Senior Security Specialist

Salary range is $65k to $150k, with a midpoint of $105k.  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.
• 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.

GENERAL PURPOSE: 

The Senior Security Specialist is responsible for conducting audits and analysis, both written and physical, in relation to contracted Security staff.  They will monitor and report on their activities to verify that they are fulfilling the expectations of Sound Transit as documented in the Security contract, job descriptions, and ongoing discussions between Sound Transit Public Safety personnel and contracted management.  Contracted security is a 24/7 operation. 

Senior Security Specialists will be required to work irregular schedules to fulfil inspection/audit requirements. 

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.

• Assists the Security Operations Program Manager with oversight of the security contract, which currently includes a Transit Security Unit, Fare Enforcement Program, and Security Operations Center, by analyzing current performance and providing strategies for ongoing program support/improvement.
• May be involved in the direction and the development of SOW (Statement of Work) for Specialists as agency and programs grow. 
• Participates in weekly meetings with contract security management and operations staff.
• Participates in the voluntary professional development of our contract Security Managers and Supervisors through timely dissemination of the Security Operations Newsletter as well as Lunch and Learn events.
• Promotes effective communications and collaboration between Security contract, Law Enforcement contract and agency personnel on issues related to physical security, threat mitigation, criminal activity and overall system safety.
• Serves as an effective member of teams and working groups that can successfully communicate physical security related concepts to a broad range of technical and non-technical staff.
• Establishes and maintains effective working relationships with diverse work groups and individuals, including agency staff, management, vendors, outside agencies, businesses and the public; effectively representing agency programs in contacts with the public, and other government agencies and applying effective communication techniques.
• Works with Security Operations Program Manager to manage the review and physical audits of various contract security posts ensuring the results are consistent with contracts and other transit documentation.
• Tracks the Safety and Security Certification processes as outlined in the current policies and procedures, providing analysis, recommendations, and program support as needed.
• Provides general support to the Public Safety Division with Facilities and Safety personnel to identify, evaluate, and resolve hazards and risks within Sound Transit facilities and administrative buildings.
• Participates in Safety Department and inter-Agency meetings related to Safety and Security issues on Sounder and Link Light Rail.
• Reviews and directs updates of contractor Post Orders for the various security posts, managing the communication, and documentation of updates and changes.
• Assists with direction for the creation of new Post Orders for new assignments as needed, managing the communication and documentation of the new Orders.
• Plans and documents security services for safety certifications of new public transit facilities.
• Provides discrete physical security during meetings that are sensitive in nature. 
• Identifies physical security and safety related issues and proposes mitigating strategies and/or collaborates with appropriate agency or contract personnel for successful mitigation.
• Critical Incident response and management.
• Special event planning and management.
• At the direction of the Security Operations Program Manager, Deputy Director or Director of Public Safety, may conduct or participate in investigations.
• Conduct onsite inspections and audits of Security personnel to ensure they are in compliance with Sound Transit requirements set forth in the security contract.
• Prepares audit reports documenting the review and physical audits of contract security and manages the distribution and tracking of corrective actions.
• Prepares written recommendations to change and upgrade existing policies, procedures, and standards for Sound Transit’s contracted security program.
• Reviews weekly, daily activity reports from security contractor to confirm service hours and expectations.
• Routinely audits training conducted by the security contractor to ensure Sound Transit expectations of service delivery to security personnel assigned to the Sound Transit account.
• Possess understanding of project management techniques and principles.
• Review Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to identify when/if updates are needed.
• 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: Bachelor's degree with an emphasis in Security, Occupational Health, Business Management, or closely related field and four years of experience in physical security that includes reviewing threat and vulnerability assessments; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications:  

• Valid state driver’s license. Position is responsible for site inspections or responses to sites at any time. Sites may be at locations not serviced by public transit or when transit is not operating. May be required to bring heavy equipment.
• Public Transportation Safety Certification Training Program (PTSCTP) Certificate (within 2 years)

Preferred Licenses or Certifications:  

• Physical Security Professional (PSP) certification.

Required Knowledge and Skills:

• Operational characteristics, services, and activities of general security and law enforcement functions.
• Crime Prevention through Environmental Design principles.
• Sound Transit, its current services, and system expansion plans.
• English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation.
• Customer service principles and practices.
• Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes and regulations.
• Methods and techniques of data collection, research, and report preparation.
• Principles of Access Control Systems, Alarm Systems (intrusion and duress), Barrier Systems (Fencing, Pedestrian, and Vehicle), Communication Systems (Customer Emergency Stations, Mass Notification, 800Mhz Radio), and Surveillance Systems (CCTV and Lighting).
• Systems design, development, documentation, testing, implementation, and/or maintenance.
• Retrieving, analyzing, reporting, and addressing security intrusions and vulnerabilities.
• Program/project management techniques and principles.
• Modern office procedures, methods, and equipment including computers.
• Computer applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and statistical databases.
• Exhibit a high degree of confidentiality and/or data sensitivity with demonstrated security/safety experience and knowledge, including project planning and implementation.
• Able to work independently, exhibiting tact and diplomacy through oral and written communication.
• Working effectively under pressure, managing multiple assignments, setting objectives/goals, meeting deadlines and adjusting to changing priorities.
• Display critical thinking skills to objectively analyze data, and the confidence to effectively communicate proposed actions or recommendations to key decision makers.
• Ability to view Sound Transit facilities and services through a customer-focused lens.
• Project manages security planning for service related disruptions and station closures, while anticipating how it may affect our customers.
• Able to lead by example, and consistently demonstrate excellent customer service.
• Ability to foster respect and inclusiveness in diverse settings.  
• Display the emotional intelligence to examine your perceptions or assumptions and explore ways to overcome unconscious bias.
• Be willing to listen to diverse viewpoints, and engage in meaningful discussion.  

Physical Demands / Work Environment:  

• Work is performed in a standard hybrid office, public transit, and construction site environments.
• 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 working in the field with contracted security. Role may be required to engage in physcial activities inluding but not limited to: moving items, clearing plaftorms, assisting with setting up or taking down crowd control barriers, or installing signage. May be subject to bending, climbing, crawling, eye/hand coordination, grasping, hearing, kneeling, pusshing, pulling, reaching repetitive motion, sitting, standing, talking, seeing, walking, and carrying and lifting objects over to 50 pounds.
• Security events occur 24/7. Senior Specialist must be able to flex their work schedule to be available on weekends and 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.