Security Guard

About Us

Abby’s House, founded in 1976, provides a trauma-sensitive and welcoming environment for women experiencing homelessness. Rooted in the legacy of Abby Kelley Foster, a leading advocate for social justice, we are committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Abby’s House is one of the first shelters in the U.S. designed specifically for women experiencing homelessness, and we continue to work at the intersections of homelessness, trauma, and empowerment.

Position Overview

The Security Guard at Abby’s House is responsible for ensuring the safety and security of the building and its occupants by monitoring access, conducting rounds, and responding to incidents. This role is vital in maintaining a secure environment for residents, staff, and visitors by adhering to established procedures and protocols.

Key Responsibilities:

Door Monitoring

• Use the buzzer system to greet patrons at the entrance with: “Abby’s, how may I help you?”
• Ensure all visitors sign in at the front desk. Visitors must contact the resident they are visiting, who must greet them at the entrance. No visitor should enter without being escorted by the resident. Do not provide room or phone numbers to visitors or callers.
• Ensure visitors sign out when leaving and are escorted by the resident.
• Verify resident identities before allowing access if they do not have their key, using the Resident Face Sheet or confirming with the On-Call staff.
• Identify Shelter Guests by reviewing the Shelter Census.
• Keep the office door locked when unattended and carry your keys at all times.
• Ensure visitors leave the building by 8:00 p.m., escorted by the resident they visited.

Phone Call Management

• Direct all shelter inquiries to the shelter hotline at extension 24, informing callers that the shelter has a 2-3 month waiting period.
• Provide callers with alternative hotline numbers as listed in the flip chart.
• Incident and Maintenance Reports
• File all incident reports in the locked box located in the hallway.
• For maintenance issues, give residents a maintenance form. The top copy should go to Tess’s box, and the resident retains the bottom copy. Urgent issues should be reported to the On-Call staff.

Rounds

• Ensure all doors on the main and thrift shop floors are locked; report any unlocked doors.
• Conduct rounds on all floors, basement common areas, back smoking area, and the Women’s Center three times per shift at different times.

On Call Support

• Contact a member of the Advocacy Team for assistance or in case of emergency. Staff is available 24 hours a day at 774-272-0176.

Position Requirements

• Education: High school diploma or equivalent; security experience preferred.
• Skills: Strong communication, attention to detail, problem-solving, and customer service. Physical ability to conduct rounds and handle incidents.
• Certifications: CPR/First Aid preferred; security certifications a plus.
• Other: Must pass a background check, maintain confidentiality, and work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
• Passion: Strong alignment with Abby’s House’s mission and values.
• Commitment: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and anti-racism principles.

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please send a resume and cover letter to applications@abbyshouse.org or by applying online. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We will accept applications until the position is filled.

DEIAAB Statement

Abby’s House is committed to growing its understanding of and practice around diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, anti-racism, and belonging in all of the organization’s activities, programs, practices, and services. Staff are an integral part of this evolving practice. We also are a trauma-informed organization, and as such, Abby’s House encourages applicants with lived experience who are well-grounded in their recovery and have ample capacity for reflective thinking and learning.