Employees are responsible for the security of various state operations, facilities, and grounds throughout the state. Primary work includes maintaining the safety and security of patrons, visitors, and state employees by monitoring and protecting state property from hazards and threats.
Capitol Security Officers enforce policies and procedures relative to safety, security, and orderliness using defensive tactics and devices. Work involves regularly patrolling and monitoring assigned areas, observing behavior and conduct of individuals, and taking appropriate action to respond to safety and security hazards, threats, and other emergencies. Employees work regularly with a variety of contacts including patrons, visitors, state employees, state and local law enforcement, and prisoners to maintain security and enforce applicable policies and procedures. In addition, employees provide general information to the public, ensuring a positive experience when visiting state facilities.
Note: Advancement of employees through the career ladder is dependent on an agency’s/department's operational needs and distribution of work. The career ladder incorporates levels I, and II; therefore, all positions allocated into the Capitol Security Officer career ladder are classified at the II level (the highest level in the career ladder). The I level is to provide entry for hiring new employees into the class series but does not preclude hiring new employees at higher levels. To implement the career ladder, current employees are assigned to the level for which they meet job requirements and promotional standards. Employees may be promoted through the career ladder in accordance with promotional standards for those levels assigned to an agency. The promotional standards, a selection document under separate cover, set forth the criteria that identify, measure, and verify successful performance at each level.
Essential Functions
Essential functions are fundamental, core functions common to all positions in the class series and are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all job duties for any one position in the class. Since class specifications are descriptive and not restrictive, employees can complete job duties of a similar kind not specifically listed.
Enforces safety, security, and orderliness in compliance with applicable policies and procedures using defensive tactics and devices such as subduing individuals using bodily force and using chemical propellants, expandable batons, tasers, and handcuffs.
Screens individuals entering state facilities or property and controls the ingress and egress of individuals, law enforcement vehicles, prisoners, and mail/deliveries through a secure point of access. Uses security equipment and technology such as magnetometers, x-ray machines, remote access controls, and portable radios.
Deters, detects, reports on, and responds to security hazards and threats such as fire, theft, trespass, violence, concealed weapons, contraband, potential prisoner escape, and other emergencies.
Maintains vigilant observation of individuals for suspicious or threatening behavior, de-escalates potentially violent situations, and takes appropriate action. Anticipates the need for/requests extra security.
Observes and maintains control of persons and property including prisoners and multiple prisoner transport vehicles. Ensures separation of adult/juvenile and male/female prisoners.
Patrols the perimeter of location/building to ensure that all areas are secure. Checks for subjects disturbing the peace, fire, maintenance issues, or other hazards.
Assists the communication command center by monitoring cameras, receiving calls, and obtaining and disseminating information to appropriate Capitol Police Officers, supervisors, and other agencies based on the nature of the call.
Provides general information and direction to state employees, patrons, and visitors to state facilities.
Prepares logs, statistical information, incident reports, and use of force reports.
Uses computer software and automated information systems to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve, and report on data.
Provides emergency medical assistance such as performing Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) or using an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). May administer Narcan for individuals experiencing a drug overdose.
Communicates and interacts effectively with people across cultures, ranges of ability, genders, ethnicities, ages, and races.
May assist Capitol Police Officers with transporting prisoners to correctional facilities by operating a motor vehicle.
Performs other related duties as required.
Levels of Work
The level of work for an employee in this class series is based on an employee’s independence, size and scope of responsibilities, complexity of duties, decisions made, and required experience.
Capitol Security Officer I
This is the first level of capitol security officer work, responsible for maintaining the safety and security of patrons, visitors, and state employees by monitoring and protecting state property from hazards and threats for various operations, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. Employees independently perform the full range of Essential Functions under general supervision.
Receives general supervision from a technical supervisor; the supervisor provides general direction on all assignments, and regular review of progress, accuracy, and quality of work. Supervisory advice or assistance is provided as needed.
Acquires working knowledge of policies, procedures, techniques, and equipment and obtains required certifications and training.
Performs routine protection and security work and consults with higher-level staff on complex situations.
Communicates effectively with patrons, visitors, state employees, state and local law enforcement, and prisoners to maintain security, enforce applicable policies and procedures, and gather, clarify, and provide information.
Capitol Security Officer II
This is the second level of capitol security officer work, responsible for maintaining the safety and security of patrons, visitors, and state employees by monitoring and protecting state property from hazards and threats for various operations, grounds, and facilities throughout the state. In addition to work performed at the Capitol Security Officer I level, employees independently perform complex security work under general supervision. Examples of complex security work include assignment to high-risk or high-profile situations or environments; detaining subjects with an active capias, in-state warrant, and/or out-of-state warrant; screening mail and parcels using an x-ray machine and inspecting bulk deliveries for suspicious contents; and regular interaction and involvement with prisoners.
Receives general supervision from a technical supervisor; the supervisor provides general direction on all assignments, and regular review of progress, accuracy, and quality of work. Supervisory advice or assistance is provided as needed.
Accepts custody of and processes prisoners wanted by the courts or other in-state or out-of-state law enforcement agencies.
Coordinates with state and local law enforcement and other personnel to ensure prisoners are properly identified, assessed, processed, and presented to court officials or transferred to the custody of another law enforcement agency.
Leads security staff by assigning, monitoring, and reviewing work and providing on-the-job training, guidance, and direction.
Communicates effectively with law enforcement to assist with security challenges such as detaining trespassers, violators, and escapees.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
The listed knowledge, skills, and abilities give a general indication of the core requirements for all positions in the class series; therefore, the KSAs listed are not exhaustive or necessarily inclusive of the needs of every position in the class.
Knowledge of applicable policies, procedures, and specific building emergency plans to perform security work and facilitate lockdowns.
Knowledge of the principles, practices, and techniques of maintaining safety, security, and orderliness, including prisoner security and movement.
Knowledge of de-escalation methods and techniques.
Knowledge of state government to acquire services and assist members of the public.
Knowledge of first aid, CPR and the location of Automated External Defibrillators (AED).
Knowledge of computer software and automated information systems used to enter, update, modify, delete, retrieve, and report on data.
Skill in operating and maintaining a variety of security equipment and technology.
Skill in maintaining records and preparing reports.
Ability to recognize security threats such as unusual behavior or concealed weapons and respond appropriately.
Ability to understand, communicate, and influence diverse groups of people in stressful situations.
Ability to remain alert, calm, and effective in stressful conditions and exercise good judgment.
In addition to the above knowledge, skills and abilities, the Capitol Security Officer II requires:
Knowledge of Delaware Criminal and Traffic Code and related procedures.
Knowledge of arrest laws and search procedures.
Skill in providing protection and security services to property and individuals in compliance with applicable policies and procedures.
Skill in subduing individuals by using defensive tactics and devices.
Skill in using an AED and administering First Aid and CPR.
Ability to de-escalate potentially explosive situations and respond to emergencies.
Ability to resolve issues independently and escalate as appropriate.
Ability to provide on-the-job training, guidance, and direction to staff.
Job Requirements
JOB REQUIREMENTS for Capitol Security Officer I Applicants must have education, training and/or experience demonstrating competence in each of the following areas:
Six months experience in security such as providing protective services to persons, facilities or grounds from trespassing, theft and other conditions.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in using security equipment and technology.
Coursework, training, and/or work experience in narrative report writing.
Possession of a valid Driver’s License (not suspended, revoked or cancelled, or disqualified from driving).