Security Officer - Liliuokalani Center

Job description

Job Purpose The Security Officer provides frontline safety, security, and well-being support for all beneficiaries, families, staff, and visitors at the Liliʻuokalani Center. This position focuses on the day-to-day execution of established security procedures and post orders, supporting the Security Administrator in maintaining a safe, welcoming, and culturally grounded environment. The Security Officer emphasizes presence, prevention, positive engagement, and timely reporting, while contributing to the protection of Center facilities, assets, and community trust. Liliʻuokalani Center (LC): Informed by a deep understanding of the adolescent experience and grounded in Hawaiian culture, the Liliʻuokalani Center provides Hawaiian youth with opportunities to connect to peers and mentors, receive supportive services, and discover pathways to passion, purpose, and prosperity. LC serves as a safe, joyful, and inspiring space where youth can play, learn, build connections, and explore interests in arts, sports, technology, and entrepreneurship while receiving wraparound support. Essential Responsibilities Frontline Security & Patrol • Perform routine patrols of interior and exterior areas to identify safety hazards, unauthorized activity, property damage, or other unsafe conditions. • Monitor entrances, exits, stairwells, parking areas, and common spaces in accordance with post orders. • Assist with securing property, including locking, unlocking, and preparing facilities for daily operations and events. Incident Response & De escalation • Respond promptly to alarms, incidents, and emergencies following established SOPs. • Take immediate action to address conditions that pose a threat to life, health, or property, and notify the Security Administrator or appropriate personnel. • Utilize calm, respectful, and trauma-informed de-escalation techniques when assisting youth, staff, or visitors. Access Control & Monitoring • Enforce access control procedures, visitor protocols, and organizational policies. • Observe and report issues related to access control systems, surveillance cameras, alarms, or other security equipment. • Manage vehicular and pedestrian traffic and garage activity as assigned. Documentation & Communication • Complete accurate daily activity logs and incident reports in a timely manner. • Use two-way radios and other communication systems in accordance with established protocols. • Provide timely observations and relevant information to the Security Administrator to support operational decision-making. Youth Centered Presence & Customer Service • Understand that the Security Officer role at the Liliʻuokalani Center is not solely post-and-patrol; it is a relational safety role rooted in presence, trust, and mālama. • Establish and sustain pilina—trusting, respectful, and consistent relationships—with kamaliʻi through daily positive engagement, reliability, and genuine care. • Serve as a safe, approachable, and familiar adult presence, helping youth feel seen, supported, and protected within the Center. • Approach safety through a relationship-based, youth-centered lens, recognizing that trust, familiarity, and connection are foundational to prevention and de-escalation. • Engage kamaliʻi using positive youth development principles, emphasizing dignity, empathy, encouragement, and learning rather than enforcement alone. • Model calm communication, emotional regulation, and respectful conflict-resolution behaviors that reinforce social-emotional growth. • Proactively build rapport during everyday interactions—not only during incidents—to reduce conflict and support a culture of mutual respect and shared responsibility. • Collaborate closely with program staff to support transitions, high-energy periods, and moments when youth may need additional support or grounding. • Provide courteous, culturally grounded customer service to families, visitors, and partners while reinforcing Center expectations in alignment with organizational values. Other duties: • Participates in required training, drills, and continuing education related to security and safety. • Provides transportation for organization-related business when assigned, such as driving staff or program participants. • Supports team members by assisting with additional duties or assignments as needed. • Delivers programs or services as required and appropriate to the role. • Works flexible hours, including nights, weekends, and holidays, as operational needs require. Qualifications • High School diploma or equivalent required. • Valid State of Hawaii Driver’s License required. • State of Hawaiʻi Guard Card • Prior experience in security, customer service, public safety, or a related field preferred. • Basic knowledge of access control systems, video surveillance, and alarm systems preferred. • Familiarity with safety procedures, emergency response, and workplace regulations is a plus. • Ability to operate two-way radios and follow communication protocols. • Basic proficiency with computers, tablets, or mobile devices for reporting and communication. • Experience working with youth or comfort in youth-focused environments preferred. • Strong communication, observation, customer service, and organizational skills. Job Competencies • Aloha: awareness and approach to the work with compassion, empathy, and kindness. • ‘Imi Na’auao: a constant desire for seeking knowledge; lifelong learner. • Po’okele: desire to perform in excellence. • Wiwo’ole: maintain a courageous, brave, and fearless mindset. • Pono: understand the appropriateness of time, place, reason, people, and tools • Kuleana: bring a deep sense of responsibility and accountability • Communication: Clearly convey and receive information and ideas both orally and in writing. Engage the listener and invite response and feedback. Demonstrate strong written, oral, and listening skills • Problem Solving: Ability to solve problems and mediate in the center. Has prompt good judgement and common sense. Ability to exercise sound judgement in safeguarding confidential or sensitive information • Collaboration: Ability to interact effectively with youth, community partners, and multi-disciplinary teams. Knowledge of community resources and services • Ethical Practice: Model the highest level of ethical behavior, integrity, and social responsibility. Ability to exercise sound judgement in safeguarding confidential or sensitive information. Uphold and embody all LT values • Cultural Competence: Respect and relate well to people from varied backgrounds and sensitive to group differences. Experience working with at-risk youth and ability to apply positive youth development principles to that work • Relationship Management: Experience working with staff at all levels in a collaborative environment; ability to promote and sustain positive workplace values and relationships • Interpersonal Skills: Ability to work well under pressure and to remain calm and controlled when faced with challenging situations Travel Requirements: In alignment with our organizational competencies of Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork) and Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement), this position will require occasional travel across the island, inter-island, and out-of-state depending on the needs of the team and the organization. While travel may not always be a need, the ability to travel when required remains a crucial aspect of this position in order to successfully contribute to our concerted efforts to carry out our Queen’s legacy. Organization Competencies • Alignment with Queen’s legacy: Understanding and appreciation of Queen Liliuokalani’s story, her legacy and the Hawaiian Culture is foundational to staff’s commitment to working with our Hawaiian children, families and communities. Demonstrates respect for and appreciation of Hawaiian values history, and culture, understanding its implication in one’s work, in fostering meaningful relationships, and in embracing the community served. • Ho`omau i ka `imi Na`auao (Continuous Learning and Improvement): Committed to creating and reinforcing an environment of continuous learning and improvement. • Ho`ike i na Mana`o Pono (Effective Communication): Communicates with those we serve and each other in a consistent manner that results in mutual understanding, harmony, and action. • No'ono'o loi (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving): Actively and skillfully understands, conceptualizes, applies, analyzes, synthesizes, and/or evaluates information and develops and supports fact-based analyses and recommendations • Ho'o kumu a'e or `Imi hakuhia (Innovation): Identifies and integrates creative ideas into new or existing services and promotes effective problem-solving. • Pilina Ho`ohana a me ka Hana Hilina`i (Building Relationships and Creating Trust): Manages relationships to create optimal opportunities and move the organization forward. • Alu Like I ka Hana (Teamwork): Works cooperatively and collaboratively with others throughout the organization in alignment with the organization's objectives. • Ho`onui I ka `Ike (Capacity Building): Encourages personal growth by exhibiting trust and a belief in the capacity of others. Mental and Physical Demands: • Ability to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without reasonable accommodation, including walking, standing, sitting, bending, reaching, grasping, pushing, pulling, kneeling, and climbing stairs or ladders as required by job duties.The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. • Ability to lift and carry up to 25–50 pounds as necessary for job-related tasks. • Ability to communicate effectively, observe surroundings, and operate equipment or vehicles relevant to the position in accordance with training and safety procedures. • Ability to respond appropriately to emergency situations following established protocols and training. • Work may occur indoors and outdoors and may involve exposure to varying weather conditions, noise levels, uneven surfaces, moving machinery or vehicles, and other typical environmental conditions associated with security operations. • Position may require working independently or closely with others and may involve flexible or irregular hours, including nights, weekends, or holidays, based on operational needs. Terms and Conditions of Employment As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to LT’s policies and procedures. Job Title: Security Officer, Liliʻuokalani Center Reports to: Director, Operations – Liliʻuokalani Center FLSA Status: Non-Exempt Aligned Executive: President and Chief Executive Officer Kipuka: Liliʻuokalani Center Department: Liliʻuoakalani Center - Office Operations