Safety and Security Supervisor

About Dia Art Foundation

Located in Beacon, New York, Dia Beacon presents Dia Art Foundation’s renowned collection of art from the 1960s to the present as well as special exhibitions, new commissions, and educational and public programs. Occupying a former box-printing factory on the banks of the Hudson River, the contemporary art museum spans nearly 300,000 square feet and features installations of works by some of the most significant artists of the last half-century. 

Position summary

The Safety and Security Supervisor is part of Dia Beacon’s public-facing leadership team. They are responsible for the oversight and management of the Security team and principally accountable for the safety of our visitors and employees as well as the protection of Dia’s art collection and campus. 

The Safety and Security Supervisor oversees and mentors the Security team during day-to-day operations and ensures they are well-trained in security protocols and customer service, maintaining a positive, welcoming environment for visitors and employees. The ideal candidate for this position is an emotionally intelligent leader with a supportive approache to personnel; they are able to manage incremental changes and demonstrate a comfort in nuanced, people-first environments.

Reporting to the Chief Operating Officer and working closely with the Visitor Services and Facilities Managers, the Safety and Security Supervisor initiates improvements to existing policies and procedures in alignment with best practices and coordinates health and safety trainings for staff. 

The Safety and Security Supervisor promotes interdepartmental relations and provides security and customer-service assistance to all museum departments. The position requires sensitivity to the unique nature of a contemporary art institution and the ability to coordinate and cooperate with multiple departments on both open-to-visitors and closed days as well as during programs and special events.

This position’s schedule is Thursday to Monday (Tuesday and Wednesday off).

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Supervise the Security team, including training, scheduling, and payroll
• Mentor the Security team, including providing ongoing constructive feedback and professional coaching on both individual performance and professional development as well as procedural improvements
• Facilitate excellent communication between Safety and Security and other teams, including Visitor Services, Facilities, and Exhibitions; lead collaborative initiatives and projects
• Maintain security protocols and, with other managers, the emergency action plan (EAP), continually updating as needed; attend supplemental trainings and webinars and pass along information to the team
• Create and implement an annual training plan for the team on the EAP, de-escalation practices, customer service, and other best practices; ensure compliance with New York State license and training requirements
• Support Visitor Services Managers and staff with de-escalation, visitor management, and accessibility assistance while maintaining a professional demeanor and courteous communication  
• Train Visitor Services and other staff on EAP procedures, coordinate fire drills and plan CPR/First Aid training; provide additional trainings in de-escalation and customer service, as needed
• Respond to and professionally handle all safety emergencies and incidents, working with other managers as needed; act as a point of contact for visitors and staff, providing direction, and taking appropriate action according to the EAP
• Document all incidents related to the safety and security of visitors, staff, and institutional assets and assist in their investigation
• Promptly report all incidents, violations, and safety concerns to senior management and Human Resources when appropriate
• Ensure consistency in the execution of facility safety procedures, including opening and closing the campus
• Supervise the delivery system in conjunction with the Facilities department; ensure proper delivery protocols, maintain shipping and receiving logs, and effectively communicate with various departments about packages and parcels
• Supervise the parking area, including traffic flow; direct visitors, staff, deliveries, buses/tours/groups entering the museum; and manage staff parking passes
• Monitor the closed-circuit video and security system and manage staff access cards
• Provide informed recommendations to senior management on security-related operations and advocate for Security staff’s needs and support

Other duties and responsibilities

• Inform Facilities department of needed repairs, leaks, power outages, and other extenuating circumstances
• Assists in artwork handling and protection as necessary
• Provide assistance to museum visitors by answering questions, giving directions to local venues, and suggesting travel routes

Education, certifications, and experience

• Current New York State Security Guard license
• Certifications in CPR, AED, and First Aid by the American Heart Association
• Minimum three years of safety and security experience in a museum, retail, or other customer-service environment; experience with a cultural institution preferred
• Minimum two years of supervisory experience; experience with personnel development and mentorship
• Demonstrable experience in collaborative leadership approaches within a team and cross-departmentally

Knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Possess excellent customer-service skills and enthusiasm for the role
• Ability to communicate effectively and interact with staff and visitors in a professional,  diplomatic manner
• Availability for a full-time schedule of Thursday to Monday (with Tuesday and Wednesday off), including most holidays
• Computer literacy and report-writing skills; detail-oriented
• Knowledge of museums, contemporary art, or cultural organizations a plus

Working conditions and physical demands

• Standing and walking for long periods of time
• Using handheld radios to communicate
• Working outdoors in various weather conditions
• Must be able to lift and carry up to 40 lb.
• Must be capable of performing light maintenance, such as cleaning windows, removing debris from gallery floors, and occasionally assisting with furniture setup for special events

Qualified candidates are invited to apply by completing the online job application, linked here, and attaching a resume and letter of interest.  

Dia Art Foundation is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, color, national origin, ethnic origin, citizenship status, disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law in its employment policies. In addition, Dia will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and supports an equitable, inclusive, and neurodiverse workplace.