Job Description

The Department of Mental Health (DMH), Southeastern Area, Taunton State Hospital is seeking a dynamic candidate to serve as a Security Team Specialist (STS I). The incumbent will perform security related duties to ensure the safety and security of the institution, and the population served. Monitor the safety of facility by patrolling building, grounds and adjacent areas. Incumbent will enforce Department of Mental Health Regulations and Policies.

Please Note : The selected candidate's work schedule will be 40 hours per week working the third shift (11 p.m. to 7 a.m.) with the days off Tuesday and Wednesday. The primary work location will be Taunton State Hospital, however, this position will support all sites in the Southeast Area as needed.

Duties and Responsibilities (these are a general summary and not all inclusive):

• Patrols the buildings and grounds at routine intervals by foot and motor vehicle in order to maintain site/facility safety and security and to detect and prevent criminal activity.
• Maintains order among visitors, clients and employees. Issues keys, photo identification cards and other means of access control. Operates and monitors electronic security and fire detection systems.
• Issues parking citations or takes other authorized action to control illegal parking on the roadways and parking lots of the Campus.
• Assists the Judicial system by the issuance of court papers to employees, clients, or as otherwise directed by the Director of Security or their designee. Provides security during court hearings by insuring a safe and secure hearing process.
• Organizes, participates and documents search procedures for missing clients and dependent persons. Maintains liaison with State Police, Federal and local Law Enforcement agencies through the Security Specialist chain of command structure.
• Responds to medical and psychiatric emergencies, assists in the coordination of emergency response services, assists local, State and federal agencies during disasters, performs routine inspections of fire alarms system and related equipment.
• Maintains accurate documentation of all investigations, inquiries, inspections and other safety/security. Prepares accurate and concise incident/accident reports consistent with the established Security Specialist reporting system as well as DMH incident reporting requirements. Maintains the daily security log. Uses and maintains computer-based information and reporting systems.
• Completes required mandatory classes offered by or as required by Staff Development, and the Director of Security, and the conduct’s investigations as required or directed by supervisors.
• Transport’s clients and patients in accordance with DMH policy and procedure.
• Immediately reports noteworthy events in a manner consistent with DMH Critical Communications Policy, Site/Facility administrative notification policies and procedures, and in accordance with directives to notify the Director of Security and/or Designee of any event affecting normal operation of the building. All events requiring Law Enforcement /Medical, or Fire response also need immediate notification to Security Director.
• Communicates with staff members and clients (patients) in a manner that is appropriate to age, cultural, and/or psychosocial need and can refer or direct individuals to an appropriate person, service provider, or agency.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Ability to follow verbal or written orders and instructions.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member with minimal supervision.
• Ability to work long hours under severe weather conditions.
• Ability to interact with the clients, employees, visitors, and others having business with the Institution in a professional, controlled courteous manner under stressful and threatening conditions.
• Ability to deal with violent and verbally aggressive clients or other persons in a safe, efficient manner consistent with DMH Policies, Procedures, Regulations, and the General Laws of the Commonwealth.
• Ability to communicate clearly in verbal and written format. Knowledge of the principals of the correct usage of the English language.
• Ability to exercise discretion in receiving, handling and safeguarding confidential information, maintaining reports and files in accordance with regulatory strict statutory and policy requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Given population served, bilingual or multilingual candidates.
• Previous employment in the human service field and specifically experience with mental illness or other disabilities in a hospital setting.

Special Requirements:

• Possession of a current and valid Class D Massachusetts Motor Vehicle Operator’s License required for this function.

DMH Mission Statement:

The Department of Mental Health assures and provides access to services and supports to meet the mental health needs of individuals of all ages, enabling them to live, work and participate in their communities. The Department establishes standards to ensure effective and culturally competent care to promote recovery. The Department sets policy, promotes self-determination, protects human rights and supports mental health training and research.

Pre-Hire Process:

A criminal background check will be completed on the recommended candidate as required by the regulations set forth by the Executive Office of Health and Human Services prior to the candidate being hired. For more information, please visit

Education, licensure and certifications will be verified in accordance with the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines.

Education and license/certification information provided by the selected candidate(s) is subject to the Massachusetts Public Records Law and may be published on the Commonwealth’s website.

If you require assistance with the application/interview process and would like to request an ADA accommodation, please click on the link and complete the ADA Reasonable Accommodation Online Request Form .

For questions, please contact the Office of Human Resources at 1-800-510-4122 and select option #4.

Qualifications

First consideration will be given to those applicants that apply within the first 14 days.


Minimum Entrance Requirements: Applicants must have (A) at least one (1) year of full-time or equivalent part-time, experience in work involving the protection and/or security of buildings, equipment or individuals, or (B) any equivalent combination of the required experience and the substitutions below.

Applicants applying for positions within the Department of Youth Services, Department of Mental Health and Department of Public Health are required to obtain and maintain a valid certification in Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and first aid. Additionally, applicants applying for positions within the Department of Youth Services are required to obtain and maintain a valid certification in crisis intervention and suicide prevention.


Substitutions:
I. An Associate’s degree or higher in a related field may substitute for the required experience.

Incumbents may be required to have a current and valid motor vehicle driver’s license at a class level specific to assignment.

Salary placement is determined by a combination of factors, including the candidate’s years of directly related experience and education, and alignment with our internal compensation structure as set forth by the Human Resources Division’s Hiring Guidelines. For all bargaining unit positions (non-management), compensation is subject to the salary provisions outlined in the applicable collective bargaining agreement and will apply to placement within the appropriate salary range.

Comprehensive Benefits

When you embark on a career with the Commonwealth, you are offered an outstanding suite of employee benefits that add to the overall value of your compensation package. We take pride in providing a work experience that supports you, your loved ones, and your future.

Want the specifics? Explore our Employee Benefits and Rewards!

Title 101 CMR 23.00 (“Regulation”) requires certain agency staff to have received the COVID-19 vaccination and Influenza vaccination, or have taken required mitigation measures, to prevent viral infection and transmission in State Hospitals and State Congregate Care Facilities. The Regulation applies to this position. Successful candidates will be required to acknowledge and attest to your vaccination status for both COVID-19 and Influenza.

An Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action Employer. Females, minorities, veterans, and persons with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.

The Commonwealth is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other basis covered by appropriate law. Research suggests that qualified women, Black, Indigenous, and Persons of Color (BIPOC) may self-select out of opportunities if they don't meet 100% of the job requirements. We encourage individuals who believe they have the skills necessary to thrive to apply for this role.

Official Title : Security Team Specialist I

Primary Location : United States-Massachusetts-Taunton-60 Hodges Avenue

Job : Public Safety

Agency : Department of Mental Health

Schedule : Full-time

Shift : Night

Job Posting : Oct 22, 2025, 9:40:24 AM

Number of Openings : 1

Salary : 52,475.80 - 70,880.42 Yearly

If you have Diversity, Affirmative Action or Equal Employment Opportunity questions or need a Reasonable Accommodation, please contact Diversity Officer / ADA Coordinator : William Herbert; WILLIAM.L.HERBERT3@MASS.GOV - 6173488473

Bargaining Unit : 02-AFSCME - Service/Institutional

Confidential : No

Potentially Eligible for a Hybrid Work Schedule : No

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