Security Officer III

Join the Texas Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC) and be part of a team committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of fellow Texans. At HHSC, your contributions matter, and we support you at every stage of your life and work journey.

About the Role

This is a senior-level security services position that supports the Security Supervisor with department goals and objectives. The Security Officer III performs complex security work, including patrolling hospital grounds, conducting initial investigations, providing direction and assistance to patients, staff, and visitors, and performing temporary switchboard duties. This role involves working under limited supervision with considerable latitude for initiative and independent judgment.

Other duties include actively participating in disaster response, recovery, or Continuity of Operations (COOP) activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations. This position may also be eligible for additional pay for work performed on evenings, nights, and/or weekends.

Responsibilities

• Patrols hospital grounds to monitor and mitigate unusual occurrences such as trespassers, vandalism, and emergencies.
• Monitors and directs daily activities and work performance of junior security officers as needed.
• Adjusts daily activities of security officers assigned to shift to ensure department objectives are met.
• Provides security to the hospital campus, including opening hospital gates and assisting visitors.
• Inspects and safeguards buildings, properties, and equipment.
• Writes reports and documents incidents or events in and around the hospital grounds.
• Downloads video requests from the Rights Protection department.
• Performs temporary switchboard duties, including answering the hospital telephone switchboard, fire alarm system, and emergency response phone line.
• Checks points of ingress and egress to prevent unauthorized departures/escapes.
• Investigates and documents unusual incidents such as thefts, fires, vehicle accidents, unauthorized departures, and weather-related events.
• Performs administrative duties in the absence of the Security Supervisor, such as preparing the department schedule and reviewing reports.
• Represents the security department in meetings and events at the direction of the Security Supervisor or Directors.
• Responds to fire alarms, determines the nature of emergencies, and resets alarms as needed; escorts the fire department during actual emergencies.
• Provides crisis intervention, assists staff with controlling disruptive or combative patients or guests, and escorts disruptive individuals off hospital grounds.
• Operates State vehicles to transport patients, employees, and visitors on or off hospital grounds; maintains inspection forms for vehicle safety.
• Actively participates in disaster response, recovery, or COOP activation, which may require alternate shift patterns or locations.

Requirements

• Four years or more of continuous work experience in law enforcement, security, or corrections OR three years or more of security experience in a mental health facility.
• Must possess a valid Texas driver license or obtain it no later than 90 days after hire date to drive a state vehicle. Applicants with an out-of-state driver license must provide an original certified driving record from the state of licensure.
• Current CPR/AED certification preferred; willingness to be certified within 6 months required.
• Must pass a fingerprint criminal background check, pre-employment drug screen, and registry checks including the Client Abuse/Neglect Reporting System (CANRS), Nurse Aid, Medication Aide, Employee Misconduct, and List of Excluded Individuals/Entities (LEIE).
• Males between the ages of 18-25 must be registered with the Selective Service.
• Must be at least 18 years of age; Waco and Terrell Center for Youth applicants must be 21 years of age.
• Flexibility in work hours may be required, including overtime and/or extended hours.
• Compliance with HHSC immunization policy and state hospital operating procedures related to immunizations is required. May be required to wear a mask if not vaccinated for influenza.

Skills

• Knowledge of alarm devices, traffic and parking regulations, and emergency response procedures.
• Skills in personal interaction with patients, staff, and the public.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write succinct security incident reports.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Programs.
• Ability to patrol grounds, detect incidents, and take appropriate action.
• Ability to react quickly and calmly in emergency situations.
• Physical ability to walk or stand for considerable lengths of time.
• Ability to drive out-of-town and operate a wheelchair van.

Benefits

HHSC offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• 100% paid employee health insurance for full-time eligible employees.
• A defined benefit pension plan.
• Generous time off benefits.
• Numerous opportunities for career advancement.

Explore more details on the Benefits of Working at HHS webpage.

Pay

Salary Range: $3,500.00 - $4,837.08 per month.

Schedule

• Full-time, regular position.
• Shift: Regular Night (not eligible for telework).
• Travel: Up to 10%.