Head Guard, Full-Time

The Position

The Security Supervisor is part of the public facing team and is principally responsible for the safety and security of our visitors and staff. The Security Supervisor contributes to the overall protection of art and aims to prevent any serious art incident. They oversee the daily floor operations of the Guard force and ensure proper conduct of the Officers and the Assistant Security Supervisors.  As part of the Security team, the Supervisor makes sure that the Guard staff creates a positive environment for the general public and museum members. The Security Supervisor Reports to the Director of Security, Security Manager/ Assistant Security Manager and works with the Security Coordinator.

Successful candidates will bring customer service experience and enthusiasm; demonstrated leadership in a team environment; personnel and operational management; and attention to detail in this key public facing role.

Successful candidates possess exceptional leadership skills in a team environment and have previous experience managing staff in retail, sales, or other customer service environment. They are excellent communicators, have demonstrated experience in written and verbal communication.

The Security Supervisor works a full-time schedule, aligned with Museum operations. Evenings and holidays are required.

Your Safety

At the Whitney, we believe that security is not only about protecting physical assets but also about ensuring the safety and dignity of our visitors, staff, and other audiences.  Guards are responsible for following our Code of Ethics and other related policies, for bringing violations to the attention of Security leadership, and for demonstrating integrity and professionalism as part of their jobs.  The safety and security of our staff and visitors are our top priority. Our operational plans are in line with CDC and state guidance on reducing transmission of Covid-19 and are reviewed on an ongoing basis with an outside medical expert. Public-facing staff are issued PPE daily. 

Responsibilities: 

• Manages a team focused on providing excellent and consistent customer service throughout the Museum
• Records all unusual occurrences and assists in the initial investigation including complaints, aided cases, lost/found property, art damage, respond to emergency first aid situations, etc
• Manage and trains the Assistant Security Supervisor on opening and closing procedures, and mentoring through ongoing and constructive feedback and coaching to direct reports regarding both individual performance and professional development
• Respond to calls on the gallery floors.
• Assist in routine training of the officers including post training as developed by the Director of Security.
• Oversee and train the Assistant Security Supervisor in closing procedures.
• Conducts roll calls and assists in preparing roll calls to properly secure the galleries.
• Observe conditions throughout the Museum.
• Multiple routine patrol of the floors
• Monitors all Guard’s performances
• Patrol designated areas in the galleries or lobby.
• Provide supervision to the Officers at the staff entrance, Central and at the art storage facility, when necessary.
• Observes and identifies any behavioral issues relating to visitors.
• Where possible, prevent accidents from occurring.
• Monitors CCTV cameras as required
• Oversees the floor evacuations during an emergency
• Address and review any disciplinary issues concerning staff with Director, Security Manager
• Oversee the arrival of non-educational visitor groups

Managerial Duties

• Provide logistical support and serve as manager-on-duty during Museum operating hours
• Serve as manager-on-duty during after-hours member events particularly during opening and closing of major exhibitions
• Perform daily opening and closing procedures
• Partner with the Managers of Visitor and Member Experience to operate the museum

Requirements

• Full-time schedule of Thursday-Monday (Tuesdays and Wednesdays off), with Friday and Saturday evenings and holiday hours required
• Minimum of 3-4 years public-facing security experience in a sales-oriented environment
• 2 or more years of team leadership experience
• Genuine Interest in public-facing customer service interactions
• Ability to develop customer relations
• Professional communication skills by phone, email, and in-person
• Works well under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Good judgment, and proven problem-solving skills
• Working knowledge of a Microsoft Office Suite or comparable software
• Interest in art and non-profit management preferred
• BA preferred, but not required
• Bi-lingual a plus
• Interest in visual art a plus

Compensation & Benefits:

• This is a full-time position with an hourly wage of $27.72
• Medical, Dental, Vision, 403(B) elections
• Generous PTO benefits
• Commuter benefits - parking and mass transit
• Admission to world-renowned museums across the city and nationally
• Pet insurance and discounted membership for Citibike

The 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.

Not sure you meet 100% of our qualifications? Research shows that men apply for jobs when they meet an average of 60% of the criteria. Yet, women and other people who are systematically marginalized tend to only apply if they meet every requirement. 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, including those with diverse workplace experiences and backgrounds. 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, partnership status, veteran status, gender (including gender identity), sexual orientation, 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. This description shall not be construed as a contract of any sort for a specific period of employment.