Physical Security Systems Administrator

Physical Security Systems Administrator

This role serves as the primary technical authority for access control, video surveillance, emergency communications systems including call boxes, emergency phones, and elevator communications, warning and alert management systems, fire systems and alarms, and other related safety platforms, by ensuring systems are resilient, secure, and aligned with institutional risk management practices.

The position operates as the chief steward who ensures that an appropriate collaboration between Public Safety, IT, Facilities/Physical Plant, and other stakeholders is maintained in order to ensure the success of the college’s safety and security program. Success at this position requires both strategic oversight and hands-on technical expertise. The Physical Security Systems Administrator must be available for all shift assignments, including holidays and weekends, to respond to requests for assistance or emergencies on campus.

This position will have a dotted line reporting relationship to the Director of Public Safety and will be embedded in both the Public Safety and Information Technology Services departments day-to-day. The Director of Public Safety will be included in annual performance evaluations and be included in the recruiting process.

Key Responsibilities

Access Control & Door Security

• Program and maintain door access controllers and associated infrastructure.
• Oversee installation and lifecycle management of physical door components including proximity readers, door position switches (door ajar), request-to-exit devices, crash/breaker bars, and locking hardware.
• Administer CS Gold Web (or equivalent system) and train authorized staff on monitoring, remote unlock procedures, and reporting.
• Coordinate installations, upgrades, and repairs with integrators (e.g., REJ or equivalent vendors).
• Establish and enforce technical standards for access control deployments.
• Respond quickly to emergency events, such as safety and security issues, equipment failures, door control issues, including after normal business hours

Video Surveillance Systems

• Lead purchasing decisions, vendor evaluations, and technical specifications for camera systems.
• Oversee camera mounting, positioning, networking, firmware updates, and server/client software maintenance.
• Configure and manage video management servers and storage environments.
• Provide user setup and training for authorized personnel.
• Deliver after-hours escalation support for critical outages or security incidents.
• Respond quickly to emergency events, such as safety and security issues, equipment failures, off-line camera, including after normal business hours.

Security Software & Vendor Management

• Troubleshoot and maintain software supporting cameras, access control, and related life-safety integrations.
• Serve as the primary liaison with security technology vendors and technical support teams.
• Coordinate system upgrades, patches, and compatibility testing.
• Train Public Safety personnel on specialized applications and general computing workflows.
• Administer reporting platforms such as Omnigo and provide executive-level reporting when required.
• Manage spare parts and order accordingly to maintain stock and ensure minimal downtime for failures.

Emergency Communications & Telephone

• Maintain emergency phone infrastructure including blue-light phones, elevator emergency lines, and radio-based call boxes.
• Support fire alarm auto-dialers, including transition planning from legacy POTS lines to IP-based solutions.
• Coordinate with Facilities and fire alarm vendors on networking dependencies affecting dialers.
• Assist in evaluating and implementing enterprise call recording solutions where applicable.
• Administer Omnilert emergency notification system by ensuring newest version updates; Managing users; Installing the application on fixed and mobile devices; and monitoring updating message templates; and conducting tests of the emergency notification system.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Communicates effectively and collaboratively with Public Safety, Physical Plant, Information Technology Services (ITS), Student/Residence Life, contractors, vendors and others through consistent meetings to ensure all stakeholders needs are addressed; Regular attendance in cross-departmental meetings such as Change Control and Safety Committee.
• Through inter-department cooperation, managing and physically installing new hardware, generating cost estimates, configuring and programming hardware and software, participating in wiring and connection design, and awareness of building connection management. 
• Participate in construction and renovation planning to ensure security technologies are incorporated early in design phases.
• Translate operational safety needs into technical requirements.
• Participate in grant applications and implementation, including product evaluation and justification, cost estimates, managing grant schedules and parameters, managing installation of equipment, and completing mandatory grant fund usage reports.
• Translate operational safety needs into technical requirements.
• Respond rapidly to emergency events, safety and security incidents, and system disruptions (e.g., cameras offline, access control failures), ensuring clear and effective communication while coordinating across Public Safety, Facilities, and others to restore operations and maintain continuity.

Other Support

• Lead procurement, rack installation, testing, and operational readiness of advanced detection systems (e.g., Eagle Eye or similar).
• Maintain technical responsibility for fire alarm auto-dialers.
• Provide technical support and troubleshooting for the campus radio ecosystem used by operational staff.
• Coordinate repairs, licensing considerations, and vendor services as needed.
• Assists Public Safety Officers with investigations by ensuring access to necessary systems for evidence gathering, reporting, and time line determinations.
• Assists with revising and updating emergency response plans and procedures as necessary.
• Provides oversight and inspection of safety equipment including but not limited to automated external defibrillators, first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and manual door tools (extraction and securing).
• Coordinate annual fire safety inspections with the local fire department, including self pre-safety inspections, by coordinating schedules, provide oversight and access to all campus locations; Ensure college and city fire regulations are met.

Experience and Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or vocational/technical school degree required; Bachelor’s degree preferred; Information Technology, Electronics, Criminal Justice Technology, or related field or equivalent professional experience.
• 4-7 years of related professional experience required; 7-10 years preferred

Required Knowledge

• Advanced knowledge of City, County, State or Federal laws and regulations in regard to physical safety and security operations
• Experience in higher education, healthcare, or similarly complex campus environments related to card access systems, camera and key management systems.
• Systems thinking and integration mindset
• Risk awareness and security-first orientation
• Familiarity with life-safety regulations and security best practices.
• Project management experience related to infrastructure deployments.
• Exposure to cloud-managed surveillance platforms.
• Strong working knowledge of IP networking, low-voltage systems, and server-based applications.
• Experience managing external vendors and service providers.

Required Skills 

• Strong understanding of networking concepts, including TCP/IP, DNS, DHCP, and VPNs.
• Working knowledge and skill with electronic systems, networking and control systems, communication systems (phone, radio, network, switching, etc), computer programming, and device configuration and modification.
• Proficiency in managing enterprise-level storage systems and backups.
• Advanced knowledge of cybersecurity principles and best practices.
• Excellent problem-solving and troubleshooting skills.
• Strong communication skills and the ability to work effectively with Public Safety, Student Life, other college inter-departmental offices, outside vendors, end-users and IT staff.
• Applicable skills necessary to install and maintain equipment, systems, servers, applications, and ability to conduct physical installations.
• Cross-trained to operate, trouble shoot, and conduct repairs on phones, radios, scanners, switchboards, and alarm systems.
• Should possess or commit to receiving CPR and basic first aid certificates.

 

Required Abilities

• Ability to be adaptive as needed when working with students. Strong customer service orientation.
• Proven analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to stay flexible and collected in stressful situations.
• Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a high-pressure environment.
• Strong interpersonal and oral communication skills.
• Adept at reading, writing, and interpreting technical documentation and procedure manuals.
• Ability to conduct research into hardware and software issues and products as required.
• Ability to present ideas and solutions in user-friendly language.
• Highly self motivated and directed.
• Keen attention to detail.
• Skilled at working within a team-oriented, collaborative environment.
• Ability to support occasional after-hours incidents.
• Ability to use power and hand tools, perform physical repairs.
• Must be comfortable with confined spaces, heights, ladder usage, extensive walking and climbing stairs, lifting, moving equipment, and perform other physical duties and functions as required.
• Adept at reading, writing, and interpreting technical documentation and procedure manuals.
• Must also possess the ability to work independently and exercise sound judgment while handling multiple/simultaneous confidential responsibilities in stressful situations.
• Ability to support frequent after-hours incidents or requests for technical assistance, to work extended shifts on short notice, and/or be called into work outside normal scheduled hours.
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Compensation

Expected starting salary: $80,000.00 full time, exempt