Security Officer (Trauma-Informed Residential Services)

Security Officer (Trauma-Informed Residential Services)

Department: Operations
Reports To: Director of Operations (or Security Supervisor)
Status: Full-Time, Non-Exempt (40 hours/week)
Schedule: Days, Evenings, Overnight, Weekends, and Holidays as Assigned

Position Summary

The Security Officer plays a vital role in creating a safe, welcoming, secure, and trauma-informed environment for participants, staff, visitors, and community partners across A Step to Freedom's Interim Housing programs. Unlike traditional security positions focused solely on enforcement, this role emphasizes relationship-building, de-escalation, observation, accountability, and supportive engagement while ensuring compliance with agency policies and safety procedures.

Security Officers serve as the first point of contact for many participants and are responsible for monitoring the facility, documenting activity, controlling access, conducting security screenings and searches in accordance with agency policy, responding to emergencies, maintaining a clean and orderly work environment, and ensuring the facility remains safe and secure at all times while treating every individual with dignity and respect.

Essential Responsibilities

Facility Safety & Security

• Monitor all entrances, exits, common areas, parking areas, and surrounding property.
• Conduct routine interior and exterior patrols throughout each shift.
• Ensure the safety and security of participants, staff, volunteers, and visitors.
• Ensure all entrances, exits, gates, and restricted areas remain locked and secured unless authorized for use.
• Secure buildings, offices, storage rooms, medication areas, and other restricted spaces.
• Identify and report maintenance hazards or unsafe conditions immediately.
• Respond promptly to alarms, emergencies, disturbances, or suspicious activity.
• Assist during fire drills, evacuations, medical emergencies, and crisis situations.
• Wear the assigned ASF Security uniform, including a visible security shirt and/or jacket, at all times while on duty unless otherwise authorized.

Security Searches & Contraband Prevention

• Conduct participant property searches in accordance with agency policies and procedures.
• Conduct participant person searches when authorized using trauma-informed practices.
• Conduct random and scheduled room inspections to ensure compliance with program rules and identify prohibited items.
• Document all searches accurately and objectively.
• Properly secure, document, and report prohibited items.

Housekeeping & Facility Appearance

• Maintain a neat, clean, organized, and professional security workspace.
• Perform standard sanitation duties including replacing trash liners, wiping surfaces, and maintaining assigned security areas.
• Assist with routine grounds upkeep by removing litter and reporting hazards.
• Report maintenance concerns requiring repair

Required Knowledge & Skills

• Trauma Informed Care
• Verbal De-Escalation
• Crisis Intervention
• Report Writing
• Observational Skills
• Sound Judgement
• Professional Boundaries
• Professional Communication
• Conflict Resolution
• Customer Service

Physical Requirements

• The employee must regularly:
• Walk through the property during patrols.
• Stand for extended periods
• Climb stairs
• Lift and carry up to 40 pounds
• Respond quickly during emergencies
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED
• Valid California BSIS Guard Card
• Minimum one (1) year of experience in security, corrections, shelters, behavioral health, residential treatment, social services, or a related field preferred.
• Valid California Driver License preferred
• CPR and First Aid Certification (or ability to obtain within 90 days).
• Ability to successfully complete a criminal background screening.

About A Step to Freedom

We offer an inclusive environment where all are empowered to share their diverse perspectives and experiences so we can ultimately be better together. Our policies, practices, programs, activities and decisions regarding employment, hiring, assignment, compensation, and volunteerism are not based on a person’s race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, mental or physical disability, ancestry, military discharge status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, parental status, housing status, or other protected status.

A Step to Freedom is an at-will employer, meaning we or our employees have the right to terminate the employment relationship at any time, for any reason, with or without cause.

Job Type: Full Time/Part Time

Pay Rate: $20/hour

Work Location:

• Los Angeles, CA 90003

Additional Responsibilities

The complete job description also includes participant movement tracking, trauma-informed participant engagement, incident response, documentation and reporting, access control, staff collaboration, observation and prevention, customer service, qualifications, required skills, physical requirements, performance expectations, required training, and ASF's Security Philosophy.