Safety and Security Technician

About the Role

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277‑bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility in Petersburg, Virginia. It maintains the only maximum‑security treatment facility in the state (111 beds) and provides additional inpatient care for community and criminal‑justice patients. The Safety and Security Technician is responsible for controlling access to the maximum‑security forensic unit, supervising patient activities, and ensuring the safety of staff, visitors, and patients.

Responsibilities

• Control all access to and from a maximum‑security unit where court‑ordered patients are assigned for psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment.
• Determine positive identification of staff and visitors; screen visitors; secure necessary approval for entry and exit; ensure only authorized persons enter or leave the forensic unit.
• Supervise and observe patients’ activities.
• Transport and escort patients within the forensic unit or to destinations throughout the facility, courts, hospitals, medical appointments, and other state facilities.
• Assist with the admission process, including searching patients and explaining unit policies and regulations.
• Secure items not allowed in the unit; inspect packages; operate electrical doors.
• Receive incoming telephone calls; notify staff of deliveries; issue keys and maintain a key‑record inventory.
• Understand and use the least restrictive interventions per hospital policy, aiming to avoid seclusion and restraint whenever possible.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ability to work any shift.
• Previous security experience.
• Valid Virginia driver’s license.
• Previous mental‑health experience in a hospital setting.
• Additional consideration: DCJS certification.

Schedule

Must be willing to work any shift.

Pay

Hiring range: $41,265 – $52,354 (Pay Band 3).

Benefits

• Choice of health plans
• Paid life insurance
• Retirement plans
• 13 paid holidays
• Annual leave, family personal leave, and sick leave
• Employee discount programs and more

Application Process

• Applications and résumés are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System.
• Interview decisions are based solely on the information provided in the electronic application and/or résumé.
• All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and pre‑employment drug screening, which may include fingerprint checks, local agency checks, DSS/CPS checks, and verification of employment and education.
• Reasonable accommodations are available during the application and interview process; contact Human Resources at 804‑524‑7111.
• DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members.

Contact Information

• Human Resources Department – Phone: 804‑524‑7111
• Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds.virginia.gov