Employment

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Job Title: Exterior Security Guard (Perimeter/Entrance)

Reports to: Facilities Manager

FSLA Status: Non-Exempt, Full-Time

Department: Facilities

Job Purpose:

The Exterior Security Guard is the first point of contact for individuals entering the Wellness Center and is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure perimeter. Stationed primarily at the front entrance, this position controls access to the facility, ensures a welcoming environment for clients, and directs visitors appropriately. The Exterior Security Guard actively patrols the building exterior and surrounding areas, enforcing the Client Code of Conduct and addressing security issues before they enter the facility. This role requires a proactive approach to security, combining vigilant observation with assertive and respectful communication to manage the flow of people and prevent incidents.

Who We Are

Established in 1970, Serving Seniors helps San Diego County’s low-income seniors overcome poverty through whole-person, wraparound support including meals, housing, health and social services, and enrichment activities. We work at numerous sites across the county and in the homes of hundreds of homebound seniors. Our flagship Gary & Mary West Senior Wellness Center in downtown San Diego is unlike any other senior center in the nation. Bringing together a range of supportive services under one roof, the Senior Wellness Center operates 365 days a year and offers two floors of integrated care, including health and social services, housing navigation, enrichment activities, lifelong learning, a Cyber Café and linkage to over 25 onsite direct service partners, including a senior dental center. Last fiscal year, we provided over 1,400,000 meals and coordinated services to 6,800 older adults.

Our Mission: Helping seniors in poverty live healthy and fulfilling lives.

Our Vision: All seniors, regardless of income, are able to thrive, engage in their communities, lead purposeful lives, and have a place they call home.

Our Core Values:

Advocacy - Acknowledging and supporting the needs of older adults at the individual, community, and policy-level.

Person-Centered - Seeing the whole person, providing coordinated support, and treating all with dignity and respect.

Integrity – Representing the values of honesty, trust, and transparency within our community.

Compassion & Empathy – Approaching our work with a heartfelt desire to better understand and serve.

Impact – Measuring and evaluating programs to ensure that for every dollar invested, there is a positive impact in the lives of those we serve.

Inclusive – Promoting an environment that nurtures differences and allows individuals to be their entire, authentic selves.

Top Workplace Award Recipient

Serving Seniors has received the San Diego Union-Tribune’s Top Workplaces Award nine out of the ten years the awards program has taken place, and most recently for five years in a row from 2019-2025.

Requirements

Job Duties and Responsibilities:

• Access Control: Manage the flow of individuals at the main entrance, verifying that all persons entering are clients or have legitimate business (e.g., scheduled appointments). Direct non-clients to the appropriate sign-up location or staff member.

• To-Go Meal Program Facilitation: Coordinate the To-Go Meal service for clients on restricted access status. Check in clients, verify their identification, organize the orderly formation of a line at the front door, and use radio communication to relay client information to kitchen staff. Ensure meals are delivered to clients at the front entrance and that clients depart the premises promptly after receiving their meal.

• Perimeter Security: Conduct regular patrols of the building exterior, parking lots, and immediate perimeter to monitor for suspicious activity, safety hazards, and policy violations. Prevent unauthorized or unlawful entry.

• Client and Visitor Engagement: Greet clients and visitors in a courteous and professional manner, providing clear direction and information while maintaining a secure checkpoint.

• Policy Enforcement: Enforce the Client Code of Conduct on the facility grounds, addressing issues such as loitering, disruptive behavior, and other violations before they impact the interior environment.

• Incident Response and De-escalation: Serve as the first line of response for incidents occurring outside the facility. Employ conflict de-escalation strategies to manage situations calmly and effectively, requesting interior support as needed.

• Investigation and Reporting: Investigate policy violations and security incidents observed on the perimeter. Draft clear, accurate, and timely incident reports to be submitted for official record-keeping.

• Collaboration: Work closely with the Interior Security Guard and other facilities staff to ensure seamless communication and a coordinated security response between the interior and exterior of the building.

• Emergency Preparedness: Respond to emergencies on the perimeter as per established protocols, assist with evacuations by directing foot traffic, and secure the exterior during lockdowns.

Required Qualifications:

Education: - High school diploma or equivalent.

Experience: - A minimum of 3-5 years of security experience. - Experience working with vulnerable populations, including homeless, low-income, or elderly individuals, is highly preferred.

Licensure & Certifications: - Must possess a valid California Guard Card.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

• Conflict De-escalation: Must be well-versed in conflict de-escalation strategies and techniques, with the ability to remain calm and composed under pressure.
• Firm Communication: Ability to communicate boundaries and enforce policies clearly, firmly, and respectfully without being passive or overly aggressive.
• Situational Awareness: Excellent observational skills and the ability to quickly assess situations and identify potential risks.
• Reporting and Documentation: Strong written communication skills with the ability to draft clear and concise incident reports. 
• Customer Service: Ability to provide a welcoming and helpful presence while maintaining security protocols.
• Radio Communication: Proficiency in using two-way radio systems to coordinate with kitchen staff and other facility personnel. 
• Independence: Capable of working independently and taking initiative to address issues on the perimeter. - Unarmed security professional.

Physical Demands and Work Environment:

• Onsite position, primarily stationed at the front entrance but requires extensive mobility around the facility perimeter.

• Position requires standing and walking for extended periods in various weather conditions.

• Must be able to respond quickly to incidents across the exterior grounds.

• The employee must occasionally lift and move up to 20 pounds.

Why our current employees enjoy working for us:

• We offer a comprehensive benefits package. Serving Seniors pays 100% of employees medical & dental coverage. (For employees who qualify for benefits)
• We offer paid holidays and paid time off to all employees
• We offer a floating holiday to all employees
• We offer up to a 3% match on 403(b) retirement plans, to all employees
• We’ve been voted a best place to work for over five years in San Diego
• We are a stable company with over 50 years of experience
• We have served thousands of older adults throughout San Diego County making a positive impact and providing a higher quality of life to these individuals

Pay: $22 - $25 per hr DOE

This employer is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action and E-Verify employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex including sexual orientation and gender identity, national origin, disability, protected Veteran Status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

Salary Description

$22 - $25 hourly

To apply for this position, click here.