Security Officer

ABOUT US:

The Palms Hotel and Spa, Miami Beach, is an independent luxury beach resort focused on wellness, sustainability and personalized service. Our beachfront property features 247 guest rooms and suites, an extensive tropical garden and pool area with Tiki Bar, a spacious beach concession, and over 8,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space for social and corporate events. The hotel’s signature eatery, Essensia Restaurant and Bar, delivers all-natural dining with a focus on locally and sustainably sourced ingredients. The Palms AVEDA Spa features holistic treatments influenced by ancient Ayurvedic philosophy designed to deliver a highly personalized experience.

A member of Preferred Hotels and Resorts and Beyond Green, The Palms has been independently owned and operated by a European family for over 25 years. Known as Miami Beach’s premier destination for wellness and relaxation, a forerunner in sustainable hotel operations, an expert in wedding services, an authority in healthful eating and all-natural spa services, our hotel, restaurant and spa have won many accolades and awards. Enjoy a stable work environment in a professionally run hotel, where we help each other to flourish and grow. Come and be a part of The Palms family!

JOB SUMMARY:

The Overnight Security Officer is responsible for maintaining a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for all guests, employees, visitors, contractors, vendors, and hotel assets during overnight operations. This position safeguards the hotel, parking garage, parking facilities, Pool & Beach operation, and all surrounding property through proactive patrols, emergency response, access control, and exceptional guest service. The Overnight Security Officer also supports operational security functions, including receiving deliveries and mail, monitoring employee entrances, conducting bag inspections, maintaining accountability for security equipment and electronic devices, overseeing employee locker security, documenting incidents and accidents, and ensuring compliance with all hotel safety and security procedures.

MAIN DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Maintain a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for guests, employees, visitors, contractors, vendors, and all hotel property at all times.
• Patrol all interior and exterior areas of the property, including guest room floors, public areas, restaurants, bars, meeting and event spaces, administrative offices, back-of-house areas, employee facilities, locker rooms, the loading dock and receiving area, parking garage, parking lots, Pool & Beach facilities, beach access points, landscaped grounds, and the entire hotel perimeter to identify and report safety, security, maintenance, or operational concerns.
• Maintain a visible security presence to deter criminal activity, unauthorized access, theft, vandalism, and unsafe behavior.
• Monitor CCTV cameras, fire alarm systems, access control systems, emergency panels, radios, and other security equipment.
• Conduct routine security rounds and document all patrols as required.
• Respond promptly and professionally to guest requests, employee concerns, disturbances, suspicious activity, emergencies, accidents, injuries, and security incidents.
• Provide immediate assistance during medical emergencies and coordinate with Police, Fire Rescue, EMS, or other emergency responders as necessary.
• Secure incident scenes and assist management, Human Resources, Risk Management, insurance representatives, and law enforcement during investigations.
• Prepare complete, accurate, and timely Incident Reports, Accident Reports, Witness Statements, Daily Activity Reports, security logs, and all other required documentation before the conclusion of each shift.
• Report all accidents, injuries, safety hazards, property damage, suspicious activity, and policy violations immediately to management.
• Conduct bag inspections and package checks in accordance with company policies while maintaining professionalism and respect for employees, contractors, and visitors.
• Monitor employee entrances and exits while enforcing hotel access control procedures.
• Verify identification for employees, contractors, vendors, and visitors entering restricted or back-of-house areas.
• Receive, document, secure, and distribute overnight deliveries, mail, packages, and courier services to the appropriate department.
• Monitor the receiving area and loading dock to ensure only authorized deliveries and vendor access are permitted.
• Maintain security and accountability of employee locker rooms and lockers.
• Maintain inventory, issuance, collection, and accountability of company property and Security Department equipment, including:
  • Master keys and key cards
  • Radios
  • Tablets
  • Electronic devices
  • Panic buttons
  • Flashlights
  • Access cards
  • Other company-issued equipment
• Maintain accurate issuance logs and immediately report lost, damaged, or malfunctioning equipment.
• Secure, document, and maintain Lost and Found property in accordance with hotel procedures.
• Perform routine fire and life safety inspections, including emergency exits, fire extinguishers, AEDs, emergency lighting, stairwells, evacuation routes, and fire panels.
• Conduct fire watch duties when assigned.
• Patrol and monitor the parking garage, employee parking, guest parking areas, and all exterior property to ensure a safe and secure environment.
• Monitor the Pool & Beach facilities and beach access areas during overnight hours, reporting unauthorized access, unsafe conditions, damaged equipment, or suspicious activity.
• Assist guests with room access, escorts, vehicle assistance, directions, and other security-related requests.
• Escort employees, guests, vendors, contractors, cash transfers, or valuable assets when requested.
• Respond to fire alarms, power outages, severe weather, utility failures, evacuations, water leaks, flooding, and other emergency situations in accordance with hotel emergency procedures.
• Report maintenance deficiencies and unsafe conditions immediately to the appropriate department and follow up as necessary.
• Enforce hotel policies, safety procedures, and security standards in a fair, consistent, and professional manner.
• Maintain confidentiality regarding guests, employees, investigations, surveillance footage, and hotel operations.
• Communicate effectively with all hotel departments regarding safety, security, maintenance, and operational concerns.
• Attend required departmental meetings, safety meetings, emergency drills, and training sessions.
• Adhere to all sustainability guidelines as per the Inspired by Nature Program.
• Perform other duties and special assignments as directed by the Director of Security or Hotel Management.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required:

• Excellent customer service skills
• Strong safety awareness
• Excellent observation and attention to detail
• Sound judgment and decision-making skills
• Ability to maintain confidentiality
• Strong report writing and documentation skills
• Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills
• Emergency response and crisis management skills
• Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team environment
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Proficient in the English language (written and verbal); a second language is an asset
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment
• Show Genuine Care for all guests, employees, visitors, contractors, and vendors by treating everyone with courtesy, professionalism, dignity, and respect.
• Maintain a professional appearance and demeanor at all times
• Ability to maintain composure and professionalism under pressure
• Commitment to upholding The Palms Hotel & Spa's standards of safety, security, sustainability, and exceptional guest service

Education/Certifications

• High School Diploma or GED.
• Previous hotel, hospitality, military, or law enforcement experience preferred.
• Florida Class D Security License preferred or ability to obtain.
• CPR/AED/First Aid certification preferred.
• Basic computer skills and effective written and verbal communication

WORK CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

• Ability to stand and walk for extended periods, including up to eight (8) consecutive hours while conducting interior and exterior patrols.
• Frequently patrol guest floors, stairwells, parking facilities, Pool & Beach operations, beach access areas, landscaped grounds, and other hotel property.
• Frequently climb and descend multiple flights of stairs.
• Walk on various surfaces, including carpet, tile, concrete, asphalt, ramps, grass, and sand.
• Frequently bend, stoop, kneel, crouch, squat, reach, and twist while conducting inspections or responding to incidents.
• Lift, carry, push, or pull up to 50 pounds without assistance.
• Possess sufficient manual dexterity to operate radios, telephones, computers, surveillance systems, access control systems, electronic devices, and other security equipment.
• Maintain visual acuity to monitor surveillance systems, inspect identification, observe suspicious activity, and identify safety hazards.
• Possess adequate hearing and verbal communication skills to respond to alarms, emergency notifications, and radio communications.
• Respond immediately to emergency situations by walking quickly, climbing stairs, or running short distances when necessary.
• Work indoors and outdoors in varying weather conditions, including heat, humidity, rain, and other environmental conditions typical of South Florida.
• Maintain the physical stamina and mental alertness required to perform overnight shifts, including weekends, holidays, and extended hours as business needs require.
• Fast-paced luxury hospitality environment requiring flexibility, professionalism, and sound judgment.

This job description is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties and requirements, efforts, or working conditions associated with this position. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current tasks performed, management reserves the right to revise or require other commitments when circumstances prevail.

The hotel operates seven days a week, 24 hours a day. We may find it necessary to schedule shifts according to our business volume. You must be willing and available to fulfill changing operational demands.

All requirements are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with a disability.