Tentative Classification Standards issued by the Division of Classification & Compensation are shared with the operating agencies of State government for their consideration and comment. Accordingly, this document that you are viewing is subject to change and will be issued in final form at the completion of the review period.

TENTATIVE

 

Occ. Code 8755300

 

chief safety and security officer, GRADE 20

 

New York State Department of Civil Service

 

Classification Standard

 

 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF CLASS

 

 

Positions in this class are responsible for the overall effective and efficient operations of a safety and security operation which includes: supervision of all safety and security personnel; the maintenance of safety equipment and records; and the development, monitoring, and evaluation of all policies and procedures.  Such is performed under the guise of all safety, security, and fire protection services involved with the enforcement of all related State, federal, and local laws, rules, and regulations.  Incumbents are active in disaster preparedness and emergency planning within their respective State facilities.

 

These positions are found at the Department of Health (DOH), and the treatment facilities of the Office of Mental Health (OMH) and the Office of Mental Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD).  Incumbents at the various agencies are responsible for the total care of patients, consumers, clients, residents, visitors, and staff.

 

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS

 

Chief Safety and Security Officers have peace officer status (Mental Hygiene Law, Sections 7.25 and 13.25, Public Health Law Section 455, and Criminal Procedure Law Section 2.10).  Incumbents supervise subordinate Safety and Security Officer staff, work with higher level facility personnel, and are responsible for maintaining good relations with representatives of local and State Police and fire departments.

 

RELATED CLASSES

 

Safety and Security Officers 2 are working supervisors responsible for all the activities of a force of less than ten Safety and Security Officers 1 or serve as shift supervisors on an assigned shift under the direction of a Chief Safety and Security Officer.  Incumbents provide the full range of supervision, direction, and guidance to Safety and Security Officers 1, including training in proper procedures, scheduling duty assignments, and directly supervising the handling of major incidents.

 

ILLUSTRATIVE DUTIES

 

Supervise and direct all safety and security personnel.

 

·      Review and approve schedules and assignments made by Safety and Security Officers 2 in order to ensure maximum coverage by available manpower.

 

·      Respond to questions, problems, complaints, and grievances from officers, facility staff, visitors, and residents.

 

·      Prepare annual employee performance ratings for Safety and Security Officers 2; review all marginal and unsatisfactory annual employee ratings prepared by Safety and Security Officers 2; and discuss with such employees in an attempt to improve performance.

 

·      Ensure that staff is trained to recognize and immediately report potential and actual safety incidents. 

 

·      Select and assign subordinates to attend appropriate training courses.

 

·      Document and analyze events and incidents which identify common causes, trends, and patterns that predict and prevent injury and other incidents.

 

·      Conduct, manage, and oversee various building and site inspections for compliance with applicable codes and regulations.

 

·      Develop protocols and education programs that address a safe, secure, and therapeutic environment.

 

·      Periodically tour grounds to review the work of subordinates ensuring the completion of assigned duties in an effective and efficient manner; and answer questions on safety/security problems, policies, procedures, rules, and regulations.

 

·      Personally respond to critical situations and incidents including but not limited to: accidents and medical emergencies, burglaries, robberies, thefts, assaults, drug violations, abuse of residents, criminal trespass, criminal mischief, fires, bomb threats, and missing residents.

 

·      Review reports prepared by subordinates for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to guidelines in order to ensure that adequate and legally acceptable records of incidents and activities are available.

 

·      Meet with local and State Police regarding investigations and other matters.

 

·      Oversee the reporting and investigation of lost/missing/stolen items and recommends actions.

 

·      Prepare narrative monthly and annual summary reports and make oral and written recommendations on the enforcement of safety and security services.

 

·      Coordinate new employee and annual refresher training for all employees in fire safety, evacuation reporting, and live use of extinguishers (both at the facility and in the community).

 

·      Complete monthly reports, audit logs, and promulgate and issue safety regulations memos and bulletins.  Maintain records for external certification and inspection.

 

·      Responsible for the department budget, purchasing expenditures, materials, equipment, and outside contracts for inspection, testing, and repair of systems and equipment.

 

·      Provide guidance in mitigation, preparation, response, and recovery; and work closely with State and local emergency managers.

 

·      Involved in conducting disaster drills, critique the results, and recommend improvements.

 

·      Represent the Safety Office on various committees regarding health and safety and disaster planning.

 

Maintain safety equipment and records.

 

·      Ensure patrol vehicles are properly equipped.

 

·      Assist facility personnel with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) Critical Driver Program by validating drivers licenses for new employees and loss or reinstatement of licenses.

 

·      Oversee the completion of motor vehicle accident reports and submission to Office of General Services (OGS) Accident Records Bureau.

 

·      Transmit DMV citations to local town courts and coordinate officer attending at adjudication.

 

·      Survey or review surveys of parking conditions and pedestrian and vehicular traffic to determine appropriate parking areas and traffic regulations and methods of curtailing or eliminating traffic.

 

·      Responsible for ensuring legal Department of Transportation (DOT) signage is used on grounds.

 

Develop, monitor, and evaluate all policies and procedures.

 

·      Conduct assessments of risks and ongoing programs to identify risks and problems.

 

·      Develop and maintain the written Security Management Plan and Program to effectively manage security for patients, staff, guests, and visitors.

 

·      Coordinate activities related to establishing and maintaining procedures for the security program.

 

·      Implement policies and procedures to guide the safety and security staff and all other staff in their roles and responsibilities for responding to a variety of emergencies and incidents.

 

·      Establish processes to protect patients, staff and their property by reducing the occurrence, the probability, and the effects of person-to-person violence.

 

May be responsible for contracts involving inspection, testing, and repair of alarm and fire suppression systems.  This includes such areas as sprinkler systems and security alarms.

 

May be hazardous materials and waste management facility lead.

 

Direct the enforcement of the New York State Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code (Uniform Code) at all buildings or premises.

 

·      Review relevant portions of the National Fire Protection Associations Life Safety Code 101, and other related laws and codes to determine fire and safety rules and regulations.

 

·      Instruct staff and subordinates in fire prevention and fire control techniques, fire and safety laws, rules, and regulations and the operation of fire fighting and first aid equipment.

 

·      May coordinate staff training in fire science, fire fighting, use of equipment, self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA), fit testing, and training, and training in lawful use of force, NYS Building Codes, Courses 40-44.

 

·      Direct the conduct of fire drills at the facility for all locations, all shifts, and maintain records, recommend corrective actions, and retrain.

 

·      Monitor fire drill reports of all community locations reviewing compliance with existing time requirements.

 

·      Coordinate quarterly testing of fire alarm systems and fire sprinkler systems both on facility grounds and community locations; ensure minor in-house repairs and outside contractor services; coordinate outside contractor specialized annual and bi-annual five-year testing of systems; and coordinate the inspection and testing of fire extinguishers, standpipe hoses, hydrants, pumper truck and SCBA equipment.

 

Fire Safety Management

 

·      Ensure that an interim Life Safety Inspection of construction sites is completed daily at the beginning and end of the construction day.

 

·      Conduct pre-construction risk assessments prior to the start of any construction.

 

·      Responsible for the development and maintenance of a written management plan for the Fire Safety Management Program.

 

·      Identify and implement proactive processes for protecting patients, staff, and others, including protecting property from fire, smoke and other products of combustion.

 

·      Review changes in regulations; assess needed changes to fire protection and life safety equipment, and perform activities essential to implement the Fire Safety Management Program on a routine basis for all buildings, property and grounds.

 

·      Inspection, testing, and maintenance of fire protection and life safety systems, equipment, and components on a regular basis.

 

·      Development and implementation of the facility fire response plan and program.

 

COMMUNICATION

 

These positions have the same kinds of contact with patients, visitors and staff at facilities they serve as do Safety and Security Officers.  (See Classification Standard for Safety and Security Officer 1). Chief Safety and Security Officers frequently consult with the Business Officer or Deputy Director concerning the appropriate procedures to be followed in the handling of the most difficult safety/security incidents such as those involving deaths or serious injury or to provide suggestions and recommendations on safety/security procedures.

 

            Chief Safety and Security Officers periodically meet with representatives of local fire departments and State and local police departments to discuss problems of mutual concern and to plan solutions to these problems.

 

            Chief Safety and Security Officers in OMH have frequent oral and written communications with the Director of Mental Health Safety and Environmental Services concerning Department-wide policies and procedures on the delivery of safety/security services.

 

SUPERVISION EXERCISED

 

Chief Safety and Security Officers are directly supervised by positions such as a Deputy Director, a Business Officer, a Plant Superintendent, etc.  The Chief Safety and Security Officer consults with them concerning the handling of the most difficult safety/security incidents or problems.  Chief Safety and Security Officers in OMH also receive technical supervision in the form of directives and consultation from the Director of Mental Health Safety and Environmental Services on Department-wide policies and procedures.

 

            Chief Safety and Security Officers directly supervise Safety and Security Officers 2 and through them subordinate staff.  Chief Safety and Security Officers review and approve schedules and assignments prepared by Safety and Security Officers 2.  They review narrative, tabular, and special investigatory reports prepared by subordinates and periodically accompany Safety and Security Officers 1 on patrol to directly observe their performance.

 

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

 

Appointments to this class are made by competitive promotion examination of candidates having one year of satisfactory service as a Safety and Security Officer 2.

 

Date:  4/08

 

 

NOTE: Classification Standards illustrate the nature, extent and scope of duties and responsibilities of the classes they describe.  Standards cannot and do not include all of the work that might be appropriately performed by a class.  The minimum qualifications above are those which were required for appointment at the time the Classification Standard was written.  Please contact the Division of Staffing Services for current information on minimum qualification requirements for appointment or examination.