• Carry out safety and security patrols across campus day and night.
• Respond to emergencies and coordinate with police/fire when needed.
• Escort students and staff to destinations as required for safety.
• Monitor building access, doors, windows, and alarms for security.
• Participate in trainings and maintain awareness of safety guidelines.

Skills

Strong communication

Professional judgment

Observation skills

Safety minded

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Job description

The primary responsibility of the Ottawa University residential campus security department is to provide a safe and secure environment for university students, employees, and visitors. Secondarily, this department is responsible for protecting campus facilities, property, and personal property of all common to the campus. The nature of the position requires night and weekend duty.Essential Functions:Carry out safety and security patrols throughout the day, covering the entire campus, assuring the ongoing safety of all OU constituents.Work with the Director of Campus Safety & Security, Surprise Residential Campus, Surprise, AZ to perform routine inspections, tests, and other processes as neededRespond to emergency situations when necessary; take prompt action to eliminate immediate danger to life or property. Contact Police and Fire personnel to respond if needed. Assist in building evacuations, when needed. Assist in perimeter control, when necessary, which may involve exposure to extreme weather conditions. Reports life threatening conditions and/or property loss/damage to proper authorities. Provide assistance in accordance with training and common sense and/or stands by until help arrives.Must be observant for suspicious/irregular or threatening activities across facilities. Must be available to provide assistance and security in escorting students and employees to appropriate destinations. Must always be highly visible and available for student and employee safety needs.Requires regular inspection tours, on foot, of assigned buildings which requires the employee to walk long distances, climb stairs, and may subject the employee to extreme weather conditions. Inspections include checking doors, windows, and gates. Must monitor people in buildings requiring authorization for being there and requiring those not authorized to leave. Maintain an awareness of route information such as building hours, fire and intrusion alarm status, and on-going maintenance problems. Stay knowledgeable of state fire codes, university safety guidelines, and policies governing university buildings.Safeguards the university against hazards, safety problems, and property damage. Ensure appropriate illumination of buildings to include exits and stairwell lights. Inspect buildings with an eye toward utility conservation. Takes prompt action to eliminate immediate danger to life or property.Must work cooperatively with others providing a courteous, complete and efficient service. Must maintain proper care and control of department equipment and vehicles. Participate in and/or provide training as required. Must have a positive work attendance, work in a variety of environments and climatic conditions, have flexibility to work evenings and weekend hours, and the willingness to work overtime as necessary. Represent the University in a positive and responsive manner.Perform other duties as assigned and required which may be with little or no advance notice. May involve standing for long periods of time and/or exposure to extreme weather conditions.Will work closely with other Ottawa University Arizona departments and assist as needed.Other duties as assignedRequired Education: High School Diploma or equivalent required; training in a related field preferred.Required Experience: 3-5 years related work experience; prior safety related work experience preferred.Additional Eligibility Requirements:Display effective use of professional judgment and discretionDisplay strong communication skills.Be able to react quickly and respond in a helpful manner.Physically able to provide assistance and protection to others in any situation.Working Conditions:(Physical attributes required to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation - examples: sitting, lifting, bending, driving, environmental factors or elements, noise level, stairs in a building, or other factors that will affect working conditions)The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl, go up and down stairs, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, agility and dexterity to work in small spaces.The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this position, the employee may be exposed to extreme cold and extreme heat.Travel Requirements:If travel is required, list type and approximate percentage: NoneResponsible for driving students and University vehicles as part of job duties: NoStandard University Expectations:Be mindful and supportive of the Mission of Ottawa University.Understand and follow the University’s policies and procedures and exercise good judgment accordingly. Assure that University and student information is managed in a confidential and ethical manner in accordance with the University’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.Manage your staff in accordance with University personnel policies. Encourage collaboration among the staff, provide regular evaluation and feedback, and facilitate developmental opportunities.Model and encourage collaboration among University offices and campuses assuring effective communication and operations.Provide leadership through conduct, attitude, and professionalism. Represent the University to students, external groups, faculty, and staff in a way that reflects positively on the University.Exercise inclusivity in your daily actions in accordance with the University’s Mission Statement, Statement of Spiritual Identity, and Statement of Inclusion, Openness, and Community.Our UniversityOttawa University “prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity” from residential campuses in Ottawa, Kansas (established 1865) and Surprise, Arizona (established 2017) and from professional and online campuses in Kansas City, Phoenix, and Milwaukee.Ottawa University is a regionally accredited, church-related, student-centered, private comprehensive university that strives to integrate faith, learning, and life in the academic experiences of students.This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.Ottawa University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate in recruitment or employment on the basis of race, age, sex, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.