Security Assistant Head Guard

General Summary:

Assistant Head Guards are part of the public facing team and are principally responsible for the safety and security of our visitors and staff. Assistant Head Guards contribute to the overall protection of art and aim to prevent any serious art incident. They maintain order on their assigned floors and ensure that the patrolling guards meet Museum standards regarding proper uniform, timely arrivals, relief periods, knowledge of crowd control and evacuation.  As part of the Visitor Experience team, Assistant Head Guards will make sure that the Guard staff creates a positive environment for the general public and museum members. Assistant Head Guards report to the Head Guard, Security Supervisor, Security Manager, and Director of Security

Responsibilities:

• They will forward information regarding unusual occurrences to the Head Guard and assist in the initial investigation including filing complaints, aided cases, lost/found property, art damage, etc.
• They will direct staff and respond to calls on the gallery floors.
• They will make periodic visits to all parts of their assigned floors making sure all Guards are performing their duties properly.
• Responsible for the overall condition of the gallery floor that he/she is assigned to.
• They will observe, direct, report and secure the floors they are assigned to.
• Fill out inspection reports and turn completed forms to the Head Guard at the conclusion of the tour.
• Assign guards to posts on the gallery floor.
• Establish and control all breaks for the Guards.
• Control the flow of visitors on each floor.
• Inspect the floor prior to opening and report any unusual conditions, i.e., art damage, building hazards, etc.
• Act as a liaison between the visitors and the security staff and ensure that the Guards on his/her floor act in a courteous and professional manner.
• Inspect all uniforms to make sure they meet the established standards of the Whitney.
• Patrol designated area in the galleries or lobby.
• Observe and identify any behavioral issues relating to visitors.
• Where possible prevent any accidents from occurring.
• Use walkie-talkie to communicate as necessary.
• They will be the last person leaving the floor at the close of the business day ensuring that the gallery guards have made their final inspection of their posts, and all visitors have left the area. 
• Respond to emergency first aid situations

Supervision:

• Supervises gallery guards as instructed

Relationships:

• Daily contact with Visitors, Retail, Member Services, Facilities, Education and Visitor Services departments

Confidentiality:

• As required in relation to any sensitive information in relation to safety or security

Working Conditions:

• Standing for extended periods of time
• Uniform required to be worn

General Requirements:

• Requirements:  8- and 16-hour New York State Certification
• Fire Safety Director license
• Professional and positive attitude
• Good communication and listening skills
• Works well under pressure
• Must be able to work weekend, holidays, overnight as required        
• Interest in arts and cultural a plus
• Bi-lingual skills a plus

Compensation & Benefits:

• This is a full-time position with an hourly wage of $28.52
• 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.