"Security Associate"

About the Johnson Museum of Art

The Museum enhances and supports faculty teaching across Cornell's schools and departments by hosting approximately 350 class sessions per academic year in the Museum's galleries and classrooms. Educational outreach programs for the regional community are core to Cornell University's land-grant commitment to public engagement: we serve over 6,000 schoolchildren from schools in a 90-mile radius of Ithaca and offer professional development training for regional teachers, many of whom teach in rural areas and for whom the Museum promotes intercultural understanding and global awareness.

The Opportunity

The Museum Safety Associate supports the safety and security of the Museum's collections, visitors, staff, and facilities through daily patrols, incident reporting, and monitoring of security systems. The role also provides backup visitor services and reception support, assists with classroom and event logistics, and responds to building or facility issues as needed. In addition, the position helps train and mentor volunteers and participates in professional development aligned with Cornell's mission and values.

Safety & Logistics Operations (70%)

• Conduct regular patrols of galleries and public/non-public areas; maintain records of artwork locations and gallery conditions.
• Coordinate with other Museum staff to open and close the museum, following established protocols. Includes activating and monitoring security systems and cameras
• Enter safety incidents into the University Incident Reporting Systems.
• Regularly inspect equipment, such as 2-way radios, detectors, and alarm systems (e.g. battery replacements, logs, blueprints).
• Track and schedule/edit staff coverage calendar as needed.
• Monitor non-museum personnel such as caterers and building care staff.

Visitor Services & Reception (15%)

• Perform back-up visitor services/reception responsibilities as needed. Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
  • greet visitors, provide information, answer questions
  • provide classroom and event assistance to clients and educators, ensuring smooth delivery of tech services and room setup
• Create/update 25Live entries by placing holds on all facility spaces, entering detailed event information, and aligning schedules with the in-house calendar.

Building/Facility support (5%)

• In the absence of the Building Coordinator, handle emergency facility issues, assess problems and call Cornell Facilities customer service, provide overview of situation and answer detailed questions as needed.

Professional Development & Other Duties (10%)

• Participate in training volunteers in gallery responsibilities and the proper techniques of monitoring artwork and visitors. Monitor, guide and mentor the students.
• Participate in projects with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.
• Completion of university required compliance training and position specific security training.
• Seek out and attend professional development opportunities to increase effectiveness and sense of connection to Cornell's mission, vision, and values.
• Position responsibilities may be modified.
• Attend staff meetings.

Hours and Location

The Safety Associate role is a full-time (40-hours/week) role requiring on-site presence at the Johnson Museum of Art. This position follows a flexible work schedule that includes weekdays, evenings, and weekends, and may involve split days off and on-call availability. Shifts vary between the hours of 7:00AM and 8:00PM, as Johnson Museum of Art is a 7-day per week operation.

Success Factors

You are considered competitive for this position if you demonstrate:

• Steady judgment, patience, and a calm presence while supporting the safety and experience of visitors, interns, and staff.
• Clear, reliable communication that keeps the team aligned through timely updates, shared email coordination, and consistent follow-through.
• Strong training and mentoring skills that support student employees/volunteers and contribute to an inclusive, positive learning environment.
• Flexibility and collaboration in a dynamic museum setting, using creative thinking and teamwork to maintain a welcoming, supportive culture.

What We Need

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• High School diploma and related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and exercise good judgment in emergencies or high-pressure situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and respectfully with diverse groups including staff, students, visitors, and external service providers.
• Ability to work independently, follow established protocols.
• Basic technical proficiency with security equipment (e.g., radios, detectors, alarm systems) and comfort learning new software platforms (e.g., event scheduling systems, incident reporting tools).
• Physical ability to patrol galleries and facilities, including alternating between sitting/standing for extended periods and using staircases repeatedly.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

If you have all those things, great! We have a few more things that we would prefer you to have, but it's ok if you don't.

• Prior experience in a museum, cultural institution, or higher education setting.
• Familiarity with 25Live web-based scheduling and calendar system, EHS Incident Reporting, and facilities work order systems.
• Experience liaising with external security providers, law enforcement and/or facilities management teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, resolve visitor concerns, and troubleshoot facility issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and alignment with Cornell's mission, vision, and values.
• Experience with audio visual equipment.

Rewards and Benefits

Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

University Job Title:

Building Security II

Job Family:

Auxiliary Services

Level:

C

Pay Rate Type:

Hourly

Pay Range:

$24.30 - $26.79