Security Officer (Flex Shift)

How You’ll Contribute

The National Geographic Society headquarters, based in Washington, D.C., is undergoing a significant renovation project on its campus (called Base Camp), which will be completed in 2026. The public-facing portion of this renovation will be the new National Geographic Museum of Exploration. Components of the new museum will include a state-of-the-art pavilion entrance, auditorium, iconic photo gallery, exhibition space, immersive walk-through attraction, retail, food and beverage, education center, archives, tours, and exciting new event space. The capstone of the renovation is a one-of-a-kind nighttime experience in the courtyard.

Our department prides itself on the high level of security it provides, both visible and behind the scenes. Your job as a Security Officer is to deter crime by your mere presence via regular patrols, acute attention to detail, reasonable sound judgment and prompt communication of security breaches or concerns. Your main job will be to provide top-quality security for employees, guests, and assets, including screening station duties, entry points, patrols, and emergency response. A high level of enthusiasm, attention to detail, and a welcoming attitude are essential.. A flexible work schedule is required for this position which includes working 3 shift variations which may include, days, evenings, nights, weekends, holidays, reporting for duty at short notice, and overtime.

Your Impact

Responsibilities Include:

• Observe and report safety concerns, security breaches and unusual circumstances while performing self-inspections of secure facilities, evaluate findings and take corrective action. As an SPO you are expected to deter, detect, and prevent incidents in a professional manner. You must preserve order and act to enforce policies and procedures. Hourly building patrols using an automated patrol tracking system will be required which includes walking on uneven surfaces and climbing of stairs. (50%)

• Respond to calls for emergency matters. Perform rescue functions involving accidents, emergencies and disasters. During high stress situations you are to maintain poise during crisis situations and handle them calmly and efficiently. You may have to assume an initial command post; may be required to act as on-scene commander until such time a higher-ranking official arrives on scene. You are expected to stay over to help the Security team during times of emergencies and staff shortages until properly relieved by your Supervisor(20%)

• Operate and monitor security screening systems to ensure all individuals entering designated areas are screened appropriately. Maintain a professional and courteous demeanor while conducting screenings, ensuring safety and compliance without disrupting visitor experience. Perform secondary screening if alerts are triggered and coordinate with supervisors for incident escalation as needed. Maintain screening equipment responsibly and report malfunctions or irregularities promptly. (30%)

Minimum Education Required

High School diploma

Minimum Years and Type of Experience

• Must have a minimum 2 years of physical security experience.

• Military, Law Enforcement, and security experience (particularly in high-traffic public venues or screening environments) are preferred

Necessary Knowledge and Skills

• Certifications and Experience: Must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to be commissioned as an Unarmed Special Police Officer by the District of Columbia within 1 month of hire. Prior experience with access building control systems and familiarity with walkthrough metal detectors, handheld wands, or other screening technologies are preferred.

• Situational Awareness: Must be keenly alert at all times to see, hear, and smell in order to respond to alarms and detect emergency situations, alerting all employees and other team members to possible threats or situations requiring immediate attention.

• Physical Demands: Must be able to perform essential functions of the position, which may include long periods of sitting, walking, standing, and climbing stairs. Must be able to stand for extended periods, especially during screening operations.

• Professional and Interpersonal Skills: Possess excellent and effective written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to deal with all levels of personnel and the general public.

• Conduct and Character: Must demonstrate integrity and ethical behavior, acting with honesty in all situations. This role requires being self-motivated and having the ability to take ownership of one’s duties.

• Teamwork: The ability to be a team player is a must, respecting teamwork dynamics and collaborating effectively with colleagues. A strong attention to detail is required for accurate reporting and observation.

Supervision

No direct reports

Salary Information

The National Geographic Society offers a competitive and holistic total rewards package. Our compensation structure and transparent pay philosophy are based on industry-specific market data for similar-sized nonprofit organizations.

The salary range for this position accounts for a wide range of factors including but not limited to organizational need; specific skill sets; experience and training; certifications; and more. At the National Geographic Society, individuals are typically hired at or near the starting point of the salary range for their role, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.

The hourly rate for this position is $21.60. Employees in positions who are assigned to a shift that starts or ends between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. are entitled to shift differential pay of 10% of base pay for the hours worked between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

In addition, the National Geographic Society offers a competitive and comprehensive benefits package that includes, but is not limited to, medical, dental, and vision insurance; engaging and comprehensive wellness program; 401(k) retirement savings plan with matching contributions after 6 months of employment; flexible paid time off benefits with up to 22 days of paid annual leave per calendar year (15 days for new hires in their first year, prorated based on the number of pay periods remaining in the year) and 10 days of sick leave; 12 paid holidays and a paid winter break between December 25 and 31 (May not apply to all roles that are required to work during high volume seasons or essential workers. Please check with the hiring manager for confirmation.); paid parental leave, adoption and surrogacy expense reimbursement, fertility benefits; learning and development opportunities; Lifestyle Spending Account; pet adoption assistance and insurance; pre-tax transportation benefits with a generous employer subsidy; employer-paid life insurance and disability benefit; and a variety of National Geographic discounts and perks.

Job Designation

On-Site - Staff members who spend 100% of work time on-site at Base Camp, supporting overall campus and museum operations. On-Site staff shifts (spread over seven days a week and 24 hours a day, including holidays) are scheduled by their supervisors and determined by team needs and may be adjusted based on cyclical work cycles and ebbs and flows of work throughout the year.

Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

We encourage you to apply even if your experience is not a 100% match with the position. We are looking for someone with relevant skills and experience, not a checklist that exactly matches the job description. We want to help you grow and in return, you help us grow into a stronger, more inclusive organization.