Security Officer

About the role

The University of Kentucky Police Department prioritizes its investment of professional development and offer a competitive starting pay of $17.60/hour for Security Officers. We are looking for individuals who are eager to grow their careers while contributing to the safety and security of our University community.

Responsibilities

• Maintain a safe and secure environment at the University of Kentucky's HealthCare facilities by protecting guests, visitors, staff, and property.
• Serve as the frontline for security across the UK HealthCare enterprise and during University-sponsored events.
• Conduct patrols and use knowledge of assigned area to actively provide high visibility and presence concentrating on high traffic areas to detect possible suspicious activities or assist visitors with needs for service.
• Identify, report, and respond quickly, calmly, and professionally to suspicious activities, sensitive situations, emergency alarms, and assistance calls.
• Work collaboratively by monitoring radio broadcasts by Communications and other Security Officers to ensure awareness of activities in the area and to aid as needed.
• Respond to assistance calls for disorderly patients and visitors, provide services including crisis intervention, conflict resolution, and diffuse potentially volatile situations with due regard for the safety of all involved.
• Experience both high pace activity in response to high stress situations and repetitive/routine activity to proactively serve and protect.
• Perform basic investigative reviews and prioritize information for the completion of University forms and security reports.
• Meet and talk with staff, hospital patients, visitors, and vendors, providing information, advising of safety measures, and building rapport.
• Provide coverage for individuals on 72 hour holds.
• Perform repetitive duties like relocking and unlocking doors.
• Monitor video camera footage and the security badge access and alarm systems.
• Escalate situations to UK Police as needed.

Requirements

• Required Education: HS (equivalencies accepted).
• No related experience required.
• No required license/registration/certification.

Qualifications

• Customer Service, Communication, and De-escalation Skills preferred.
• Must be able to work 8 hour shifts, assignments to be determined, including: 1st shift (05:45 am – 02:15 pm), 2nd shift (01:45 pm – 10:15 pm), or 3rd shift (09:45 pm – 06:15 am).
• Must be able to work Days, Evenings, Nights, Weekends, Holidays, and mandatory overtime to include special events such as UK home football games.
• Must be able to work overtime with short notice for extended periods of time.
• Location assignment will be determined at time of hire.
• Must pass a polygraph examination as part of the University Police Department's employment process.
• Must undergo a drug screen as part of the pre-employment screening process for any position working in one of the hospitals/clinics owned or operated by the University of Kentucky.

Physical requirements

• Lifting, pushing, or pulling of objects up to 100 lbs.
• Sitting/walking/standing for long periods of time.
• Handling intermittent periods of high levels of stress.
• Engaging with potentially violent or combative patients, visitors or other individuals.

Multiple positions available. Deadline to Apply: 08/20/2026.