Professional Safety Officer

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Hiring Range: $22.36 per hour with excellent benefits.

Location

Tacoma, WA 98447.

Department:

Department:
Campus Safety & Information

Posting Date:

Posting Date: 10/06/2026

Closing Date

Closing Date When a sufficient number of qualified applicants have been identified.

Work Schedule:

Full-time, Thursday-Sunday 8:00pm-6:00am.
Shift times and dates may be adjusted for training or department needs.

This position is eligible to receive a pay differential of $1.00 per hour, for hours worked between 9:00pm and 4:59am.

General Description:

The Professional Safety Officer is responsible for the safety and security of the Pacific Lutheran University campus and its personnel. This is accomplished through providing a presence on campus, interacting positively and professionally with community members and guests, and performing a variety of daily tasks. Reports to the Assistant Director of Campus Safety

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Engage with community members in a culturally responsive manner and with the goal of developing on-going relationships.
• Proactively monitor activity on campus by providing presence on campus on foot or in a vehicle.
• Lock and unlock buildings and perimeter gates and check fire panels in buildings.
• Assist individuals in locating or obtaining resources to address issues or special needs.
• Respond to emergency incidents, ensuring proper procedures are followed and notifications are made.
• Administer first aid and operate an AED machine.
• Assist local fire and law enforcement personnel in the performance of their duties as requested.
• Provide assistance with vehicle jump starts, walking escorts, and shuttle transports.
• Use weaponless defensive tactics, employing verbal skills to diffuse volatile or hostile situations.
• Perform dispatcher duties including, answering multi-line phones, entering data into the computer system, and addressing walk-in visitors.
• Write reports on incidents.
• Operate university vehicles in conformance with local laws and PLU policies.
• Attend professional development training such as Security Officer Academy and IC 100/200 and 700 certifications.
• Train new employees on department policies and procedures.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Excellent human relation skills; ability to deal with a wide variety of people; intercultural skill and capacity necessary to effectively engage individuals from a range of salient identities.
• Knowledge and skill in confrontation management.
• Ability to follow department policies, standard operating procedures, and directives.
• Ability to multi-task and make decisions quickly.
• Knowledge of radio operations, video console operations, and driving operations.
• Ability to deal with a variety of personalities in stressful situations.
• Ability to effectively and clearly read, write, speak and communicate the English language.
• Ability to communicate clear on a handheld radio.
• Knowledge of basic computer skills such as MS Word, MS Excel, Google Mail, and Calendar, and use of the internet.

Required Qualifications:

• 2 years of job-related safety/security experience, customer service experience, or equivalent training.
• High school diploma or GED .
• Valid driver’s license (Must have had a valid driver’s license for at least 2 years).
• First aid/ CPR / AED certification required and provided upon employment.
• Finalist applicants must satisfactorily complete pre-employment background checks, including a driving abstract check, and pass PLU’s Driver’s Certification Training.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in an academic…