Safety and Security Technician

Title: Safety and Security Technician

State Role Title: 49053

Hiring Range: Minimum Salary $40,063; to Commensurate with Experience

Pay Band: 3

Agency: Dept Behavioral Health/Develop

Location: Central State Hospital

Agency Website: https://dbhds.virginia.gov/facilities/csh/

Recruitment Type: General Public - G

Job Duties

***Any and all qualifications that you have must be represented in your application/resume as verifiable work experience.***

Central State Hospital (CSH) is a 277 bed Joint Commission accredited psychiatric inpatient facility located in Petersburg, Virginia. CSH has proudly been serving citizens of the Commonwealth since 1870, when we opened our doors as the first psychiatric hospital in the country dedicated to the treatment of African Americans. A new and modern CSH is currently under construction on the same property, with a scheduled completion date of 2027.

CSH maintains the only maximum-security treatment facility in the state (111 beds). We also have 166 beds available for individuals in the community who need inpatient care, as well as individuals in the criminal justice system. We believe that treatment should be holistic and focused on the person’s individual needs, recognizing that recovery is not linear or the same for every person. Treatment modalities may include medication, evidence-based group and individual therapy, peer support, psychosocial rehabilitation, vocational training, preparation for court, and treatment for substance use.

Central State Hospital is recruiting a Safety and Security Technician.

Job Duties:
- Responsible for controlling all access to and from a maximum-security unit where court ordered patients from the
criminal justice system are assigned for psychiatric evaluation and/or treatment.
- Determine positive identification of staff and visitors.
- Screen visitors.
- Secure necessary approval for entry and exit.
- Ensure only authorized persons enter and/or leave the forensic unit.

- Other duties include but are not limited to:
- Supervising and observing patients’ activities.
- Transporting and escorting patients within the forensic unit or to destinations throughout the facility, to courts,
hospitals, medical appointments and other facilities in the state.
- Assisting with the admission process to include the searching of patients and explaining unit policies/regulations.
- Securing items not allowed in the unit.
- Inspecting packages.
- Operating electrical doors.
- Receiving incoming telephone calls.
- Notifying staff of deliveries.
- Issuing keys and maintaining a key record inventory.

**The Safety and Security Technician is also responsible for understanding and using the least restrictive interventions, per hospital policy, and to successfully avoid the use of seclusion and restraint whenever possible. **

Minimum Qualifications

- Must be able to work ANY SHIFT.
- Previous Security Experience.
- Valid Virginia Driver’s license.
- Previous Mental Health Experience in a Hospital setting.

Additional Considerations

- DCJS Certification.

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 detail all relevant work experience clearly and specifically; 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 Servic