Security Specialist Jobs in Seattle, WA

Salary range is $38.94/hour to $76.92/hour with a midpoint of $53.85/hour. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package (https://www.soundtransit.org/sites/default/files/documents/sound-transit-benefits-guide.pdf) with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

This position may be assigned to begin and end the day at any of our starting locations (Lynnwood, Seattle-Union Station, Redmond or Federal Way/Tacoma). Selected candidates must be able to report to any of these locations, according to their shift assignment.

GENERAL PURPOSE:

Under the general direction of the Public Safety Field Activity Manager(s) and Supervisor(s), the Senior Field Activity Specialist will execute all aspects of the Field Activity Specialist/internalized Mobile Patrol program to include, but not limited to: conducting vehicle-based security patrols of the Sound Transit enterprise, responding to alarms and calls for service, providing physical security services, conducting community outreach, conducting emergency incident response, performing day to day inspection of Sound Transit safety and security status, and ensuring compliance of contracted security and law enforcement resources. Field Activity Specialists are a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week security presence providing continuous security services and supporting the work on developing partnerships to support increased collaboration between Sound Transit, First Responders (police, fire and emergency medical services) and the community. The goal is to improve and maintain system safety and security for Sound Transit and the communities we serve.

In addition, the Senior Specialist will have duties beyond those of a regular Field Activity Specialist, as they will serve as Shift Leads, providing operational direction to Specialists assigned to their shifts; serve as back-up Field Activity Supervisors; coordinate, instruct and document the Field Activity training programs for newly hired and existing staff; and conduct various planning and logistical support functions for the program. The Senior Specialist may be required to work across the current shift schedule to accomplish their shift lead and training missions. Senior Specialists are not people leaders, and will not perform payroll, performance management, or disciplinary functions.

This is a uniformed security position that requires the identification and mitigation of imminent safety and security issues, up to and including de-escalating potentially violent/confrontational situations, monitoring the transit system for suspicious activity and devices, and providing an interim security presence until law enforcement is called/responds. Lead Specialists do not require a law enforcement commission.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Serve as the operational Shift Lead for scheduled shifts that lack an assigned Supervisor.
• Gather preliminary information and generate required reports related to accidents and injuries involving Field Activity Specialists on their assigned shift.
• Serve as back-up Supervisor when assigned Supervisors are on Paid Time Off (PTO), in training, or otherwise unavailable.
• Serve as security event planners, participating in a wide range of planning meetings to identify security needs and resource needs.
• Serve field trainer for newly hired Field Activity Specialists – providing detailed, on the job training in all Specialist job functions listed below.
• Serve as trainers for all recurring and refresher training for Field Activity staff.
• Support overall Field Activity staffing by serving as a FLEX officer, as required.
• Develop, execute, and continually improve all field training guidelines and training materials.
• Document trainee progress in accordance with Field Activity field training guidelines and advise the Field Activity Manager(s) and Supervisor(s) on trainee performance issues.
• Serve as a general training coordinator for the Field Activity team, to include planning, conducting, and scheduling all team training required to perform the below listed duties.
• Conduct security operations across the tri-county Sound Transit service area during assigned shifts over a 24 hour/7 day a week period.
• Conduct mobile and foot-based patrols of designated agency facilities, stations, and transit vehicles, in accordance with routes, schedules and directions provided by Field Activity Manager(s), Supervisor(s) and/or established mobile patrol orders.
• Recognize and respond to potential trespassing issues on agency owned and operated facilities, properties, and transit vehicles.
• Respond to critical safety and security incidents to ensure the safety of agency personnel and passengers and to coordinate response efforts with law enforcement, fire, and emergency medical services, to mitigate impacts on transit service.
• Participate in Incident Command and Emergency Management activities related to major safety and security events, in accordance with FEMA National Incident Management System standards.
• Provide timely and accurate information related to critical incidents to the Security Operations Center, the Emergency Operations Center, and Public Safety management.
• Gather preliminary investigative information related to major system safety and security events for subsequent use in agency safety/security and/or law enforcement investigations.
• Conduct inspections of contracted security and law enforcement services for alignment of contract performance to agency expectations and values.
• Coordinate and execute the agency’s parking enforcement program in the field, to include testifying in court as necessary.
• Ensure safety during planned or unplanned service interruptions or other large public events by maintaining order and monitoring response and recovery efforts.
• Conduct and coordinate public safety and crowd management efforts for large events impacting the transit system, such as concerts or sporting events.
• Assist passengers and the public in and around Sound Transit facilities and services, including helping them address public safety and security concerns, navigating the transit system, and providing information or access to social service resources for individuals in need.
• Performing clerical duties such as completing reports, updating databases, and typing correspondence.
• Perform First Aid, Stop the Bleed, Automated Electronic Defibrillator (AED) and CPR activities up to the limits of provided training.
• Manage all daily operational activities (preparing reports, logging duty status, uploading photos, and making notes) through the agency’s Computer Aided Dispatch (CAD) system and security radio/dispatch system.
• Deploy and use a range of agency-provided safety equipment as required, i.e., security radios, laptop computers, traffic cones, crowd control devices, fire extinguishers, bolt cutters, etc.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security or related field. Four years of experience in experience in the public sector providing service to the public or customers, preferably in a public-facing security, fire/emergency medicine and/or law enforcement fields; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:

• Valid and unrestricted state Driver's License. (This position is responsible for operating public safety non-revenue vehicles that are loaded with security, safety, and first aid gear and equipment.)
• CPR/First Aid/AED/Stop the Bleed certification (to be obtained once hired)
• Rail and transit safety certifications (to be obtained once hired)

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to provide clear and concise operational guidance to Field Activity Specialists in the field.
• Ability to successfully complete agency required initial and refresher training for the position, to include training on report writing, radio use, defensive tactics, handcuffing, CPR/First Aid/AED, defensive driving, Incident Command, rail safety, Field Activity policies and procedures, and similar safety and security topics.
• Ability to engage with individuals from all backgrounds and provide clear and concise direction on safety and security matters.
• Ability to remain calm and focused during situations where personal safety or safety of others may appear to be at risk.
• Ability to de-escalate potentially confrontational and/or violent situations.
• Ability to speak in public, in front of small to medium sized crowds, to include providing instruction in the Field Activity training environment.
• Ability to prepare detailed operational and administrative reports and gather relevant data using standard office computer technology (computers, word processors, spreadsheets, email programs, etc.).
• Ability to recognize, secure, and preserve areas/evidence for law enforcement and emergency response personnel.
• Ability to manage daily operational activities within the virtual environment of the agency’s CAD system in the field and in the office via agency provided laptop computer and smartphone.
• Knowledge of basic safety, security, and criminal justice concepts.
• Ability to recognize, prepare, and assist with evacuations and/or emergency situations.
• Ability to solve problems and demonstrate creativity.
• Maturity and a responsible attitude.
• Independent and able to work in an unsupervised environment.
• Resilience and confidence.
• Good teamwork skills.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Patience and tolerance.
• A strong understanding of cultural differences.
• Honesty, fairness, and reliability.
• Maintain positive working relationships with staff, customers and supporting organizations, such as law enforcement, to promote confidence in the safe and secure delivery of transit services.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Direct knowledge of community engagement/liaison tactics and practices such as community policing, school resource officer, or similar civilian functions.
• Experience assisting employees or passengers during emergency situations.
• Experience leading and directing response personnel during emergency situations.
• Experience in developing training materials and providing instruction in a structured training environment.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:

• Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week.
• Work is performed in a hybrid field, warehouse, and transit environment.
• Positions working in the field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• This position is responsible for critical incident response which could involve a wide range of physical activities to assist first responder and mitigate safety/security threat; may be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, lifting and carrying up to and over 50 pounds.
• This position is expected to work varying shifts, that may include weekends and overnights.
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required.

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.