Security Officer

About the Academy

The Academy of Natural Sciences was founded in 1812 for "the encouragement and cultivation of the sciences". Since then, it has sponsored global expeditions, conducted pioneering environmental and systematics research, and amassed remarkable collections containing more than 18 million specimens from around the world and a peerless library and archive. Since 2011 its academic enterprise has been further strengthened through its affiliation with nearby Drexel University – a leading private non-profit research institution that focusses on innovation and entrepreneurship and provides a unique cooperative education program for its undergraduate and graduate degree students.

Today the Academy is one of the most important natural science institutions in the world. However, the world is changing fast and the Academy – directed by its Strategic Plan 2019-24 - is changing with it. Over the next five years the Academy will become a “force for nature” and advance its mission: “to understand the natural world and inspire everyone to care for it”. In so doing the Academy will build on its fundamental belief that diversity and inclusion generates better ideas, inspires creativity, and is essential to building a positive workplace so that in time it can become an institution that is of, by and for all Philadelphians.

Job Summary

The Full-time Security Guard position at the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University is primarily responsible for covering the building’s primary staff/administrative entrance, or the museum’s main entrance and Includes walking patrol duties. The expected work hours are from 7:30 am - 4:00 pm, Wednesday - Sunday. This position requires the ability to act quickly, decisively, and calmly in a crisis situation, and reporting to the Security Chief. Flexibility is a must as the duties are ever- evolving and may sometimes entail taking charge of situations in the absence of the Security Chief or Senior Director.

Essential Functions

• Assisting in the deployment of part time and contracted security officers during museum open hours.
• Assisting in the review and investigation of various types of incidents.
• Acting as a security screen (ie. monitoring lobby activity and processing visitors)
• Providing occasional on-call availability to address staffing shortages and building emergencies.
• Monitoring fire alarms, access control and surveillance systems
• Acting as a first responder for medical, operations, and other emergencies
• Performing building patrols to assure a safe and secure environment
• Handling crowd control
• Providing information to visitors and callers
• Competently representing the department at meetings or on committees
• Conducting daily fire and safety inspections
• Reporting of accidents and other unusual occurrences
• Maintaining sign in logs
• Covering occasional alternative work schedules
• Performing daily walk-though of building, including stairways and mechanical spaces
• Frequent report-writing via electronic forms
• Daily use of Windows-based programs
• Occasionally performing administrative functions on the access control system in the absence of the Security Chief (additional training will be provided)
• Occasionally acting as primary contact between the Academy and its security/safety service contractors in the absence of the Security Chief
• Acquiring extensive safety training including CPR, First Aid and AED
• Occasional exposure to areas with moving machinery
• Occasional exposure to chemical handling areas
• Other responsibilities as assigned by Security Chief or the Sr. Director of Technology and Infrastructure

Required Qualifications

• Minimum of a High School Diploma or GED
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Work in a museum environment

Physical Demands

• Typically sitting at a desk/table
• Typically standing, walking
• Lifting demands <25lbs

Location

Center City, Philadelphia PA

Additional Information

This position is classified as Non Exempt with a salary grade of F. For more information regarding Drexel’s Professional Staff salary structure, https://drexel.edu/hr/career/ducomp/salstructure/

Please review the Benefits Brochure for some information on our benefits offerings.

Special Instructions to the Applicant

Please make sure you upload your CV/resume and cover letter when submitting your application.

Review of applicants will begin once a suitable candidate pool is identified.