About Covenant House New York

Join a Legacy of Hope and Empowerment at Covenant House New York!

For over 50 years, Covenant House New York (CHNY) has been at the forefront of transforming lives by providing comprehensive shelter, housing, and wrap-around support services for vulnerable homeless, runaway, and exploited youth. As the largest provider of these essential services in New York City, CHNY impacts the lives of over 1,500 young people aged 16-24 every year.

At CHNY, our doors are open to all young people in need, regardless of race, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, and expression. Our dedicated team offers various services, including shelter, housing, education, employment, health, mental health support, youth development, and anti-human trafficking initiatives. We operate with harm reduction and trauma-informed principles to ensure the best care for our youth.

But our mission goes beyond immediate support. We are passionate advocates for systemic change, influencing public policy, and raising awareness of the critical issues surrounding youth homelessness. Our ultimate goal is to provide a safe refuge and empower young people to build a brighter future founded on compassion, unconditional love, and absolute respect.

Join us in making a difference in the lives of countless young people. Join a team that inspires long-term transformation and hope.

About the role

Under the direction of the Director of Public Safety/Public Safety Manager, the position of the Senior Public Safety Officer (SPSO) supports the mission of Covenant House New York (CHNY) by fostering and maintaining safe and secure environments for its youth, staff and visitors. The SPSO will be required to maintain daily operational standards and execute a number of comprehensive and integrated security measures and countermeasures. Additionally, the SPSO must be able to adapt physically and psychologically to the changing needs and priorities of CHNY. This position requires an in-person and on site presence at CHNY’s Manhattan and Bronx locations as needed.

What you'll do

• Serve as the designee in the absence of the Public Safety Director/Manager and/or Supervisor
• Understand and follow given safety procedures
• Maintain operational standards according to Public Safety SOP
• Detect problems and report information to appropriate personnel
• Communicate effectively, both in writing and orally
• Gather incident data, compile information, prepare and write reports
• Knowledge of searching procedures and safety inspections
• Track record of effectively searching for contraband
• Conduct safety patrols in and around buildings, as assigned
• Basic computer knowledge required (i.e., Google Workplace)”
• Operate all departmental equipment, including radios, tablets, cameras, computers and online applications
• Listen and communicate calmly, effectively and courteously in both emergency and non-emergency situations
• Appropriately respond to calls for assistance with urgency
• Assist with emergency/safety drills according to prescribed procedures
• Enforce crowd control procedures, when appropriate
• De-escalate/intervene in physical/verbal altercations
• Must be willing to become an instructor and able to learn and implement Emergency Safety Physical Intervention (ESPI) techniques, including Safety Crisis Management (SCM)
• Have an active Red Cross issued First Aid CPR/AED certification or obtain one within three months
• Work a standard workweek; for non-exempt full time employees this is forty (40) hours per week. Hours may vary to accommodate the operational needs of the agency and/or department
• Must be willing and able to work a flexible work schedule to include mornings, evenings/overnights, weekends and holidays

Qualifications

• At least 8 years of Public Safety related experience required
• Willing and able to work a standard workweek; standard workweek for non-exempt full time employees is forty (40) hours per week and thirty-five (35) hours for exempt employees
• High School diploma or its equivalent, required
• The Senior Public Safety Officer MUST possess and maintain New York State security guard licensure throughout the course of their employment, including participation in, and successful completion of, any legally mandated training, including but not limited to on-the-job training and/or annual in-service requirements. This also applies to additional training, licenses and certifications obtained before and during employment. CHNY is not responsible for security guard license fees