Campus Safety Officer

The Safety Officer is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the campus community, including students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This role involves patrolling campus property, responding to emergencies and calls for service, enforcing campus policies and procedures, promoting a safe and secure campus environment through visibility, communication, and proactive engagement. While the position is primarily patrol and response-based, officers may also be assigned to administrative and dispatch duties as needed.

Essential Departmental Duties and Responsibilities:

• Conduct regular patrols (foot, vehicle, building) to deter crime, identify safety concerns, and secure facilities.
• Respond to incidents, alarms, and emergencies with professionalism and urgency, including medical and evacuation situations.
• Monitor and report suspicious activity, safety hazards, and policy violations.
• Enforce campus rules and regulations fairly and consistently.
• Write detailed incident reports and maintain accurate documentation and department logs.
• Maintain clear radio communication with dispatch and officers; perform dispatch duties as needed.
• Assist in investigations and follow-up activities in coordination with relevant personnel.
• Support community policing efforts by providing safety escorts and serving as a visible, approachable presence.
• Participate in safety drills and training and collaborate with emergency services and campus staff.
• Perform administrative tasks such as data entry, filing, and updating schedules; work flexible hours as assigned.

Job Requirements:

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.

Education and/or Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree (BA) in criminal justice, law enforcement or related field preferred. Consideration will be given for related experience and/or training or equivalent combination
• Previous experience in campus safety, security, law enforcement, or a related field preferred
• Valid Ohio driver's license and clean driving record
• Ability to pass a background check, physical, and training requirements (e.g., CPR, First Aid, report writing, de-escalation)

Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills: Strong written and verbal abilities, with experience in preparing reports and professional correspondence.
• Interpersonal effectiveness: Able to interact respectfully and effectively with diverse individuals; skilled in customer service, teamwork, and de-escalation.
• Sound judgment and reliability: Demonstrates integrity, professionalism, situational awareness, and the ability to remain calm under pressure.
• Policy and procedure proficiency: Capable of independently interpreting and applying guidelines, instructions, and operating procedures.
• Attention to detail: Dependable with strong observational skills and a commitment to accuracy in documentation and reporting.
• Technical competency: Basic computer skills and familiarity with safety reporting systems and administrative tools.

Work Environment:

• Must be able to work outdoors in varying weather conditions
• May require long periods of standing, walking, or driving
• Must be available to work various shifts, including weekends, holidays, and overnight hours

Physical Demands:

(Described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This is not part of the job posting but is needed for ADA compliance.)

• Regularly required to stand, walk, sit, climb stairs, use hands to finger, handle or feel objects or controls; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear
• Occasionally required to run, climb, stoop, balance and kneel, crouch and crawl
• Occasionally lifts and/or moves 10-50 pounds

Additional Information:

The College of Wooster does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex/gender, gender identity, gender expression, medical condition, political affiliation, religion, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, disability, age, marital status, family responsibilities, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other characteristic protected by institutional policy, or by state, local, or federal law. All offers of employment are subject to verification of the legal right to work in the United States as required by federal law. The College of Wooster is committed by policy and practice to diversity, equity and inclusion. For more information see our nondiscrimination policy.