Security Specialist

Job Description

The Security Specialist serves as a central coordination point for day-to-day security operations, supporting the safety, security, and integrity of Northwest through monitoring, intake, and execution of routine security functions. This role is responsible for receiving and triaging incoming requests, monitoring surveillance and alarm activity for potential risks, and coordinating appropriate responses in support of the Security Technicians and leadership.

The Security Specialist performs system administration tasks including access control, alarm management, and visitor/vendor systems, ensuring accuracy, timeliness, and compliance with established standards. This position coordinates service requests, work orders, troubleshooting, and equipment support activities, while maintaining clear communication with internal partners and external vendors.

Additionally, the Security Specialist maintains a professional and controlled front-desk presence, serving as the first point of contact for all visitors and vendors. This includes managing lobby activity, verifying and directing visitors, administering visitor management systems, and ensuring adherence to established security protocols.

Success in this role requires strong attention to detail, consistent follow-through, and the ability to manage assigned responsibilities independently while maintaining a professional and responsive presence.

Essential Functions
* Maintain a professional and secure front-desk presence, managing lobby activity, verifying visitors and vendors, administering visitor management systems, and enforcing established security protocols.
* Monitor security systems including surveillance, alarms, and access control for unusual or suspicious activity and escalate appropriately.
* Respond to alarm activity, including after-hours notifications, performing initial troubleshooting and coordinating response efforts.
* Administer security systems, including credential creation, updates, PIN management, and employee authorization levels.
* Create and manage employee and vendor identification badges in accordance with security standards.
* Process security access requests and support device and credential distribution as required.
* Support employee deprovisioning requirements as required.
* Coordinate and track service requests, work orders, and equipment maintenance, including vendor scheduling and follow-through.
* Monitor, manage, and finalize security work orders to ensure timely and accurate completion.
* Perform routine system audits, testing, and documentation to ensure operational effectiveness and compliance.
* Prepare, maintain, and distribute security logs, reports, and documentation with accuracy and timeliness.
* Manage recurring reporting requirements (daily, monthly, quarterly) related to system activity, access, and compliance.
* Utilize surveillance systems to review and investigate alarm events and support incident response and follow-up.
* Provide intake and coordination support for emergency response activities, including assisting with evacuations and notifying appropriate personnel.
* Maintain awareness of personnel presence and activity within secured areas as appropriate to support safety and response efforts.
* Ensure knowledge of regular personnel whereabouts
* Manage lost and found inventory in accordance with established procedures.
* Support other Security Specialist roles in other locations.
* Provide professional call handling and Security Helpline coverage, ensuring requests are documented, prioritized, and routed appropriately.
* Maintain a clean, organized, and functional front desk and security workspace at all times.
* Provide administrative support functions aligned with security operations as needed.

Additional Essential Functions
Essential Functions
* Ensure compliance with Northwest's policies and procedures, and Federal/State regulations
* Navigate Microsoft Office Software, computer applications, and software specific to the department in order to maximize technology tools and gain efficiency
* Work as part of a team
* Work with on-site equipment

Additional Responsibilities
* Perform additional duties and support special projects as assigned, consistent with the scope of the role.

Safety and Health for those without supervisory duties
* Abide by the rules of the safety and loss prevention program
* Perform work tasks in a safe manner
* Report any and all injuries to supervisor
* Know what to do in case of an emergency

QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Preferred Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Preferred Work Experience

2 - 3 years Security Center experienceor
2 - 3 years Lobby/Front Desk experience or
2 - 3 years Law enforcement administration experience

General Employee Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

* Ability to establish effective working relationships among team members and participate in solving problems and making decisions
* Ability to present and express ideas and information clearly and concisely in a manner appropriate to the audience, whether oral or written
* Ability to actively listen to what others are saying to achieve understanding, sharing information with others and facilitating the open exchange of ideas and information
* Ability to establish courses of action for self to accomplish specific goals, develop and use tracking systems for monitoring own work progress, and effectively use resources such as time and information
* Ability to make right decisions based on perceptive and analytical processes, practicing good judgment in gray areas

Additional Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Knowledge of security systems including surveillance, access control, and alarm platforms.
Demonstrated attention to detail in managing system data, access changes, and documentation.
Ability to take ownership of tasks and ensure completion with accuracy and timeliness.
Ability to maintain a professional demeanor and communication style in a front-desk and security-sensitive environment
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities simultaneously, balancing front desk, system monitoring, and administrative tasks.
Ability to learn and effectively utilize security systems, software platforms, and department specific tools.
Ability to recognize, assess, and appropriately respond to unusual or suspicious activity.

Northwest is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.