Security Officer

The Des Moines Art Center is a museum, art school, and sculpture park in Iowa's capital city, welcoming hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. As one of the state's oldest cultural organizations and an American Alliance of Museums-accredited institution, the Art Center is a dynamic employer grounded in public service, collaboration, and meaningful community impact.

Our historic facility, situated within Greenwood Park, features three architecturally significant buildings designed by Eliel Saarinen, I. M. Pei, and Richard Meier, and is home to one of the most prolific collections of 20th- and 21st-century art in the Midwest. Through exhibitions, public programs, and educational experiences, the Art Center connects people with art and ideas, cares for visitors, art, and community, and fosters lifelong learning.

Our commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is central to this work and is reflected across every aspect of our mission and programming.

The Security Officer I of the Des Moines Art Center safeguards and protects all assets, personnel, students, visitors, and guests to its facilities. Concurrent with ensuring a safe environment, this position provides excellent internal and external customer service.

The ideal candidate is attentive to their surroundings, action oriented, and is energized by the prospect of having a positive impact on the Art Center's visitor experience. They communicate calmly and respectfully, remain poised and professional in unexpected or emerging situations, and use best judgement when responding to unfolding events. They are comfortable working as part of a team and are committed to creating a welcoming, safe experience for all who enter the Art Center.

This position reports to managers in the Security and Visitor Experience department and has frequent contact with peers and colleagues in Security and Visitor Experience, Facilities, Installations, Museum Learning and Education, the Museum Shop, and Curatorial departments. Security Officers are in constant contact with museum visitors, docent volunteers, and students of all ages.

• Protection of assets, personnel and visitors
  • Provides security for galleries, public spaces, studios, meeting rooms, offices, storage areas, traffic corridors. Maintains situational awareness at all times to mitigate vulnerabilities, and prevent persons from removing, vandalizing, stealing, or destroying work of art or other museum property.
  • Maintains current knowledge of museum exhibitions and related security considerations for all galleries.
  • Observes artwork and galleries in assigned area of responsibility for condition changes of any kind; promptly reports inconsistencies and potentially harmful conditions such as environmental effects (water leak, humidity, temperature, condensation, etc.) to the Manager on Duty.
  • Responds to emergency calls for assistance, administers first aid and records details of visitor incidents as needed.
• Internal and external customer service
  • Respectfully remind/inform visitors of rules, regulations, and proper conduct while in the museum
  • Generate excitement about and interest in the Art Center by providing visitors information on the Art Center, its programs, and activities.
  • Uphold the Art Center's commitment to inclusivity and accessibility.

• Attends meetings and training programs to maintain current knowledge of Art Center programs and policies.
• Act in ways that reflect favorably on the Art Center and maintains professional standards in the quality of performance and demonstration of concern for the Art Center's collection, programs, and facilities. Adheres to Des Moines Art Center Code of Ethics, Employee Handbook, and other organizational policies.

• Dependability, flexibility, and adaptability, in a dynamically moving and event-driven environment
• Ability to focus on solving conflict, not blaming; maintaining confidentiality; listens to others without interrupting; keeping emotions under control and remaining open to others' ideas and tries new things
• Must be able to solve…