Safety and Security Technician-Transportation

Title: Safety and Security Technician-Transportation

State Role Title: 49053

Hiring Range: $42,503.00 to $58,654.00; Salary 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

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 - Transportation to transport patients housed in the Maximum Security Unit safely and securely to various destinations on and off campus. Also, to provide therapeutic and physical interventions when needed.

Job Duties Include:
• Transport and escort patients safely and securely to destinations both on and off campus.
• Maintain a professional demeanor at all times while transporting patients.
• Ensures all vehicles and clients are properly searched before transport.
• Properly apply metal transport restraints and or flex cuff restraints as needed.
• Ensure that patients are properly restrained while out of the unit.
• Maintain proper coverage with patients while out of the unit.
• Report any and all problems immediately to the shift supervisor.
• Ensures that only authorized persons enter and exit your areas of control.
• Ability to drive long distances, on highways, narrow roadways, tunnels, bridges and areas of high altitude and low altitude.
• Operates electrically controlled doors to allow access into and out of secure areas.
• Screen all staff and visitors by metal detector before entering the unit.
• Properly check all bags, purses, brief cases, etc. that all persons bring into the unit.
• Supervise and observe patients at assigned posts.
• Follow key control policy.
• Ensure that all vehicles are properly scanned and searched prior to allowing access into the gates.
• Work various security posts as needed while following post orders
Communicate with patients, staff and visitors in a positive manner.
• Build rapports and therapeutic relationships with patients
• Provide monitoring and assistance to activities in order to maintain a safe therapeutic environment
• Engage in activities with patients in order to build rapports and professional relationships
• Use safety plans to deescalate situations without the use of physical intervention
• Use communication skills to avoid the use of restrictive measures
• Promote positive behavior by serving as a role model.
• Make rounds throughout the unit to ensure a safe environment
• Maintain a professional and respectful demeanor at all times when interacting with patients.
• Respond in a professional manner to various incidents and emergencies and assist as directed by the on duty charge person.
• Make rounds and monitor patient activities.
• Properly monitor special staffing assignments
• Monitor and Assist with hearings held by the judge inside the Unit.
All others duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

• - Valid Virginia Driver’s License
• - Security Experience and Mental Health Experience
• Requires the ability to:
• - Communicate both orally and in writing
• - Use good judgment
• - Lift heavy objects, bend at waist and knees, walk or stand a minimum of 90% of the time on the shift, use upper extremities (hands) to hold, grasp and manipulate work materials,
• - Administer CPR
• - Work overtime hours
• - Perform and adapt to new software and hardware technology to perform the duties of this role including but not limited to computers and scanners

Additional Considerations

- Security and Mental Health Experience in an Inpatient Hospital Setting

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 Services (DBHDS) cannot employ or utilize as volunteers, individuals convicted of specific ("barrier") crimes or those with pending "barrier" charges.

Reasonable Accommodations: Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities during the application and/or interview process in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you require assistance or accommodation, please notify Human Resources at (804) 524-7111 during business hours (8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).

Equal Opportunity: The Commonwealth of Virginia is committed to conducting all aspects of human resource management without regard to race (or traits historically associated with race, including hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles such as braids, locks, and twists), sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, veteran status, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, and pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions.* There shall be no retaliation against anyone making allegations of violations of this policy.

Veteran Preference: DBHDS is a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer and provides hiring preference to qualified veterans and service members. We highly encourage veterans, active members of the Virginia National Guard, and U.S. Military Reserve members to apply and respond accordingly on the state application.

Benefits: DBHDS offers a comprehensive benefits package, including your choice of health plans, paid life insurance, retirement plans, 13 paid holidays, annual leave, family personal leave, sick leave, employee discount programs, and more!

Contact Information

• Name: Human Resources
• Phone: 1-804-524-7111
• Email: CSHRecruitment@dbhds.virginia.gov

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly COD) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans are encouraged to answer Veteran status questions and submit their disability documentation, if applicable, to DARS/DBVI to get their AHP Letter. Requesting an AHP Letter can be found at AHP Letter or by calling DARS at 800-552-5019.

Note: Applicants who received a Certificate of Disability from DARS or DBVI dated between April 1, 2022- February 29, 2024, can still use that COD as applicable documentation for the Alternative Hiring Process.