Job Summary Are you looking for career opportunities that provide top-notch benefits including paid vacation & sick leave, outstanding health & dental insurance, a health clinic for you & your dependents, a generous retirement plan, and much more? Travis County Office of Security & Protection is looking for Security Center Operators to join the team. This role serves as a central information hub for County safety/security issues. Coordinates and provides immediate response to any emergency or security situation affecting Travis County employees, customers, facilities, or assets. Operates Electronic Security System and telecommunications equipment used in monitoring, evaluating, sending, and relaying information in response to security events. Responsible for remotely monitoring all County facilities for fire, intrusion, and card access events. Reports security violations and questionable activities. Monitors various auxiliary systems including closed circuit television (CCTV) systems; access control systems, to include badge, perimeter, and internal secured areas; cable television and internet weather sources for news and weather events, and to determine anticipated County impact and provide notifications as required. Monitors buildings for damages from flooding, equipment failure or vandalism. Produces factual and accurate reports as required. Dispatches security guard patrols as needed. Two Night shift positions available, 10:30pm-6:30am Sunday-Thursday
Distinguishing Characteristics This is a job classification within the Maintenance job family. This classification is responsible for Travis County security functions and does not have any lead or supervisory duties or responsibilities. This classification may require a flexible work schedule and may be required to work on rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays in order to meet the needs of the County. Duties and Responsibilities
- Monitors and operates unified physical and personnel security platforms involving access control, video surveillance, communications, intrusion, and analytics.
- Ensures enhanced situational awareness, unified command and control, and centralized operations of County physical security systems.
- Monitors, investigates, and responds appropriately to alarm signals to include fire, life safety, intrusion, and asset protection, and provides direction as necessary.
- Reports security concerns, violations, breaches, questionable activities and emergencies both verbally and in writing.
- Initiates response/notification procedures during emergency and security situations affecting County operations or employees such as medical emergencies, bomb threats, workplace violence incidents, suspicious activity, evacuations, etc.
- Ensures security monitoring systems are properly functioning. Monitors outside areas for vagrants and other unauthorized personnel.
- Monitors buildings for equipment failure or vandalism, notifies proper emergency contacts for repair.
- Operates security computer systems regularly, as assigned.
- Operates a radio system in accordance with FCC rules and regulations.
- Dispatches security guards to various calls for services.
- Coordinates, performs and controls multiple communication and simultaneous tasks on demand.
- Utilizes and executes checklists, protocols, and phone listings to effectively manage incidents and make applicable notifications.
- Attend training and certification courses as needed and as required by the Department, in order to maintain certifications and skills necessary to perform the job.
- Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Requirements
Education and Experience:
High School diploma or G.E.D. AND two (2) years of experience in a security operations center environment or equivalent, including one (1) year of computer experience;
OR,
Any combination of education and experience that has been achieved and is equivalent to the stated education and experience and required knowledge, skills, and abilities sufficient to successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of this job.
Licenses, Registrations, Certifications, or Special Requirements:
Applicants are required to successfully pass the background investigation, including fingerprint clearance.
Preferred:
- Valid Texas Driver's License.
- Prior military, security, fire protection, or public safety dispatcher experience.
- Experience with Lenel access control, alarm monitoring, and CCTV.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of:
- Software based security systems, CCTV, and access control systems.
- Extensive technical acumen of computer software programs to include word processing, spreadsheets, databases, email and a variety of software packages.
- Security regulations and procedures.
- Basic telephone courtesy.
- Business letter writing, grammar and punctuation, and report preparation.
Skill in:
- Operating computers.
- Prioritizing work assignments.
- Interacting positively with the public.
- Being proactive and possess creative problem solving skills.
- Making prompt and accurate decisions in a fast paced environment.
- Both verbal and written communication.
- Attention to detail.
- Active listening skills.
Ability to:
- Effectively operate and manage security tools and processes.
- Handle sensitive issues with strict confidentiality and discretion.
- Operate security access control, CCTV and alarm systems, email, intranet systems and complex communication device systems.
- Recognize, assess, evaluate and report security situations, risks and dangers.
- Multi-task, prioritize activities as required and coordinate emergency and security situations calmly, efficiently, effectively, and professionally.
- Understand and follow instructions and communicate effectively, as required.
- Work independently and efficiently.
- Gain working knowledge of the physical County geography layout.
- Communicate clearly, concisely and with professional tact both verbally and in writing.
- Perform multiple-simultaneous tasks on demand.
- React swiftly and remain clam under stress and make quick and calm decisions in emergency situations.
- Understand and carry out verbal and written directions/instructions.
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with representatives of outside agencies, other County employees and officials, and the general public.
- Exercise discretion and diplomacy in difficult and sensitive situations.
- Maintain attendance and punctuality standard.
Work Environment & Other Information Physical requirements include the ability to lift/carry up to 25 pounds, visual acuity, speech and hearing, hand and eye coordination and manual dexterity necessary to operate a computer and office equipment. Subject to constant sitting, reaching, talking, and exercise of fine dexterity, occasional standing, walking, climbing, kneeling/crouching, bending/squatting, and gripping/grasping to perform the essential functions. Subject to job related stress and client/customer communications within the confines of the Security Operations Center, which operates 24-hours/7-days a week.
Travis County employees play an important role in business continuity. As such, employees can be assigned to business continuity efforts outside of normal job functions.
Work Hours: Shift Differential Pay Available. Works some holidays, some weekends, Works all nights Location: 700 Lavaca Street Austin, Texas 78701 Department: Office of Security & ProtectionCriminal, CJIS Fingerprints, Driving, Reference and Employment Background Checks Required. For updates or questions on this position, contact ashley.pena@traviscountytx.gov.
This job description is intended to be generic in nature. It is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all duties and responsibilities. The essential duties, functions and responsibilities and overtime eligibility may vary based on the specific tasks assigned to the position.
Benefits
Benefits
Employment at Travis County comes with a full array of benefits. We offer comprehensive health insurance, a no-cost, on-site Health and Wellness clinic, longevity pay, paid vacations, sick time and personal holidays, not to mention an industry competitive salary structure and a friendly, stable work environment.FY2027 Travis County Benefit Guide In this valuable Travis County Benefits Guide you will find benefit summaries, eligibility requirements, costs, contact numbers and addresses as well as other general information on the benefits available to Travis County Employees and Retirees. Credit Union Employees may join the Travis County Credit Union which offers low-interest loans, savings plans through payroll deduction, safe deposit boxes and other benefits. Deferred Compensation Employees may enroll in a tax- free sheltered investment plan through payroll deduction. Direct Deposit Employees may sign up for direct bank deposit. Employee Assistance Program Travis County provides a confidential counseling and referral service free of charge to county employees and their family. Employee Organizations Membership in the American Federation of State, County, and Municipal Employees Union is available through payroll deduction. Employee Health & Wellness Clinic Employees may access the clinic for a variety of wellness program and health care services with no co-pay, no deductible and no co-insurance costs. Holidays An average of eleven paid holidays are designated by the Travis County Commissioners Court at the beginning of each fiscal year.
Insurance Employees may select from four plans: an Exclusive Physician Organization (EPO), Choice Plus Preferred Physician Organization (PPO), Consumer Choice or a High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP) with a Health Savings Account (HSA). All four options include a Pharmacy Plan. Travis County’s current policy is to pay 100% of the employee’s health insurance premium for the Consumer Choice and HDHP. Employees will pay a premium for both the EPO and PPO. Other insurance benefits include $50,000 Basic Life and AD&D paid by the County.
The following benefits are employee paid:
- Dental
- Vision
- Supplemental Life, AD&D
- Dependent Life
- Short Term Disability
- Long Term Disability
- Long Term Care
New employees are covered on the first day of the month following 28 calendar days of employment. Longevity Longevity pay is paid for each year completed after three years of continuous service. Peace Officers in a law enforcement activity, whose job requires state peace officer certification, receive pay after one year of certification.
On the regular payday on or after the employee's fourth and subsequent adjusted service dates, he or she receives a single payment for the previous year. Parking A limited number of assigned parking spaces are available to employees in the Courthouse Complex. Personal Holidays Regular, full-time employees are eligible for up to three paid personal holidays each calendar year. Part-time employees shall be granted personal holidays on a prorated basis. New employees earn personal holidays for the calendar year in which he/she begins employment, based on the month in which employment begins: January – March 3 personal holidays April - June 2 personal holidays
July - September 1 personal holiday
October - December None
New employees are eligible to take personal holidays after 90 days of employment.Retirement Travis County is a member of the Texas County & District Retirement System with mandatory participation by certain classes of employees. Seven percent (7%) of the gross salary is deducted each pay period. An employee is fully vested after eight years of service. Benefits are prorated for part-time employees. Sick Leave Regular employees earn sick leave at a rate of eight hours per month with unlimited accrual during employment. Part-time employees earn sick leave on a pro-rated basis.
Parental Leave Each Full-time Paid Parental Leave Eligible (PPL) Employee is entitled to a total of 320 hours of Paid Parental Leave in a 12 month period. Paid Parental Leave for Part-time PPL Eligible Employees is prorated based on the number of hours that they are regularly scheduled to work. Tuition Refund Certain classes of full-time employees may receive reimbursement for fees associated with pre-approved, job related course work completed satisfactorily. Vacation Based on years of county service, regular, full-time employees earn vacation time at the following rates: 0 to 5 years 4.0 hours per pay period 6 to 10 years 4.5 hours per pay period 11 to 15 years 5.0 hours per pay period 16 to 20 years 5.5 hours per pay period 21 plus years 6.0 hours per pay period
Part-time employees earn vacation leave on a pro-rated basis.Workers' Compensation The county provides all employees workers' compensation coverage with benefits in accordance with state statute, if the employee sustains an injury out of, or in the course of work.