About Our Organization

Founded in 1968, The Studio Museum in Harlem is a cultural leader that champions and preserves the prolific legacy of artists of African descent while simultaneously promoting critical thinking about art, culture, and community. Born out of an urgent need amid the political, social, and cultural ferment of the late 1960s, the Studio Museum was founded to create a new paradigm in which institutionally ignored artists of color would be seen, discussed, rewarded, and made known to the public. Today, the Studio Museum continues to serve as the nexus for Black artists locally, nationally, and internationally, and for work inspired and influenced by Black culture.

Job Summary

The Associate Director of Security is responsible for the overall operation of safety and security in both the museum building and in our administrative office spaces. This position will report to the Director of Building Operations and Safety and will work in partnership with our Lead Building Engineer, as well as with senior leadership. This person will lead a team of 20 staff members, with a current staff roster of eight guards and growing toward 20 security officers over the next 6-12 months. This is an on-call 24-hour role which includes providing security coverage, the management and oversight of all guards, the monitoring of life safety equipment, and all safety and security systems within our new museum building.

The overarching objective of this position is to protect the museum property, its staff, and all museum visitors. This requires building a high-performance culture marked by open and effective communication within and across the departments and in providing best-in-class services to our institution’s internal and external constituents and to our patrons alike. An important challenge for this role will be hiring and training new staff in a short period of time. A welcoming attribute of this role is having a group of 7-8 current security staff who have worked for the Studio Museum collectively for over 10-plus years.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Leads and coaches the security team comprised of 20 security officers, develops security shift schedules, and manages payroll and timesheets for all security staff, including outsourced guard vendor’s billing/invoices and their weekly timesheets.
Write/implement security post orders and details for all museum guards.
Assists in managing the building’s security systems including but not limited to keycard/swipe access control, silent alarms, motion detectors and sensors, and all main entrance/exit doors plus locks.
Manage all Fire Safety Director (FSD) guards and maintain the Fire Command Station (FSC) fire alarm equipment, including but not limited to reporting any deficiencies with the Vespa system, smoke detectors, horns/strobes, manual pull-stations, stairs, exits/egress ways, interior/exterior doors and locks, roof and terrace lighting and FCS equipment, among other fire and life safety duties as they may arise.
Work with direct supervisor in securing a 3rd party vendor to provide preventative maintenance of all Security equipment; oversight of all work related to the repair of CCTV/cameras and video monitoring systems, the fire alarm, and security intrusion systems (i.e., silent alarms, motion sensors, etc.).
As a member of the Emergency Response Team, responds to building security alerts, ensuring proper response is undertaken and proper security system operation is maintained.
Provides a high level of integrated threat analysis and advise senior leadership on best practices.
Gathers credible threat intelligence and risks to the museum and directly support risk-based decision-making and develop mitigation or resolution strategies.
Influences and improves existing processes through innovation and operational change, staying abreast crowd control procedures, and arranging for third-party supplemental security.
Partners with the Director of Building Operations, Lead Building Engineer, the Director of Collections and Exhibitions, and the Director and Chief Curator (of the Studio Museum) to take steps to reduce the risk of a loss or damage to any artwork in the museum’s collection, or on loan of artwork to the museum.
Maintains compliance for all applicable building safety codes.
Coordinates required inspections for all facilities life safety equipment and operating systems as per City, State and Federal regulatory agencies.
Regularly surveys the building (interior and exterior) with the Director of Building Operations and with the Lead Engineer to identify security, alarm, fire protection and other life-safety concerns and recommends corrective action.
Develops and maintains security and fire protection protocols, including evacuation plans, security operation manuals, accident and incident reports, fire and natural disaster plans, and related materials.
Establishes regular training programs for security staff to comply with all OSHA and health and safety standards; participate in emergency response planning, testing and implementation.
Maintains positive relationships with law enforcement and local NYPD (28th Precinct), and attend monthly community affairs meetings hosted by the 28th Precinct
Meets regularly with the Curatorial, Collections and Exhibition, and Learning & Engagement (ETW program) departments plus AIR (artist-in-residence) in addressing all their security concerns.
Assists and performs Loss and Prevention audits and investigations including but not limited to artwork and artifacts belonging to the museum, to include loaned artwork from other entities, and art that results from our artist-in-residence (AIR) program while in our possession.
Monitors the use of the museum’s Loading Dock in ensuring risk assessment protocols are being followed for all in/out artwork by our Collections team, our security officers, and by outsourced truck-delivery vendors.
Ensures ample guard coverage during after-hours events held by our Development department, to include Marketing and Communications events plus the use of rentable space to outside constituents.
Assist in coordinating guard coverage with our Collections and Exhibition plus Curatorial department especially during the prepping of walls and floors in all galleries by our Facilities team, during both deinstallation and installation of artwork, as necessary.
Be on call 24-hr/7-days for building/security emergencies.
Performs other duties as assigned by direct supervisor and its supervisor and by other Studio Museum senior leadership team (SLT) members and senior staff.

Management

Manages the department’s Security budget and Identifies ways to reduce costs while maintaining the highest standards of operation.
Maintains relationship and requisite paperwork with FDNY, Department of Buildings, and other compliance agencies that may impact the museum building.
Maintains relationship with local law enforcement and in particular with the 28th Precinct as well as the local (FDNY) firemen ladder/engine house.
Enlists and recommends outsourced security vendors to cover at the museum during normal and non-normal business hours.
Stays abreast of current events and potential threats that may impact the Museum; communicates with supervisor and senior leadership and makes appropriate mitigation/recommendations as needed.
Network with Museum facility administrators at other cultural institutions; participate in professional organizations relevant to the field.
Promote an environment that encourages cooperation, collaboration, and professional development.
Provides leadership, training and coaching to ensure staff provide a high level of customer service and communication with other Museum staff.
Sound understanding of, and experience in handling, crises and establishing failsafe emergency plans and procedures.
Making diversity a productive value in the workforce.

Skills And Qualifications

Experience leading change, developing processes, implementing procedures, and working collaboratively across organizations to achieve desired outcomes.
Experienced with crowd control during large gatherings and special events as well as all fire safety drills and documentation for a museum building, as well as public assembly.
Strong knowledge of New York City building code and accessibility guidelines preferred.
Ability to converse technically with engineers and facilities staff team regarding (building/office) security systems and FLSD equipment.
Experience working with the City of New York’s Department of Buildings and FDNY and knowledge of NFPA is a plus.
Experience with metal detectors and hand-held wand devices.
Knowledge of principles and practices of federal, New York State and NYC law, code compliance, and regulations, including but not limited to OSHA, ADA, the Department of Health, and other local/state/federal regulations that pertain to public assembly (museum) facilities.

Education And Experience

10-plus years of experience in security management, including 3-5 years of leadership experience, preferably in an art related non-profit organization or a museum.
A degree is not required – Equivalent work experience is expected. Certifications are required for this role.

Certifications and Trainings

8-hr and 16-hr guard classes plus a valid/active NYS guard’s license certificate
AED and CPR certification
OSHA training: requires 30-hr of training in building safety
Public Assembly (see CoF below)
Certificate of Fitness and Fire & Life Safety training and certification:
F03- Public Assembly
F-60 Fire guard/torch
FLSD issued by FDNY (a plus)
S-13 Sprinklers/citywide
S-14 Standpipe/citywide
S-81 Dry Chemical Fire extinguishing
S-95 Supervision of Fire Alarm Systems
Fire Brigade – this role is an active brigade member during their employment.

Work Environment

This position is considered an exempt position for purposes of federal wage and hour law, which means that you will not be eligible for overtime pay for hours in excess of 40 in a given workweek.
Fast-paced environment with varying levels of guests and employees present.
Building Accessibility – office locations are wheelchair accessible, with elevators in the building. Other accessibility accommodations can be further discussed.
Office desks include acrylic partitions, and the Museum adheres to COVID-19 safety guidelines as mandated by New York City and State.

Compensation

$80,000 - $90,000 annually

Salary is commensurate with experience within the guidelines of a small not-for-profit. A competitive benefits package is provided, including medical, dental, life and long-term disability insurance, a retirement account, and substantial vacation time.

Application Instructions

Please upload your resume, cover letter, and a writing sample to your application. No phone calls or faxes, please.

Please note that while careful consideration will be given to each submission, the Museum will only be able to contact those applicants whose knowledge, skills, and work experience best fit the requirements of the position.

The Studio Museum in Harlem is an equal opportunity employer and considers all candidates for employment regardless of race, color, sex, age, gender identification, national origin, creed, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or political affiliation. We celebrate our inclusive work environment and encourage folks of all backgrounds and perspectives to apply. At the Studio Museum, we are committed to having an inclusive and transparent environment where every voice is heard and acknowledged. We embrace our differences, and know that our diverse team is a strength that drives our success.

Research shows that women and individuals from underrepresented backgrounds often apply to jobs only if they meet 100% of the qualifications. We recognize that it is highly unlikely that an applicant meets 100% of the qualifications for a given role. Therefore, if much of this job description describes you, then you are highly encouraged to apply for this role.

Studio Museum in Harlem

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Associate Director of Security