The posting
How You’ll Contribute
We are always looking for great talent for our Security team. We hire for this role year-round.
The Campus and Experiences division creates and supports inspirational experiences for live audiences and delivers excellent service and operations at National Geographic Society facilities. The division is responsible for our Base Camp headquarters, including all aspects of the Museum of Exploration. This division also produces and generates revenue through National Geographic Live, Speakers Bureau and National Geographic’s Traveling Exhibitions programs.
The Public Safety and Security department is responsible for the overall security and safety of National Geographic’s campus. The department oversees our security policies and procedures, as well as reception, parking, access control and emergency preparedness of the existing office space and the planned public space. Additionally, the team manages global security operations and risk mitigation strategies to safeguard our personnel, assets and travelers around the world.
Our department prides itself on the high level of security it provides, both visible and behind the scenes. This role is far more than standard building security or checking IDs; we are seeking a customer-service-driven Security Officer who acts as a welcoming ambassador for our campus while maintaining vigilant protection.
This unarmed role requires a highly observant, customer-focused professional with a background in physical security or high-volume hospitality. The ideal candidate will possess excellent situational awareness, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to maintain a welcoming environment while upholding strict safety protocols.
The Security Officer, reporting to the Command Center Supervisor, collaborates closely with facilities, museum staff, and event teams to ensure a safe, secure, and seamless environment for the entire National Geographic community. In this position, you will rotate posts across our dynamic, nearly 900,000 square foot campus, including office spaces, courtyards, and museum spaces, supporting day-to-day operations as well as high-profile public and VIP events.
A flexible work schedule is required for this position which includes availability to work days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays.
Your Impact
Responsibilities Include:
Guest Experience, Facility Patrols & Policy Enforcement (50%)
- Serve as a helpful presence for visitors and staff while conducting active patrols across office spaces, outdoor courtyards, and museum galleries using an automated patrol tracking system.
- Deter, detect, and prevent security breaches or safety hazards through keen observation, sound judgment, and prompt reporting.
- Preserve order, enforce campus policies, and support regular and high-profile events with a hospitality-first mindset.
Access Control & Staff/Visitor Screening (30%)
- Operate and monitor security screening systems, walkthrough metal detectors, and handheld wands to ensure all individuals entering designated areas are screened appropriately.
- Maintain a warm, courteous, and professional demeanor during screenings, ensuring safety and compliance without disrupting the employee or visitor experience.
- Perform secondary screening when alerts are triggered, coordinate incident escalation with leadership, and report screening equipment malfunctions promptly.
Emergency Preparedness & Response (20%)
- Respond calmly and efficiently to medical emergencies, safety incidents, and facility crises.
- Perform emergency and rescue functions as needed, maintaining poise under high-stress situations.
- Assume initial command post duties when necessary until a higher-ranking official arrives on scene, and remain on duty during critical emergencies or severe staffing shortages until properly relieved.
What You’ll Bring
Educational Background
- High School diploma or GED equivalent required
- Customer service, hospitality, or security training certifications are a plus
Minimum Years and Type of Experience
- 2+ years of physical security experience or a strong background in high-volume hospitality, venue operations, or customer service paired with security awareness
- Experience in high-traffic public venues, museums, corporate headquarters, or event screening environments is highly valued
Necessary Knowledge and Skills
- Ability to be commissioned as an Unarmed Special Police Officer (SPO) by the District of Columbia within 3 months of hire.
- Exceptional situational awareness to quickly detect and respond to emergencies, paired with the physical capability to stand, walk, and climb stairs for extended periods, especially during screening operations.
- Strong interpersonal and communication skills to interact warmly and professionally with staff, VIPs, and the public, while maintaining high ethical standards, integrity, and sound judgment under pressure.
- Proven ability to thrive in a highly collaborative team environment, communicate effectively across operational hierarchies, and support teammates during event rotations.
Desired Qualifications
- Active DC Unarmed Special Police Officer commission or active security guard license in Washington DC
- Active First Aid, CPR, and AED certifications
- Valid driver’s license
- Prior experience operating building access control systems, visitor management software, CCTV monitors, or screening technologies
- Formal training in guest experience delivery, hospitality management, de-escalation techniques, or crowd control
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 $23.00.
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.
