Security Coordinator

Columbia University; New York (NY); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Columbia University seeks a Security Coordinator for its School in New York City. This essential role involves overseeing security operations, incident documentation, safety preparedness, and coordination of training exercises. The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree, extensive security experience, and the ability to exercise independent judgment on safety situations. Responsibilities include managing access control systems, implementing security measures for events, and conducting safety training for students and staff. Flexibility for varying shifts and weekend events is essential.

Qualifications

• Minimum of five to seven years of prior security experience.
• 2+ years in security operations administration or emergency preparedness coordination.
• Ability to effectively document incidents and trends.

Responsibilities

• Administer the School’s access control system and related security technology.
• Conduct security checks and maintain high visibility.
• Prepare and document incident reports and coordinate improvement tracking.

Skills

Independent judgment

Strong written communication

Incident documentation standards

Risk analysis

Ability to work effectively in high-pressure situations

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

Access control systems

Security technology platforms (Genetec, Lenel)

Job description

Position Summary

Reporting to the Manager, Operations, the Security Coordinator, Systems and Preparedness is responsible for administering and continuously improving The School at Columbia University’s security operations infrastructure and preparedness practices for students, employees, and visitors. The role involves access control, security documentation, incident reporting, event security risk review support, and readiness training and drill coordination. The position assesses evolving security and safety situations and exercises some independent judgment in determining appropriate preventive or responsive actions to protect students, teachers, staff, families and visitors, including escalation to University partners and external emergency services when warranted. The Security Coordinator demonstrates professionalism at all times and also exhibits The School’s core organizational values of caring, respect, integrity, and diversity in carrying out daily responsibilities.

This role requires post coverage, patrol and fixed position monitoring. In addition there are system responsibilities, documentation, and preparedness deliverables.

Work schedule

Standard schedule: Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., with flexibility to support events, drills, tabletop exercises, and incident response outside standard hours as needed, which includes weekends.

Responsibilities

Security Systems Administration

• Administers the School’s access control system and related security technology workflows, including access provisioning and credential lifecycle management. When requested, access audits and documentation of access standards.
• Maintains a high visibility when conducting security checks throughout The School.
• When requested, maintains system data integrity, access groups, permissions, and reporting outputs; troubleshoots access issues and coordinates resolution with the Manager of Operations and vendors as needed.
• Maintains standard operating procedures for visitor access, credentials, and access exceptions; implements approved updates with the Operations Manager and communicates process changes to stakeholders.
• Safeguards The School property.

Security Planning Documentation and Event Risk Reviews

• Maintains and updates site specific security documentation for daily operations and events to ensure alignment with established School procedures and applicable University standards.
• Reviews security plans for on site and off site events and conducts risk reviews with the Operations Manager that identify vulnerabilities, required mitigations, and technology or process needs; supports implementation of approved measures, including access configurations and communications plans.

Incident Documentation Standards, Analysis, and Improvement Tracking

• Prepares incident reports, routes information correctly, and maintains logs in a timely manner.
• Coordinates post incident reviews focused on lessons learned and corrective action; tracks completion of improvements and documents outcomes.

Preparedness training and Drill Coordination

• Coordinates the schedule, logistics, materials, and evaluation tools for drills and tabletop exercises; documents results and improvement actions.
• Provides age appropriate security and safety education to Kindergarten through Grade 8 children in partnership with school leadership.
• Provides CPR Training to Administration, Teachers and Staff.

Situation Assessment and Independent Judgment for Safety

• Assess security and safety situations in real time, evaluates severity and potential impact, and makes independent judgment calls on immediate protective actions consistent with established protocols and legal requirements.
• Independently determines appropriate escalation and coordination steps, including notification of leadership, University Public Safety partners, and external responders when warranted.
• Applies independent judgment to implement interim safeguards during elevated risk situations, including access control adjustments, movement controls, and documentation requirements, while ensuring timely communication to appropriate stakeholders.

Compliance Monitoring Support

• Stays current on laws and requirements impacting NYC schools and child safety and translates requirements into operational checklists, documentation updates, and staff guidance for leadership review and incorporation into practice.

Operational support during exceptions

• Provides on site security presence during major events, drills, incidents, or temporary coverage gaps as needed.
• Supports dismissal operations by ensuring authorization and access control processes are functioning as designed and escalates exceptions per established procedures.

Package Handling and Deliveries

• Ensures all deliveries are logged into SPLAM, safely stored and delivered to final recipient.
• Receives all mail, including Columbia internal mail, and coordinates its distribution to the appropriate recipients.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required and/or equivalent of five to seven years of prior security experience.
• 2 years of progressively responsible experience in security operations administration, access control systems support, emergency preparedness coordination, risk analysis, campus safety operations, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise independent judgment in assessing risk, determining escalation, and implementing approved operational safeguards that materially impact the safety of students, teachers and staff.
• Strong written communication and analytical skills, including incident documentation standards, trend analysis, and reporting.
• Ability to work effectively with students, teachers, faculty, staff, families, vendors, visitors and public safety partners, with calm professionalism in high pressure situations.
• Ability to develop training materials and coordinate drills and tabletop exercises with clear documentation of outcomes.
• Ability to move throughout School facilities and surrounding areas, including stairs, and to remain on feet for extended periods when required for drills, events, or incident response.
• Flexibility to support events and emergency response outside standard hours as needed.
• Must be flexible and available to change shifts, work on weekends and attend overnight trips with notice.
• Ability to lift and deliver packages.

Licenses and certifications

• NYS Security Guard license required.
• Current CPR certification required; CPR Instructor Certification preferred or obtained within a defined timeframe.
• Fire Guard license required or obtained within a defined timeframe.

Preferred Qualifications

• Public Safety, Emergency Management, Risk Management, or related degree.
• Experience with access control and video or security technology platforms (for example Genetec, Lenel, or comparable systems).
• Ability to engage in conversational Spanish.

• Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran
• Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.