Security Officer Transit presso City of Petersburg, VA

About the Department

General Description

The purpose of this class within the organization is to provide unarmed security in the MASS Transit Unit.

This class works under general supervision, independently developing work methods and sequences. 

Duties and Responsibilities

The functions listed below are those that represent the majority of the time spent working in this class. Management may assign additional functions related to the type of work of the class as necessary.

Position Duties

Essential Functions:

Insures the safety of transit passengers.

Monitors cameras; checks security equipment. 

Enforce policies; conducts routine patrols; reports safety and security deficiencies.

Opens and secures the station/building.

Monitors buses; provides any needed assistance to customers or employees.

Reports incidents and crimes to police; testifies in court proceedings.

Identify suspicious activities, and handles it appropriately; responds to varying situations tactfully while conveying a professional image.

Communicates via two-way radio; and completes daily reports and incident reports. 

Displays a positive and professional interaction with staff, patrons, and the public as a representative of the City.

Additional Duties:

Performs related work as assigned.

Responsibilities, Requirements and Impacts

Data Responsibility:

Data Responsibility refers to information, knowledge, and conceptions obtained by observation, investigation, interpretation, visualization, and mental creation.  Data are intangible and include numbers, words, symbols, ideas, concepts, and oral verbalizations.

Computes or performs arithmetic operations using data or information.

People Responsibility:

People include co-workers, workers in other areas or agencies and the general public.

 Persuades or influences others in favor of a service, point of view, or course of action; may enforce laws, rules, regulations, or ordinances.

Asset Responsibility:

Assets responsibility refers to the responsibility for achieving economies or preventing loss within the organization.

Requires some responsibility for achieving minor economies and/or preventing minor losses through the handling of or accounting for materials, supplies or small amounts of money.

Mathematical Requirements:

Mathematics requires the use of symbols, numbers and formulas to solve mathematical problems.

 Uses basic addition and subtraction, such as making change or measuring.

Communications Requirements:

Communications involves the ability to read, write, and speak.

Reads technical instructions, procedures manuals and charts to solve practical problems, such as assembly instruction for tools, routine office equipment operating instructions, and methods and procedures for investigations and in drawing and layout work; composes routine reports and specialized reports, forms, and business letters, with proper format; speaks compound sentences using normal grammar and word form.

Judgment Requirements:

Judgment requirements refer to the frequency and complexity of judgments and decisions given the stability of the work environments, the nature and type of guidance, and the breadth of impact of the judgments and decisions.

Responsible for the actions of others, requiring almost constant decisions affecting co-workers, crime victims, patients, customers, clients or others in the general public; works in a moderately fluid environment with guidelines and rules, but frequent variations from the routine.

Complexity of Work:

Complexity addresses the analysis, initiative, ingenuity, concentration and creativity, required by the job and the presence of any unusual pressures present in the job.

Performs semi-skilled work involving set procedures and rules, but with frequent problems; requires normal attention with short periods of concentration for accurate results or occasional exposure to unusual pressure. 

Impact of Errors:

Impact of errors refers to consequences such as damage to equipment and property, loss of data, exposure of the organization to legal liability, and injury or death for individuals.

The impact of errors is serious – affects most units in organization, and may affect citizens.

Physical Demands:

Physical demands refer to the requirements for physical exertion and coordination of limb and body movement.

Performs light work that involves walking or standing most of the time and involves exerting up to 20 pounds of force on a regular and recurring basis, or skill, adeptness and speed in the use of fingers, hands or limbs on repetitive operation of mechanical or electronic office or shop machines or tools within moderate tolerances or limits of accuracy.

Equipment Usage:

Equipment usage involves responsibility for materials, machines, tools, equipment, work aids, and products.

Handles or uses hand held two way radios, equipment or work aids involving moderate latitude for judgment regarding attainment of a standard or in selecting appropriate items.

Unavoidable Hazards:

Unavoidable hazards refer to the job conditions that may lead to injury or health hazards even though precautions have been taken.

Bright/dim light; dusts and pollen vibration; fumes and/or noxious odors traffic and moving machinery.

Safety of Others:

Safety of others refers to the level of responsibility for the safety of others, either inherent in the job or to ensure the safety of the general public. 

Requires responsibility for the safety and health of others and for occasional enforcement of the laws and standards of public health and safety.

Minimum Qualifications

Minimum Education and Experience Requirements:

Requires High School graduation or GED equivalent.   

Requires two years of security/law enforcement experience is required.  An equivalent combination of training and experience (as approved by the department) may be used to meet the minimum qualifications of the position.

Special Certifications and Licenses:

Valid Virginia Driver’s License.

Must have current Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services registration.

Americans with Disabilities Act Compliance

The City of Petersburg is an Equal Opportunity Employer.   ADA requires the City of Petersburg to provide adequate accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are encouraged to discuss ADA accommodations with management.