Safety Specialist - Indianapolis, IN

Safety Specialist · Damien Operations Team · Damien Center Values · Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation · Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana's oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8,000 individuals living with o ...

Job description

Safety Specialist

Damien Operations Team

Damien Center Values

Dignity-Collaboration-Accountability-Access-Quality-Innovation

Founded in 1987, Damien Center is Indiana's oldest and largest AIDS service organization (ASO) and serves more than 8,000 individuals living with or at risk for HIV through a comprehensive, innovative approach to care and prevention. Our purpose is to be a trusted partner in providing services, education and advocacy for all people living with or at risk for HIV and any person seeking a safe and welcoming home for care. Our services include care coordination, clinical and pharmacy services, mental health, housing, and nutrition.

Position Summary:

The Safety Specialist supports and upholds the safety operations of Damien Center by maintaining a secure, orderly, and inclusive environment for clients, staff, and visitors. This position promotes safety through proactive monitoring, professional engagement, and adherence to organizational policies. The Safety Specialist responds to incidents with composure and sound judgment, documents safety‑related concerns, and collaborates with internal teams to strengthen overall safety practices. The role includes ongoing surveillance of campus facilities, assistance during emergency situations, and direct reporting to the Safety Manager.

Duties and Responsibilities:

This job description describes the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this position. It should not be construed as an exhaustive list of all required duties, responsibilities, and skills.

Client and Staff Engagement:

• Maintain a visible and professional presence throughout the campus to foster a respectful and supportive environment.
• Build rapport with clients, guests, and staff while upholding safety protocols and organizational expectations.
• Provide directional support and escort services (buddy system) to parking lots or other designated locations when appropriate.

Campus Patrol and Safety Monitoring

• Conduct routine patrols during business and non-business hours to detect safety hazards, unauthorized activity, or security risks.
• Monitor high traffic areas to maintain safe circulation and ensure adherence to facility procedures.
• Identify, report, and document irregularities such as property damage, theft, unauthorized individuals, or unusual occurrences.

Incident Response and Resolution:

• Respond promptly and professionally to calls for assistance, concerns, or complaints involving clients, guests, or staff.
• Facilitate clear and respectful communication to help resolve conflicts or safety-related issues.
• Investigate observed or assigned incidents and complete required documentation with accuracy, objectivity, and timeliness.
• Participate in post incident reviews or debriefings with internal teams as appropriate. Incident reviews or debriefings with internal teams as appropriate.

Crisis Intervention and De-escalation

• Apply trauma-informed de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to address Code of Conduct violations and situations involving heightened stress, agitation, or conflict. Informed de-escalation and crisis intervention techniques to address Code of Conduct violations and situations involving heightened stress, agitation, or conflict.
• When warranted, escort or remove individuals from the property based on organizational authority or professional judgment.
• Maintain a calm, respectful, and safety-focused demeanor during all elevated interactions-focused demeanor during all elevated interactions.
• Contact local law enforcement or other emergency services when appropriate.

Emergency Preparedness and Response

• Respond rapidly and appropriately to fire, medical, severe weather, or other emergency events in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain working knowledge of Damien Center's emergency preparedness protocols.
• Coordinate with external emergency responders—including fire, police, and medical services—as needed.
• Provide basic CPR and/or first aid to injured individuals until professional medical personnel arrive.

Documentation and Reporting

• Compile clear, accurate, and timely reports of incidents, safety concerns, and operational irregularities.
• Communicate relevant safety information and emerging concerns promptly to the Safety Manager.
• Support ongoing enhancements to safety procedures, policies, and organizational compliance.

Organizational Support

• Support organizational programs, events, and activities consistent with safety protocols.
• Perform special assignments or other related duties as directed.

Education and/or Experience:

High School Diploma or GED Equivalent required. Three years of security or law enforcement experience preferred. Training in crisis intervention, de-escalation techniques, and trauma informed policing required. Experience with computing and electronic incident reporting software preferred. Experience working with communities and people affected by HIV/AIDS preferred. Valid, non-restricted Indiana Driver's License preferred.

• Work or lived experience may substitute for education requirements on a case-by-case basis.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

Possess superior organizational and administrative skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication abilities. Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment. Ability to work independently and achieve high standards of productivity, achieving deadlines and with superior product results. Strong calendaring, organizational, and document management skills required. Proactive approach to solving problems and communicating to leadership. Knowledge of office management systems, procedures, and office equipment required. Excellent time management skills and ability to prioritize work.

Qualifications:

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job function satisfactorily. The requirements listed are representative of the basic knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The individual in this role must display the highest level of integrity and confidentiality. The individual should have effective communication skills, attention to detail and organization, and flexibility and adaptability. The individual will also maintain knowledge of trends in their area of responsibility.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are general representations of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, reach with hands and arms, talk, and hear. The employee frequently is required to use hands to touch and handle objects. The employee frequently stands or walks.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made for individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Remote work is on a case-by-case basis and must be approved by the supervisor.

• Office setting, with sustained use of a computer.
• The noise level in the work environment is minimal to moderate.
• Individuals should maintain personal and professional competence and work to create an environment of courtesy, respect, inclusion, and positivity in all interactions both internal and external to the organization.

FLSA Status: Hourly, Full-time, Non-Exempt

Leader: Safety Manager

Salary: $24.69 hourly

Benefits:

• 150 hours of PTO in the first year followed by 195 hours per year moving forward.
• 12 paid holidays
• Medical coverage options include a PPO plan or a HDHP.
• Dental & Vision plans
• Health Saving Account or Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account
• Employee Assistance Program
• 403b Retirement Account with 5% matching and 100% vesting after 90 days
• Life Insurance @ 2 times the annual salary
• Voluntary Life Insurance Plan including spouse and child coverage options
• Short- & Long-Term Disability Plans
• Premium Subscription to the CALM APP which assists with anxiety, stress & other mental health challenges
• Professional Development Opportunities
• Tuition Assistance
• Annual performance review that includes an annual performance-based salary increase

Protecting our team members, clients, volunteers, and community partners is an integral part of how we ensure our continued work with the clients we serve. As a condition of employment, Damien Center requires team members to be vaccinated against influenza and receive a tuberculosis skin test (or chest x-ray) annually, barring an approved religious or medical exemption.

Damien Center is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Damien Center provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, family status, ethnicity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, amnesty, status as a covered veteran, other legally protected status, or genetic (including family medical history) information.

Damien Center complies with applicable federal laws and with all state and local laws governing non-discrimination in employment in every location in which Damien Center has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including, but not limited to, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Please apply at

This position description does not constitute a contract of employment or guarantee of any terms or conditions of employment. Damien Center employees are employed on an at-will basis. Nothing in this position description restricts Damien Center's right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time.

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