Transit Security Jobs in Kent, WA (NOW HIRING)

Salary range is $38.94/hour to $76.92/hour with a midpoint of $53.85/hour. New hires typically receive between minimum and midpoint, however, we may go slightly higher based on experience, internal equity and market.

Sound Transit also offers a competitive benefits package with a wide range of offerings, including:

• Health Benefits: We offer two choices of medical plans, a dental plan, and a vision plan all at no cost for employee coverage; comprehensive benefits for employees and eligible dependents, including a spouse or domestic partner.
• Long-Term Disability and Life Insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Retirement Plans: 401a – 10% of employee contribution with a 12% match by Sound Transit; 457b – up to IRS maximum (employee only contribution).
• Paid Time Off: Employees accrue 25 days of paid time off annually with increases at four, eight and twelve years of service. Employees at the director level and up accrue additional days. We also observe 12 paid holidays and provide up to 2 paid floating holidays and up to 2 paid volunteer days per year.
• Parental Leave: 12 weeks of parental leave for new parents.
• Pet Insurance discount.
• ORCA Card: All full-time employees will receive an ORCA card at no cost.
• Tuition Reimbursement: Sound Transit will pay up to $5,000 annually for approved tuition expenses.
• Inclusive Reproductive Health Support Services.
• Compensation Practices: We offer competitive salaries based on market rates and internal equity. In addition to compensation and benefits, you’ll find that we provide work-life balance, opportunities for professional development and recognition from your colleagues.

This posting may be used to fill multiple vacancies.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

Under general direction of the Public Safety Field Activity Manager(s), provides first-line field supervision, assigns, coordinates, and reviews the daily operations, functions, and activities of a Public Safety Field Activity Specialist team, to include: conducting vehicle-based security patrols of the Sound Transit enterprise, responding to alarms and calls for service, providing physical security services, dealing with disruptive and potentially uncooperative/violent offenders on agency property or in agency transit vehicles, conducting community outreach, conducting emergency incident response, performing day to day inspection of Sound Transit safety and security status, and ensuring compliance of contracted security and law enforcement resources. Public Safety and Security Field Activity/Mobile Patrol Specialists are a 24-hour a day, 7-day a week security presence providing continuous security services and supporting the work on developing partnerships to support increased collaboration between Sound Transit and the community. The goal is to improve and maintain system safety and security issues for Sound Transit and the communities we serve.  

This is a uniformed, physical security position that requires the identification and mitigation of imminent safety and security issues, up to and including de-escalating potentially violent/confrontational situations, removing offending individuals from Sound Transit facilities and revenue vehicles, protecting staff and customers from potentially violent or disruptive situations, using force to protect individual safety, and providing an interim security presence until law enforcement is called/responds. Specialists carry extendable batons for self-defense and handcuffs for restraining uncooperative/violent individuals encountered on the transit system violating existing policies and laws, but they are not commissioned law enforcement officers.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:
The following duties are a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Provide operational and administrative oversight for an assigned Field Activity Specialist Team (up to 8 personnel) working 24/7 shifts in various operational zones with the transit service area.
• Prepare and disseminate the daily shift guidance for assigned Field Activity Specialists, to include the preparation of formal Mobile Patrol routes and Post Orders.
• Ensure assigned personnel are effectively monitoring the transit system to identify and mitigate emerging safety and security issues.
• Supervise the inspection of contracted security and law enforcement services to align contract performance to agency expectations and values.
• Coordinate safety-related items during planned or unplanned service interruptions or other significant public events by maintaining order, monitoring response and recovery efforts.
• Coordinate of public safety efforts related to significant events such as concerts, sporting events, drills, parades, and special requests.  Schedules staff, makes assignments, and coordinates with internal and external partners, as needed.
• Provide immediate operational direction and resolve issues relative to emergency and critical incidents and significant contract security performance failures in person or via telephone/email as needed to assign Field Activity Specialists on a 24-hour basis.
• Prepare, issue, and collect daily operational reports and documents. 
• Perform regular inspections of team equipment and non-revenue vehicles and manage assigned non-revenue vehicle maintenance.
• Monitor operational procedures to ensure safe practices.
• Review and approve Field Activity Specialist formal and informal reports to ensure all documents are clear, complete, accurate, and conform to agency/department policy and management expectations.
• Ensure overall quality and accuracy for all Public Safety & Security-related data collected by assigned Field Activity Specialists.
• Perform administrative duties associated with supervision, such as scheduling, personnel/payroll functions, performance management/goal setting, allocating personnel resources, conducting overall quality control, developing plans and procedures, filing reports, updating databases, preparing correspondence, and creating operational plans.
• Manage the investigation of vehicle accidents and employee injuries for assigned personnel.
• Serve as acting/backup for the Field Activity Manager(s) when on Paid Time Off (PTO), in training, or otherwise unavailable.
• Champion collaboration and cooperation across agency departments, divisions, and contracted security/law enforcement entities, to ensure the safe and secure operation of the transit system.
• Champions and models Sound Transit's core values and demonstrates values-based behaviors in everyday interactions across the agency.
• Contributes to a culture of diversity, equity and inclusion in alignment with Sound Transit’s Equity & Inclusion Policy.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to follow the Agency safety rules, regulations, and procedures pertaining to their assigned duties and responsibilities, which could include systems, operations, and/or other employees.
• It is the responsibility of all employees to integrate sustainability into everyday business practices.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Education and Experience: Associates degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Homeland Security or related field; Four years of experience in the public sector providing service to the public or customers, preferably in a public-facing security, fire/emergency medical or law enforcement fields; Or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Two years of leadership, budgetary, planning and workforce management experience.

Required Licenses and Certifications: 

• Valid state driver's license. This position is responsible for operating public safety non-revenue vehicles that are loaded with security, safety, and first aid gear and equipment.
• Public Transit Safety and Certification Training Program certification (within three years of selection).

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Ability to successfully lead and mentor assigned staff.
• Ability to speak in public, in front of small to medium-sized crowds.
• Ability to prepare detailed operational and administrative reports and gather relevant data using standard office computer technology (computers, word processors, spreadsheets, email programs, etc.)
• Knowledge of basic safety, security, and criminal justice concepts.
• Ability to remain calm and focused in situations where personal safety or the safety of others may appear to be at risk and to communicate in a positive manner.
• The ability to successfully resolve interpersonal conflicts.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• A strong understanding of cultural differences.
• Maintain positive working relationships with staff, customers, and all supporting organizations, such as law enforcement, to promote confidence in the safe and secure delivery of transit services.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills:

• Direct knowledge of community engagement/liaison tactics and practices such as community policing, school resource officer, community outreach, or similar civilian function.
• Experience assisting employees or passengers during critical and emergency situations.
• Experience and ability to secure and preserve an area for emergency response personnel.
• Transit-related safety and security training.

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a hybrid environment with an expectation of working in office a minimum of 3 days per week.

• Work is performed in a hybrid office and field environment.

• Positions working in field may occasionally be exposed to dangerous machinery, extreme weather conditions, physical harm, hazardous chemicals, and/or extreme noise.
• This position is responsible for critical incident response which could involve a wide range of physical activities to assist first responder and mitigate safety/security threats. May be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pushing, pulling, reaching, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, carrying up to 25 pounds, and lifting over 50 pounds. 
• This role will be required to respond to emergencies at locations that are not accessible by public transit, or to situations that interrupt transit modes, at any time of day (including weekends/nights).
• The Agency promotes a safe and healthy work environment and provides appropriate safety and equipment training for all personnel as required. 

Sound Transit is an equal employment opportunity employer. No person is unlawfully excluded from employment action based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status or other protected class.