Main Entrance Security Guard & Lead Security

Princeton Day School is seeking a Full-Time Main Entrance Security Guard & Lead Security. This position serves as a highly visible member of the Campus Safety team responsible for protecting the safety, security, and daily operational continuity of an independent school serving approximately 1,200 students, faculty, staff, parents, and visitors. Responsibilities extend beyond traditional security functions to include campus operations support, student attendance management, emergency preparedness, policy implementation, traffic and parking operations, and collaboration with school leadership to maintain a safe, welcoming, and student-centered environment.

The position provides a consistent and professional presence at the Main Entrance/Reception Area while maintaining campus-wide security responsibilities. The employee exercises independent judgment in responding to routine and emergency situations while balancing security, customer service, confidentiality, and the educational mission of the School.

In the absence of the Director of Safety and Security, the employee will assume the responsibilities of the Director as delegated by the School and will serve as the primary point of contact for Campus Safety matters. In such circumstances, the employee is responsible for the direction and supervision of Campus Safety/security staff and for maintaining continuity of Campus Safety operations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Campus Safety & Security

• Maintain a highly visible security presence throughout campus to deter criminal activity, promote a safe learning environment, and preserve order.
• Monitor and control the Main Entrance/Reception Area during the regular business day.
• Oversee, operate, and enforce Visitor Management System requirements for all building visitors.
• Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, students, visitors, contractors, and other authorized persons.
• Build positive, strong, and professional relationships with students, faculty, staff, parents, visitors, and other School constituents.
• Patrol school buildings and grounds to identify security concerns, safety hazards, maintenance issues, and other conditions requiring attention.
• Respond to alarms, emergencies, disturbances, medical incidents, suspicious activity, policy violations, and other security-related events.
• Coordinate with local police, fire, emergency medical services, and other outside agencies during incidents requiring external response.
• Conduct preliminary investigations into accidents, vandalism, suspicious activity, policy violations, and other incidents.
• Review CCTV footage and security system activity as required.
• Prepare accurate incident reports and maintain appropriate documentation of daily activities, irregularities, equipment or property damage, theft, unauthorized persons, and unusual occurrences.
• Monitor fire alarm, sprinkler, intrusion detection, access control, and related building security systems.
• Inspect and monitor security systems, equipment, and machinery for proper operation and evidence of tampering and contact appropriate contractors when necessary.
• Investigate reported or observed malfunctions involving temperature, lighting, open windows, security systems, and other building conditions.
• Monitor building systems, including HVAC, furnace, and boiler systems.
• Complete minor quick-fixes and adjustments when appropriate to address immediate operational or safety needs.
• Detect safety hazards, including conditions relevant to applicable fire codes, while monitoring for weaknesses in building security.
• Investigate vandalism and take appropriate action pending police response.
• Warn persons of policy infractions or violations and take appropriate action, including requesting removal from the premises or assisting law enforcement as circumstances require.
• Escort or transport individuals to specified locations when appropriate to provide assistance or personal protection.
• Assist with lockouts, dead vehicle batteries, lost persons, and other campus assistance needs.
• Assist with traffic control, parking management, special events, emergency evacuations, and severe weather operations.
• Control vehicle traffic and parking on campus and erect or remove barricades as required.
• Perform regular security rounds and maintain a visible presence throughout the campus.
• Serve as an information resource by answering questions and providing direction and assistance.

Student Attendance & Policy Administration

• Oversee daily attendance management for more than 400 Upper School students.
• Monitor and input attendance information for students arriving late and those signing in or out during the school day.
• Monitor attendance records for accuracy and compliance with established School policies.
• Investigate attendance discrepancies and coordinate with faculty, administrators, students, and parents to resolve issues.
• Apply school attendance policies consistently while exercising sound judgment in unusual or exceptional circumstances.
• Maintain confidential student attendance records and documentation.
• Assist school leadership in identifying attendance trends and operational issues affecting student accountability.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding student and attendance information.

Campus Operations Support

• Partner with Facilities and Operations personnel to support the safe and efficient operation of the campus.
• Identify maintenance deficiencies, security vulnerabilities, safety concerns, and other conditions requiring corrective action.
• Identify building maintenance needs and submit appropriate work orders.
• Contact the Director of Facility Operations or other appropriate personnel for work requiring prompt attention.
• Assist tradespeople and contractors with transportation, access to work areas, and other appropriate support.
• Assist with emergency building closures, weather-related operations, and campus continuity procedures.
• Monitor building systems and report operational irregularities.
• Support campus logistics, special events, traffic, parking, and other operational activities as assigned.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety procedures, operational efficiency, campus security, and continuity of operations.
• When assigned, conduct boiler rounds, walking through boiler rooms and other mechanical spaces, and record required readings

Policy Implementation & Administrative Support

• Interpret and apply established School policies while maintaining consistency, professionalism, discretion, and sound judgment.
• Assist administrators in implementing campus safety procedures, attendance requirements, and operational initiatives.
• Provide professional guidance and support during policy-related incidents requiring sound judgment and effective communication.
• Identify opportunities to improve safety procedures, operational efficiency, and campus security practices.
• Identify safety, security, operational, and compliance concerns and communicate them through appropriate channels.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding sensitive student, employee, security, and School information.

Customer Service & Community Relations

• Serve as the primary point of contact for visitors entering campus.
• Build positive relationships with students, faculty, staff, parents, alumni, guests, contractors, and other School constituents.
• Provide information, directions, and assistance while maintaining appropriate security standards.
• Answer telephone calls as needed.
• Provide a professional, welcoming, and authoritative presence at the Main Entrance/Reception Area.
• Foster an environment where safety, professionalism, and customer service support the School's educational mission.

Director Absence & Operational Leadership

• In the absence of the Director of Safety and Security, assume the responsibilities of the Director as delegated by the School.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for Campus Safety matters during the Director's absence or unavailability.
• In the absence of and in concert with the Director, provide direction and supervision to Campus Safety/security staff.
• Provide operational guidance and coordinate with school administrators, Facilities and Operations, and other campus partners regarding routine and emergency Campus Safety matters.
• Maintain continuity of Campus Safety operations by communicating priorities, addressing operational issues, and escalating matters appropriately.
• Support consistent application of established safety, security, attendance, and operational policies and procedures.
• Support and mentor members of the Campus Safety team and assist with cross-training to promote operational continuity during staff absences.
• Assist with coordination of daily Campus Safety responsibilities and priorities.

Other duties as requested/assigned.

EMERGENCY CLOSURES

In the event the School is closed because of an emergency, including snow or other severe weather:

• Report for work at the time and for the duration determined by the Director or designated Campus Safety lead.
• When reporting to work during an emergency closure on a normally scheduled school day, perform assigned Campus Safety and operational responsibilities in accordance with School procedures.
• If unable to travel to School because of storm conditions, communicate directly with the Director or designated Campus Safety lead.
• If an emergency closure occurs on a weekend or holiday, report as called in and perform assigned responsibilities.
• Emergency closing routines should include, but not be limited to:
• Monitor security/access and fire alarm systems and contact appropriate contractors when necessary.
• Maintain a visible presence at the Main Reception Area.
• Perform regular security rounds.
• Monitor campus access and security conditions.
• Assist with maintaining campus operational continuity.

Compensation, authorized time, and overtime associated with emergency closures will be administered in accordance with applicable School policy.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

In the absence of and in concert with the Director of Safety and Security, this position is responsible for the direction and supervision of Campus Safety/security staff.

Responsibilities may include providing daily operational guidance, coordinating assignments, supporting staff performance, assisting with training and cross-training, and maintaining continuity of essential Campus Safety functions.

REQUIRED COMPETENCIES

• Campus Safety & Security Operations
• Emergency Response & Incident Management
• Visitor Management & Access Control
• Student Attendance Administration
• Policy Interpretation & Implementation
• Risk Assessment & Situational Awareness
• Investigative and Problem-Solving Skills