Campus Safety Ambassador

HOW TO APPLY

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INITIAL REVIEW DATE (IRD)

UC Santa Cruz jobs are posted until filled. All application materials submitted by 11:59 pm on the IRD will be routed to the hiring team for consideration. NOTE: Applicants who miss the IRD are still encouraged to apply; their materials will still be forwarded for consideration if requested by the hiring team. Application materials cannot be accepted outside of the jobs portal. Applications cannot be edited on an applicant's behalf. For more information about the IRD and the applicant review process, view this link.

The IRD for this job is: 09-16-2026

ABOUT UC SANTA CRUZ

UC Santa Cruz is a public university like no other in California, combining the experience of a small, liberal arts college with the depth and rigor of a major research university. It's known as an unconventional place where innovation and experimentation is part of the campus's DNA. That playful, bold spirit still thrives today, all on a campus renowned as among the most beautiful in the world.

DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW

Risk and Safety Services (RSS) serves the campus by leading, coordinating, and supporting multidisciplinary programs and services designed to promote and sustain a safe, healthy, secure, and resilient campus environment. RSS accomplishes this mission through comprehensive risk management, injury and loss prevention, emergency preparedness and response, access and transportation services, occupational health, and coordinated recovery efforts. Performing these critical functions requires a broad range of administrative, operational, business, and financial support across all RSS units.

Collectively, RSS manages an annual budget exceeding $28 million and supports a workforce of more than 250 employees, requiring effective leadership, fiscal stewardship, operational coordination, regulatory compliance, strategic planning, and resource management. Risk and Safety Services includes the following operations: Associate Vice Chancellor (AVC) Risk & Safety Services Administrative Office Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) Risk Services & Occupational Health Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) Office of Emergency Services (OES)

More information can be found at: https://riskandsafety.ucsc.edu/programs/campus-safety-ambassadors/

JOB SUMMARY

Campus Safety Ambassadors protect university property; maintain order among the public and UCSC community; monitor and control Campus Safety Ambassadors help maintain a safe and orderly environment for members of the UCSC community and the public, and provide a visible safety presence throughout assigned campus locations. Their responsibilities include monitoring and controlling access to restricted areas; conducting routine patrols and safety inspections; identifying and reporting fire, safety, security, and facility hazards; assisting with the prevention of accidents and property loss; providing directions and information to students, employees, visitors, and other members of the campus community; and performing other related duties as assigned.

Under the supervision of the Campus Security Manager, Campus Safety Ambassadors are responsible for supporting the safety and security of students, residents, employees, families, visitors, and University property during their assigned shifts. Ambassadors exercise situational awareness, observe and report suspicious or unsafe conditions, respond appropriately to incidents within the scope of their responsibilities, and promptly communicate conditions requiring additional assistance. Campus Safety Ambassadors work collaboratively with campus and community emergency response agencies, including the University of California Police Department (UCPD), Santa Cruz Police Department, Santa Cruz Fire Department, and the Office of Emergency Management and Mission Continuity (OEM). During emergencies, disasters, demonstrations, protests, and other significant campus events, Ambassadors may provide safety support, access control, observation and reporting, pedestrian or crowd guidance, and other assigned functions in coordination with appropriate emergency response personnel and established University protocols.

APPOINTMENT INFORMATION

Budgeted Salary: $27.88/hour
Under California law, the University of California, Santa Cruz is required to post a reasonable estimate of the compensation for this role. The salary shown above is the budgeted amount the University reasonably expects to pay and the salary extended should not exceed this posted amount.

Benefits Level Eligibility: Full benefits

Schedule Information:

• Full-time, Fixed
• Percentage of Time: 100%, 40 Hours per Week
• Days of the Week: Mon-Sun, TBD
• Shift Includes: Day, Evening, Night & Weekend

Employee Classification: Career appointment

Job End Date: None

Work Location: UC Santa Cruz Main Campus

Union Representation: SX, Service Unit

Job Code Classification: SCRTY GUARD (005327)

Travel: Never or Rarely

JOB DUTIES

90% - Security and Patrol

• Protect University property and conduct unscheduled security and safety patrols, both on foot and in university vehicles, throughout assigned areas. Patrols are performed to identify and help prevent hazards and incidents involving fire, theft, accidents, trespassing, unauthorized access, security violations, and other irregular or unsafe conditions.
• Inspect doors, windows, gates, locks, access points, and other security features during each assigned patrol to ensure facilities and University property are properly secured. Document deficiencies, suspicious conditions, and report security concerns to the UCSC Police Department (UCPD) and/or other appropriate University authorities as necessary.
• Patrol designated areas and promptly communicate with UCSC Dispatch by telephone regarding suspicious behavior, suspected criminal activity, emergencies, life-threatening circumstances, or other situations requiring police, fire, medical, or additional emergency response.
• Monitor assigned University facilities and property for unauthorized access, suspicious activity, safety hazards, property damage, and other conditions that could affect the safety and security of the campus community. Notify law enforcement or the appropriate campus department when intervention or follow-up is required.
• Serve as an important communication and coordination link between the campus community and University Police, providing timely and accurate information regarding safety concerns, incidents, emergencies, and observed conditions.
• Promote the safety and security of the UCSC community, including students, faculty, staff, residents, and visitors, by maintaining a professional and visible presence intended to deter criminal activity, discourage inappropriate behavior, identify potential hazards, and support a safe campus environment.
• Monitor and respond appropriately to building alarm and notification systems, including fire, safety, security, temperature, and other facility-related alarms. Upon activation, assess conditions within the scope of assigned responsibilities and promptly notify the appropriate police, fire, emergency response, facilities, building management, or designated client authority in accordance with established procedures.
• Maintain clear and accurate documentation of patrol activities, incidents, safety concerns, security deficiencies, alarm activations, and other significant observations in accordance with established departmental reporting procedures.

10% - Administrative and Other Duties

• Complete all required daily activity logs, patrol records, checklists, and other documentation accurately and promptly for each assigned shift.
• Monitor and respond to university email and other authorized communication systems during assigned work periods to remain informed of operational updates, assignments, safety concerns, and departmental communications.
• Prepare clear, accurate, and timely incident reports and other required documentation for review by the immediate supervisor, ensuring that significant events, observations, and actions taken are properly documented.
• Participate in required training, drills, exercises, and practice sessions related to fire response, earthquake preparedness and evacuation, first aid, CPR, AED use, and other emergency preparedness and response procedures.
• Maintain current knowledge of security bulletins, post orders, emergency procedures, departmental directives, and other official communications concerning safety, security, operational changes, or identified concerns within assigned areas.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Skilled in interacting diplomatically with the public in a high volume, continuous public contact setting. Skilled in speaking and interacting with persons of various social, cultural, and economic and educational backgrounds to exchange information. Ability to deal professionally with the public.
• Ability to learn, understand and apply working knowledge of UCSC's Police Department organizational structure.
• Working knowledge of radio codes and language in order to use and understand the police radio.
• Ability to assess a problematic or emergency situation and plan/execute an appropriate solution in a quick manner. Ability to hear and see to identify life threatening or criminal circumstances and communicate that information over a two-way police radio. Skilled in recognizing an emergency situation and taking appropriate action.
• Skilled in using available resources in order to solve problems. Ability to independently resolve issues working within a set of policies and procedures.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas using appropriate English vocabulary and grammar in writing. Ability to relay information, in writing, in a professional manner, in order to write reports or relay information to the public or to the organization and its representatives.
• Ability to clearly and concisely express ideas using appropriate English vocabulary and grammar verbally. Ability to relay information, verbally, in a professional manner, in order to relay information to the public or to the organization and its representatives.
• Ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with individuals at all levels of employment.
• Ability to maintain equanimity in the face of resistance, indifference or hostility.
• Ability to think through the consequences of a decision prior to making it.
• Ability to attend to detail and follow through in all assigned duties and tasks to completion in a prescribed period of time. Skilled in working independently and following through on assignments and duties with minimal direction.
• Demonstrated ability to learn detailed knowledge of various campus locations in order to expedite calls and be an effective information source.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• General knowledge of First Aid, CPR, and AED.
• Current CPR certification
• Basic First Aid certification
• Demonstrated ability to proficiently use computers with Microsoft Software.
• Prior experience in the security field.
• Military experience

SPECIAL CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• Selected candidate will be required to pass a pre-employment criminal history background check.
• Selected candidate must pass the employment misconduct disclosure process.
• Must possess a valid license to drive in the state of California and participate in the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) pull notice program.
• Ability to walk multiple nightly rounds on uneven surfaces and repeatedly climb stairs.
• Ability to perform work in a rugged physical environment and inclement weather with challenging infrastructure requirements.
• Ability to sustain exposure to dusty, noisy environments and inclement weather as necessary to carry out assigned duties and responsibilities.
• Ability to safely perform the physical requirements necessary to move light to moderate objects up to 60 lbs., with or without accommodation.
• The selected candidate will be required to work all scheduled hours on-site.
• Ability to work a variable schedule including evenings and weekends.
• Ability to work overtime including evenings, nights, weekends and holidays to meet operational needs, and work an alternate work schedule shift as required.
• Selected candidate will be required to complete training within established time frames as directed including UC compliance training.
  Clery Act: This position has been identified as a Campus Security Authority (CSA); required to report crimes, incidents, and disciplinary referral statistics as required by the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act.
• Ability to travel to multiple work locations on and off campus.
• Ability to travel within a defined regional or service area.
• Will be required to wear a University provided uniform.
• The University of California has implemented a Vaccination Policy covering all employees. Employees, including new hires, are required to comply with any applicable policies relating to the University of California vaccine program.

• Per the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act (CANRA), this position has been identified as a Mandated Reporter. The selected candidate will be required to report known or suspected child abuse or neglect as defined by CANRA and will be required to sign a Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse prior to commencing employment. CANRA Penal Codes, and related definitions, requirements, and responsibilities may be obtained here.

MISCONDUCT DISCLOSURE REQUIREMENT

As a condition of employment, the final candidate who accepts a conditional offer of employment will be required to disclose if they have been subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct; received notice of any allegations or are currently the subject of any administrative or disciplinary proceedings involving misconduct; have left a position after receiving notice of allegations or while under investigation in an administrative or disciplinary proceeding involving misconduct; or have filed an appeal of a finding of misconduct with a previous employer.

• "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer. For reference, below are UC's policies addressing some forms of misconduct:
  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy
  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy
  • Abusive Conduct in the Workplace

SAFETY STATEMENT

All UCSC employees must understand and follow job safety procedures, attend required health and safety training, proactively promote safety at work, and promptly report actual and potential accidents and injuries.

NOTICE OF AVAILABILITY

EEO/AA

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status or other protected categories covered by the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy.

It is the policy of the University of California to undertake affirmative action and anti-discrimination efforts, consistent with its obligations as a Federal and State contractor.