Security Officer
Whitney Museum of American Art
Security Officers are part of the public-facing team and are principally responsible for the safety and security of our visitors and staff. Security Officers contribute to the overall protection of art and aim to prevent any serious art incident. Security Officers provide security service in the lobby, in the galleries, at the staff entrance, in central and at our art storage facility. On occasion they may be asked to work in locations different from those listed. They assist with the management of visitors. Reports to Assistant Head Security Officer, Head Security Officer, Security Supervisor, Security Manager, Director of Security. As part of the Visitor Experience team, Security Officers create a positive environment for the general public and museum members. Shifts Include Weekends, Overnights, Evenings and Mornings. Requirements: 8 and 16 hour New York State Certification; promptness; strong customer service skills; ability to stand for long periods and a neat appearance; fire Security Officer experience is required. General Description: The Security Officer enforces Museum security regulations for the public as well as the staff. They will Security Officer and patrol an assigned area. Primary Responsibilities and Duties: Enforce the Museum rules of conduct for visitorsPatrol designated area in the galleries or lobbyEnsure that the public, the Museum Staff and other outside contractors adhere to certain fundamental rules of security to prevent theft, fire, damage, and personal injuryResponsible for preventing disorder and overcrowdingMonitor and report safety conditionsMonitor CCTV cameras as requiredResponsible for elevator operationCheck packages of persons and/or staff leaving the MuseumResponsible for any other duties as directed by Director of Security or designee.Requirements and Qualifications: Organizational skills preferredExcellent communication skills preferredBi-Lingual a plusMust be able to stand particularly for sustained periods of time.Respond to First Aid and Emergency SituationsManeuver safely up and down flights of stairs multiple times a round or shift.Must able bend, jump, run and lift about 25 poundsRelationships: Daily contact with Visitors, Retail, Member Services, Facilities, Education and Visitor Services departmentsConfidentiality: As required in relation to any sensitive information in relation to safety or securityPrincipal Responsibilities: Uniformed PositionAssigned to fixed or mobile security post inside or outside the museum.Assists in visitor traffic and crowd control.Monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules.Assist visitors by providing directions, answering questions.Responds to calls for assistance.Complete other tasks as assigned.Qualifications: Must possess a current NYS Security Officer License.High School Diploma or equivalent required.Knowledge: Superior communication and customer service skills.Computer literacy a plus.Experience working at a visitor destination, especially in security or serving visitors a plus.Customer Service: Ability to communicate with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public and other external sources, in person, in writing or by telephone.Ability to actively listen to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate and not interrupt at inappropriate times.Ability to provide information to supervisors, co-workers and represent the organization to customers, the public and other external sources, in person, in writing or by telephone.Comfortable working in an environment with groups of children.Experience serving diverse audiences of children.Demonstrable experience in working as a member of a team.Strong communications skills with the ability to express ideas clearly in oral communications.A museum background is preferred but not required.Skills and Abilities: A minimum of two years’ experience in security field.An ability and willingness to participate in events outside the workday schedule.Must be available to work evenings and weekends.Compensation: This is a part-time role with an hourly wage rate of $23.32Any employee who holds the F-89 FLS Director Certificate of Fitness shall have their hourly base rate of pay increased by $3.00, when working in that capacity for a minimum of four (4) hoursAdmission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationallyThe advertised pay rate is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors. If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar. Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role. About the Whitney: The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States. Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today. EEO Statement: The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled. The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
Last checked on May 27, 2026. We may earn a commission when you click through.
The part-time Security Officer position at the Whitney offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, though compensation details are not specified.
Security Officer
Whitney Museum of American Art
Updated 2 months agoYou'll be redirected to whitneymuseumofamericanart.applytojob.com
The part-time Security Officer position at the Whitney offers a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, though compensation details are not specified.
About this role
Security Officers are part of the public-facing team and are principally responsible for the safety and security of our visitors and staff. Security Officers contribute to the overall protection of art and aim to prevent any serious art incident.
Security Officers provide security service in the lobby, in the galleries, at the staff entrance, in central and at our art storage facility. On occasion they may be asked to work in locations different from those listed. They assist with the management of visitors.
Reports to Assistant Head Security Officer, Head Security Officer, Security Supervisor, Security Manager, Director of Security.
As part of the Visitor Experience team, Security Officers create a positive environment for the general public and museum members.
Shifts Include Weekends, Overnights, Evenings and Mornings.
Requirements: 8 and 16 hour New York State Certification; promptness; strong customer service skills; ability to stand for long periods and a neat appearance; fire Security Officer experience is required.
General Description:
The Security Officer enforces Museum security regulations for the public as well as the staff. They will Security Officer and patrol an assigned area.
Primary Responsibilities and Duties:
Enforce the Museum rules of conduct for visitorsPatrol designated area in the galleries or lobbyEnsure that the public, the Museum Staff and other outside contractors adhere to certain fundamental rules of security to prevent theft, fire, damage, and personal injuryResponsible for preventing disorder and overcrowdingMonitor and report safety conditionsMonitor CCTV cameras as requiredResponsible for elevator operationCheck packages of persons and/or staff leaving the MuseumResponsible for any other duties as directed by Director of Security or designee.Requirements and Qualifications:
Organizational skills preferredExcellent communication skills preferredBi-Lingual a plusMust be able to stand particularly for sustained periods of time.Respond to First Aid and Emergency SituationsManeuver safely up and down flights of stairs multiple times a round or shift.Must able bend, jump, run and lift about 25 poundsRelationships:
Daily contact with Visitors, Retail, Member Services, Facilities, Education and Visitor Services departmentsConfidentiality:
As required in relation to any sensitive information in relation to safety or securityPrincipal Responsibilities:
Uniformed PositionAssigned to fixed or mobile security post inside or outside the museum.Assists in visitor traffic and crowd control.Monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, or infractions of rules.Assist visitors by providing directions, answering questions.Responds to calls for assistance.Complete other tasks as assigned.Qualifications: Must possess a current NYS Security Officer License.High School Diploma or equivalent required.Knowledge:
Superior communication and customer service skills.Computer literacy a plus.Experience working at a visitor destination, especially in security or serving visitors a plus.Customer Service:
Ability to communicate with people outside the organization, representing the organization to customers, the public and other external sources, in person, in writing or by telephone.Ability to actively listen to what others are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, ask questions as appropriate and not interrupt at inappropriate times.Ability to provide information to supervisors, co-workers and represent the organization to customers, the public and other external sources, in person, in writing or by telephone.Comfortable working in an environment with groups of children.Experience serving diverse audiences of children.Demonstrable experience in working as a member of a team.Strong communications skills with the ability to express ideas clearly in oral communications.A museum background is preferred but not required.Skills and Abilities:
A minimum of two years’ experience in security field.An ability and willingness to participate in events outside the workday schedule.Must be available to work evenings and weekends.Compensation:
This is a part-time role with an hourly wage rate of $23.32Any employee who holds the F-89 FLS Director Certificate of Fitness shall have their hourly base rate of pay increased by $3.00, when working in that capacity for a minimum of four (4) hoursAdmission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationallyThe advertised pay rate is not a promise of a particular wage for any specific employee. The specific compensation offered to a candidate may be dependent on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, the candidate’s experience, education, special licensing or qualifications, and other factors.
If you believe that you could excel in this role, we encourage you to apply. We are dedicated to considering a broad array of candidates. Whether you’re new to arts and culture administration, returning to work after a gap in employment, simply looking to transition, or take the next step in your career path, we will be glad to have you on our radar.
Please use your cover letter to tell us about your interest in the arts and culture space and what you hope to bring to this role.
About the Whitney:
The Whitney Museum of American Art, founded in 1930 by the artist and philanthropist Gertrude Vanderbilt Whitney, houses the foremost collection of American art from the twentieth and twenty-first centuries. From her vision arose the Whitney Museum of American Art, which has been championing the most innovative art of the United States for 86 years. The core of the Whitney’s mission is to collect, preserve, interpret, and exhibit American art of our time and serve a wide variety of audiences in celebration of the complexity and diversity of art and culture in the United States.
Through this mission and a steadfast commitment to artists themselves, the Whitney has long been a powerful force in support of modern and contemporary art and continues to help define what is innovative and influential in American art today.
EEO Statement:
The Whitney Museum of American Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The Museum does not discriminate because of age, sex, religion, race, color, creed, national origin, alienage or citizenship, disability, marital status, pregnancy, partnership status, caregiver status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, genetic information, predisposition, or carrier status, arrest or conviction record to the extent required by applicable law, credit history, domestic violence, sexual violence, or stalking victim status, or any other factor prohibited by law. The Museum hires and promotes individuals solely on the basis of their qualifications for the job to be filled.
The Museum encourages all qualified candidates to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
About the Company
The Whitney Museum of American Art is dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary American art, providing visitors with an engaging cultural experience.
Key Highlights
- ✓ Responsible for the safety of visitors and staff
- ✓ Public-facing role that enhances visitor experience
- ✓ Work in various museum locations including galleries and storage
- ✓ Weekend and flexible shifts available
- ✓ Requires New York State Security Officer Certification
💡 Honest Take: This role is ideal for those with strong customer service skills looking for flexible part-time work, but may not suit those seeking a high-paying position.
Pros
- ✓ Engaging work environment in an art museum
- ✓ Flexibility with shifts including weekends
- ✓ Opportunity to enhance visitor experience
- ✓ Entry-level position with room for growth
Cons
- ✗ Part-time hours may not provide stable income
- ✗ No salary information provided
- ✗ Physical demands can be challenging
- ✗ Requires certification and prior experience
Best For: It's suited for those with prior security experience or those looking to gain entry-level experience in the field.
Watch Out: Be prepared for potential long hours on your feet and the need for a neat appearance at all times.
You'll be redirected to whitneymuseumofamericanart.applytojob.com
Expert Review
The part-time Security Officer role at the Whitney Museum is a unique opportunity for those looking to work in an artistic environment. The position emphasizes visitor safety and requires strong customer service skills. Candidates must hold a valid New York State Security Officer Certification, which can be a barrier for some applicants.
Shifts include weekends, evenings, and overnights, providing flexibility for those balancing other commitments. This role is perfect for individuals who enjoy a public-facing job and have a passion for art. However, potential employees should note that the pay rate is not disclosed, which can be a significant drawback for those relying on predictable income.
While the job contributes to a positive visitor experience at the museum, candidates should be prepared for the physical demands of standing for long periods. Overall, this role offers a vital service to both visitors and staff, making it a fulfilling choice for the right individuals. For more information, visit the Whitney Museum's official job page.
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