Chief Security and Safety Officer

New York Historical Society
life insurance, paid time off, 403(b), retirement plan
United States, New York, New York
170 Central Park West (Show on map)
Jan 18, 2025
JOB TITLE: Chief Security and Safety Officer DEPARTMENT: Security REPORTS TO: President & CEO ABOUT THE NEW YORK HISTORICAL New York's first museum, The New York Historical is a leading cultural institution documenting over 400 years of American history through a peerless collection of art, documents, and artifacts. Our offerings span groundbreaking exhibitions; acclaimed educational programs for teachers and students nationwide; and thought-provoking conversations among leading scholars, journalists, and thinkers about the past, present, and future of the American experiment. The New York Historical is a museum of museums and a collection of collections. We are home to the Patricia D. Klingenstein Library, the Center for Women's History, the Reiss Family Graduate Institute for Constitutional History, the Dorothy Tapper Goldman Center for Teaching Democracy, the DiMenna Children's History Museum, and the future American LGBTQ+ Museum. We elevate the perspectives and scholarship that define the United States' democratic heritage and challenge us all to shape our ongoing history for the better. JOB SUMMARY The Chief Security and Safety Officer (CSSO) is responsible for the overall security and safety of the museum, its visitors, staff, and collections. The CSSO develops, implements, and oversees comprehensive security strategies, training, emergency response protocols, and safety measures. Leading a team of in-house and external guards, the CSSO coordinates with Public Programs, Visitor Services, Education, and other departments to ensure staff remain trained in response protocols for disruptions, emergencies, and high-risk situations. This individual will also be responsible for protecting valuable collections and always ensuring public and staff safety. This role will require availability on nights and weekends based on event and programming needs, and on-call availability in emergency situations. ESSENTIAL JOB DUTIES Institution-Wide Security Protocol Development: Establish and enforce security protocols for all public events and daily operations, including Standard Operating Procedures for handling disruptive guests and safeguarding collections. Conduct regular risk assessments and ensure security systems are updated and functioning efficiently. Ensure the safety and well-being of visitors and staff by enforcing appropriate security protocols and safety measures. Develop and implement visitor management systems, including crowd control and visitor screening procedures. Risk Management & Response: Identify and assess potential security and safety risks to the museum and its operations. Work with Operations Department to maintain a secure environment, including lighting, locking systems, and surveillance technologies. Serve as the primary decision-maker for incidents requiring intervention. Coordinate removal procedures with local law enforcement when necessary. Ensure that all incidents are properly documented and reviewed. Cross-Departmental Training and Drills: Lead cross-department training on security protocols, including scenario-based drills to prepare staff for disruptions, medical emergencies, evacuation procedures, and high-risk situations. Real-Time Coordination During Events: Ensure real-time communication between all departments during events to ensure smooth operations and swift intervention when necessary. Emergency Preparedness: Develop and implement emergency response plans for various types of incidents and evacuation procedures, ensuring staff are properly trained and prepared. This includes coordinating with local emergency services when needed. Conduct regular safety audits and inspections to ensure compliance with relevant safety regulations and standards. Ensure all safety equipment, such as alarms, extinguishers, and emergency lighting, are in working order and compliant with regulations. Review, supervise and upgrade (when necessary) security throughout the institution to address both current and future security environments. Evaluate and provide recommendations to close security gaps and vulnerabilities with an emphasis on incident mitigation versus reaction. Collections Protection: Work closely with relevant departments to ensure the safety and security of museum and library collections, both during exhibitions and in storage, ensuring compliance with all relevant security standards. Leadership: Provide direct leadership to the Security Team by setting, communicating, and modeling standards of performance and professionalism, developing and maintaining a high level of credibility and work ethic with management and staff, and demonstrating consistently sound judgment. Act as a trusted advisor, build and maintain relationships with senior management leaders to develop a keen understanding of security needs, and respond with agility to changing institution priorities. Establish departmental performance goals, objectives, and operating procedures. Direct continuous improvement of the security staff, equipment, and procedures to maintain pace with technological and industry changes, as well as organizational and visitor needs. REQUIREMENTS Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Emergency Management, or a related field; Minimum of ten years leading security management, preferably within a cultural institution, or other large public venue; Strong knowledge of museum security standards, risk management, and emergency preparedness; Proven leadership and management experience, including team development and performance oversight; Familiarity with advanced security technologies, including surveillance systems, access control, and emergency communication tools; Demonstrated experience creating and training individuals; Experience interacting with law enforcement, emergency services, and other agencies; Strong interpersonal communication, and problem-solving skills; Ability to remain calm and effective in high-pressure situations; Prior law enforcement experience preferred. PHYSICAL DEMANDS The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee with or without accommodation, to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. This individual will need to provide physical inspection throughout the facility and other off-site locations, which may involve walking, climbing stairs, bending, and moving through different types of environments. In emergency situations, a quick response may be necessary which could include a level of physical exertion. Visual and auditory acuity is necessary. COMPENSATION & BENEFITS The expected salary range for this position is $135,000-$150,000. The successful candidate will be offered a salary within this range based on specific factors such as their individual qualifications, experience, and internal equity considerations. The New York Historical provides a generous benefits package for eligible employees to support their health and wellbeing, which includes: Paid time off, including vacation, sick and personal days, and holidays observed by the Museum; Medical, dental, vision and life insurance; Short and long-term disability coverage options; 403(b) retirement plan with eligibility for employer contributions following one year of full-time service; Flexible spending accounts for health-related expenses, dependent care, and parking and transit expenses; Employee Assistance Program for all employees and their families; 20% discount at the NYHistory Store; Free admission to various museums and cultural institutions across the city. COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY To ensure the overall health and safety of The New York Historical community, all newly hired employees of New York Historical are required to be fully-vaccinated with an FDA or WHO approved vaccine against COVID-19 as a condition of employment, absent qualifying exemptions for medical, religious, or other reasons in accordance with all applicable laws. Research shows that women and people from underrepresented groups often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that someone meets 100% of the qualifications for a role. If much of this job description describes you, then please apply for this role. The New York Historical is an Equal Opportunity Employer.