Security Systems Technician

Cook County

Sheriff

Job Code:       XXXX   

Job Title:       Security Systems Technician

Salary Grade: 23

Department:   Sheriff’s TechOps Bureau   

Bargaining Unit: Not Applicable

Position Details: Civilian (non-sworn) / non-merit ranked / internal & external candidates

FLSA Status:Exempt

Probation Period: 12 months   

Designation – SEAM EE: Technical             

Characteristics of the Position

General Overview

Reporting to Director of IT Operations, the Security Systems Technician is responsible for facilitating the installation, configuration, and ongoing maintenance of all security camera systems across the organization. This role serves as the primary liaison between IT, union labor departments, and Genetec Server Engineers to ensure reliable and standardized operation of all camera systems. The technician oversees project coordination, system verification, documentation, and technical support related to camera infrastructure — without performing physical installation work.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

Coordinate with union labor departments for the physical installation, cabling, and maintenance of security cameras.

Ensure all installations adhere to company standards, security requirements, and technical specifications.

Collaborate with Genetec Server Engineers to ensure camera integrations, configurations, and system performance meet operational expectations.

Schedule and oversee camera deployment projects, ensuring alignment with timelines and site readiness.

Verify that all newly installed or relocated cameras are properly connected, recording, and viewable within Genetec.

Maintain up-to-date camera inventories, system maps, and documentation for all sites.

Conduct system health checks to ensure uptime, video quality, and proper retention.

Report issues or outages to appropriate departments (labor or server engineering) for resolution.

Monitor system alerts and work orders related to camera performance or outages.

Open, track, and manage service tickets with appropriate internal or external teams.

Assist in planning and scheduling preventative maintenance cycles with the labor groups responsible.

Provide technical guidance to onsite teams and leadership on camera capabilities, coverage, and system health.

Maintain detailed records of all camera assets, network locations, and configurations.

Update floorplans and site diagrams after camera additions, removals, or relocations.

Ensure compliance with internal security and data retention policies.

Support audits, inspections, and system reviews as needed.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Strong understanding of security camera systems, including installation, configuration, and integration.

In-depth knowledge of Genetec Security Center or comparable VMS (Video Management Systems).

Familiarity with network infrastructure, including IP addressing, cabling, and connectivity for video systems.

Knowledge of union labor coordination processes and practices related to physical security installations.

Understanding of video retention policies, system compliance, and audit readiness.

Awareness of preventative maintenance protocols and procedures for electronic security equipment.

Excellent project coordination skills, including the ability to schedule, oversee, and track multiple camera deployment projects simultaneously.

Proficiency in documenting system configurations, network locations, and hardware assets.

Strong technical troubleshooting skills for diagnosing camera, network, or system-level issues.

Skilled in creating and updating system maps, floorplans, and technical documentation.

Ability to open, track, and resolve service tickets efficiently with internal and external teams.

Effective written and verbal communication skills to interface with cross-functional teams including labor crews, engineers, and leadership.

Ability to verify camera functionality and system health across multiple sites using Genetec or equivalent platforms.

Ability to work collaboratively with server engineers and field technicians to ensure system performance.

Ability to interpret and apply technical standards, security requirements, and compliance policies.

Ability to manage detailed asset inventories and maintain high accuracy in documentation.

Ability to provide technical guidance to non-technical stakeholders and lead onsite assessments.

Ability to adapt to evolving project demands, prioritize tasks, and meet tight deadlines in a dynamic environment.

Minimum Qualifications

Possession of high school diploma or General Education Development (G.E.D.) test certificate. 

3+ years of experience in IP-based security camera systems or physical security technology.

Strong understanding of video surveillance systems and networking fundamentals (IP addressing, PoE, VLANs).

Familiarity with enterprise-level Video Management Systems (Genetec preferred).

Excellent organizational and coordination skills across multiple departments.

Experience managing service requests, projects, or installations in multi-site environments. 

Preferred Qualifications

Experience with Genetec Security Center or other enterprise-class VMS platforms.

Working knowledge of Windows-based systems and network hardware.

Prior experience collaborating with unionized labor or facilities teams.

Strong documentation and reporting skills.

The duties listed are not set forth for purposes of limiting the assignment of work. They are nottobeconstruedasacompletelistofthemanydutiesnormallytobeperformedunderajob title or those to be performed temporarily outside an employee’s normal line of work.

**ArticleEE,Civilian SelectionProcess,oftheSheriff’sEmployment Action Manual (SEAM), applies to this employment process and can be found at the followinglink:

https://cookcountysheriffil.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SEAM-Article-EE-Civilian-Selection-Process-updated-11-15-25.pdf

Pleasenotethattherearenoremotejobopportunities, allpositionsarelocated onsite.

All Cook County Sheriff’s Office employees must apply on the internal employment page to be considered; the application may be accessed via the SheriffNet site on the Human Resource page.

*Note: All Internal Applicants are subject to Cook County Promotional salary rules if selected.

ICertifythatnoPoliticalReasonsorFactorswereconsideredinanydecisionImadeoraction I took related to this Employment Action.Further, I do not know of or have any reason to believe that anyone else considered or took action based on Political Reasons or Factors with respect to this Employment Action.

EEO Statement

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits all unlawful discrimination in its hiring and promotional process. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office employment decisions will not be based on race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, family or parental status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

Benefits

HealthInsuranceProgram – Health insurance coverage includes medical, dental and vision care and is available for an employee and his/her eligible dependents.

Holidays – Thirteen (13) Holidays are granted in each Fiscal Year. Employees who are active at the beginning of the fiscal year (December 1^st) also qualify for a floating holiday.

SickLeave – Granted sick leave is earned and accrued at the rate of one (1) day for each month of service and may be accumulated up to one hundred and seventy-five (175) working days.

Vacation Leave – Granted Vacation leave is earned and accrued, with employees having the opportunity to accrue fifteen (15) days within the Fiscal Year; Vacation leave accruals increase based on an employee’s anniversary date of employment.

LifeInsurance – Basic term life insurance, equal to one (1) time the employee’s annual salary, is offered to every employee at no cost and the employee may elect to purchase supplemental coverage.

PensionPlan – Employees contribute into the Cook County Pension Fund and earn a prescribed percentage for each year of service; employees may be eligible for an annual annuity after ten

(10) years of service and upon reaching a certain age based on when the employee started employment.

DeferredCompensationProgram – Employees may elect to enroll in a deferred compensation plan, a tax deferred plan which may be used as a supplemental retirement option.

The 2025 Cook County Employee Benefits Overview can be viewed at:

https://www.cookcountyil.gov/sites/g/files/ywwepo161/files/documents/2025-09/OE26.Employee Benefits Overview (EBO)_County.pdf

DrugandAlcohol-FreeWorkplace

It is the policy of the Cook County Sheriff’s Office to provide a drug- and alcohol-free workplace for all members.

It is imperative that all Sheriff’s Office members are capable of devoting constant and uninterrupted attention to the performance of all assigned duties without risk to safety and security for themselves, other members, or the public. To ensure the goals of this policy are met, all Sheriff’s Office members shall be subject to drug and alcohol testing, whether mandatory, random, or based on reasonable suspicion.

*Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. *

This position requires successful completion of post-offer tests, which may include a background check, drug screen and/or medical examination. Falsification of any information in the application process will result in disqualification and ineligible for appointment to, or employment in, a position in the County service for a period of five years. For current Cook County Sheriff’s employees, such falsification may result in discipline, up to and including termination, and ineligible for appointment to or employment in a position in the County service for a period of five years. See Cook County Code of Ordinances, Article II, Sections 44-54 Unlawful Practices Relating to Employees and Employment - Penalty, 44-56 Political Discrimination; Cook County Employment Plan, Section V.N. Pre-Interview License and Certification Verification; Supplemental Policy No. 2014-2.13 Ineligible for Rehire List; and Cook County Personnel Rules 3.3(b) (7) (8) (18).

Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM)

The Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring process is governed by the Sheriff’s Employment Action Manual (SEAM) which prohibits employment actions from being influenced by any Political Reasons or Factors for Non-Exempt Positions. Cook County Sheriff’s officials and employees who become aware of or receive a complaint that involves an allegation of Political Reasons or Factors being considered in the hiring process of Non-Exempt positions are obligated to refer the complaint to the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance. If the Cook County Sheriff’s Director of Compliance sustains allegations of Political Reasons or Factors being considered, the Cook County Sheriff’s Office will disqualify the Applicant or Candidate from consideration for employment and disciplinary action will be imposed on any involved Cook County employees, if applicable.”

The advertisement of this position by any individual does not constitute an offer or promise of employment, promotion, or any other employment action and shall not influence the Cook County Sheriff’s Office hiring decision.