Chief, Protective Services and Security
California State Personnel Board Specification
Definition
Under general direction at a State hospital or at headquarters, the Chief, Protective Services and Security, is responsible for either the protective services operations of a State hospital or the overall security procedures and systems within the Department of Mental Health.
Typical Tasks
At a State hospital, coordinates the protective services operations with hospital staff and subordinate Hospital Peace Officers, including two or more Hospital Lieutenants; may act as the liaison with local, State, and Federal law enforcement agencies, the public, district attorney offices, and correctional agencies; develops and implements operational policies and procedures to conform to the State hospital goals and objectives; consults with hospital management staff and the headquarters' Chief, Protective Services and Security, on complex and difficult security and law enforcement issues; and coordinates and monitors investigations of reported assaults and crimes with clinical staff and outside authorities.
At headquarters, one position is allocated to the Chief, Protective Services and Security, classification and has management responsibility for the standardization and coordination of all statewide security decisions for the State hospitals. The incumbent develops and implements plans to improve the internal and external physical security and the operating practices of the State hospitals; provides functional supervision or oversight of all hospital security issues; conducts periodic unannounced audits of both internal/external security; proposes legislative changes to protect the public, patients, and staff at the State hospitals; acts as the primary liaison between the Department of Mental Health, the public, and political entities on all politically sensitive issues regarding statewide hospital security; and provides management direction and policy guidance to the Department's Security Committee that consists of top-level hospital personnel.
Minimum Qualifications
Education: Equivalent to completion of the 12th grade. and Either I Experience: Three years of experience in the California state service performing the duties of a Hospital Lieutenant.
Or II
Experience: Five years of full-time paid peace officer experience, three years of which must have been as a second-line supervisor at a level comparable to the rank of Lieutenant. (Possession of a two- year Associate's Degree in Police Science or a related field in law enforcement may be substituted for one year of the required nonsupervisory experience. Possession of a Bachelor's Degree in Police Science or a related law enforcement field may be substituted for two years of the required nonsupervisory experience.) and Successful completion of the Peace Officer Standards and Training (P.O.S.T.) Basic Academy.
Knowledge and Abilities
Knowledge of: Principles and practices of law enforcement and criminology, including procedures and laws on security, investigation, and search and seizure; principles and practices of personnel management and supervision; principles and methods of employee training; interviewing and investigative techniques; familiarity with the role of the security used in the environment of a State hospital; hospital and departmental rules and regulations as applied to the welfare, safety, and protection of patients; hospital and departmental rules and regulations regarding conduct and control of employees and visitors; procedures and techniques in handling patient-related incidents; effective public relations as applied to the hospital operation and law enforcement functions; a supervisor's responsibility for promoting equal employment opportunity in hiring, employee development, and promotion, and for maintaining a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Ability to: Plan, organize, and direct the work of others; operate within budget constraints; establish and maintain cooperative relations with persons contacted in the course of work; enforce hospital rules and regulations with tact and impartiality; think and act quickly in emergencies; analyze situations accurately and adopt an effective course of action; communicate convincingly and effectively; maintain confidential and other related records and prepare reports; apply sound judgment in the enforcement of hospital rules and regulations and applicable State laws necessary for the protection of persons and property; effectively promote equal employment opportunities in employment and maintain a work environment that is free of discrimination and harassment.
Special Personal Characteristics
A sympathetic understanding of the problems of the mentally ill; emotional maturity and stability; demonstrated leadership ability; tact; ability to remain calm in emergency situations; ability to assess and coordinate resources as emergencies arise.
Special Physical Requirements
Possession and maintenance of sufficient strength, agility, and endurance to perform during physically, mentally, and emotionally stressful and emergency situations encountered on the job.
Driver License Requirement
Possession of a valid driver license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles. Applicants who do not possess the license will be admitted to the examination but must secure the driver license prior to appointment and must maintain a valid driver license throughout employment.
Age Limitation
Minimum age for appointment is 21 years of age.
Peace Officer Standards
Citizenship Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(a), in order to be a peace officer, a person must be either a U.S. Citizen or be a permanent resident alien who is eligible for and has applied for U.S. Citizenship. Any permanent resident alien who is employed as a peace officer shall be disqualified from holding that position if his/her application for citizenship is denied.
Felony Disqualification: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1029, persons convicted of a felony are disqualified from employment as peace officers except as provided under Welfare and Institutions Code, Division 2, Chapter 3, Article 8, Section 1179(b), or Division 2.5, Chapter 1, Article 4, Section 1772(b). Except as provided for by these statutes, persons convicted of a felony are not eligible to compete for, or be appointed to, positions in this class.
Background Investigation: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons successful in peace officer examinations shall be required to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to appointment. Persons who have previously undergone a background investigation may be required to undergo only a partial background investigation.
Medical Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031, persons appointed to a peace officer class shall undergo a medical examination to determine that he or she can perform the essential functions of the job safely and effectively.
Psychological Screening Requirement: Pursuant to Government Code Section 1031(f), all candidates must pass a psychological screening evaluation before appointment to this classification. Persons unsuccessful in the psychological screening cannot be appointed as peace officers.
