Security Officer

Job Duties
Location: Western State Hospital
103 Valley Center Drive, Staunton, VA 24401.

Who We Are
Western State Hospital, part of the Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS), has been a leader in psychiatric treatment since 1828. WSH is a 302-bed Joint Commission/CMS-accredited psychiatric facility located in the scenic Shenandoah Valley. Just 30 minutes from vibrant university towns, our hospital serves adults with serious mental health needs and is nationally recognized for our Psychosocial Rehabilitation “Learning” programs.

WSH provides a modern clinical setting and a therapeutic environment for patients, supported by highly qualified staff. Employees also enjoy the beauty and tranquility of the Shenandoah Valley, with nearby cities such as Charlottesville and Harrisonburg offering dining, entertainment, and outdoor activities, making Staunton an attractive place to live and work.

Western State Hospital is seeking a full-time Security Officer to maintain adequate coverage in order for the Public Safety Department to fulfill its mission statement at Western State Hospital (WSH) and at the Commonwealth Center for Children and Adolescents (CCCA). The Security Officer will respond and assist unit staff with patients as requested at both WSH and the CCCA; conduct walk-throughs as designated by Administration on the units and grounds of both WSH and the CCCA to help provide a safe and secure environment and milieu for patients and staff; check in and scan all visitors in the front lobby as well as patients that may be returning via the front lobby by use of the walk-through metal detector and hand wand; check in and scan all patients returning from trips that return in the sally port by use of the walk-through metal detector and hand wand; and respond to the scene of any fire, disaster, duress alarm, or any other such emergency and assist as needed.

This position will also transport combative, dangerous, public safety patients to/from other state facilities, court hearings, and appointments; patrol hospital property, monitor parking, traffic, and conduct vehicle accident investigations as deemed necessary by management; prepare and submit completed special reports in a timely fashion; complete Public Safety logs in their entirety and enter such in the Public Safety log database; and be an active team player at all times.

This position is eligible for:

• health, vision, and dental insurance
• paid time off; sick time; family/personal time; and community service time
• retirement with cash match
• life insurance

Minimum Qualifications

• Valid Virginia Driver’s License
• Experience in Law Enforcement, Public Safety, or related fields and positions meeting and dealing with the general public as a supplier of services

Additional Considerations

• High school graduate or equivalent
• Bilingual
• Veteran or veteran spouse

Special Instructions
You will be provided a confirmation of receipt when your application and/or résumé is submitted successfully. Please refer to “Your Application” in your account to check the status of your application for this position.

Application Requirements: Applications and résumés for this position are accepted electronically through the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Electronic Recruitment System only. Interview decisions will be based solely on the information provided in your electronic application and/or résumé. Please ensure you clearly and specifically detail all relevant work experience; we will not make assumptions about your qualifications.
Applications/résumés will begin to be reviewed within five (5) days of the posting date.

Background Investigation: All applicants are subject to an extensive background investigation and a pre-employment drug screening. This investigation may include fingerprint checks (State Police, FBI), local agency checks, Department of Social Services/Child Protective Services checks, employment verification, and verification of education relevant to the position.

Under Virginia Code §§ 37.2-314 and 37.2-408.1, the Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (540) 332-8300 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions. There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We strongly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply to the state application and respond accordingly.