Access Control Officer – Full Time

Baltimore Museum of Art; Baltimore (MD); Hybrid; USD 28,000 - 40,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

403b retirement plan with match

Vacation and holidays

Museum and restaurant discounts

Job summary

The Baltimore Museum of Art seeks a Museum Security Officer to safeguard staff, visitors and priceless artworks. You will manage access control, monitor galleries, and project a professional presence while delivering excellent customer service.

As a full-time, on-site role, you’ll work multiple shifts, including evenings, weekends and holidays. The museum values integrity, teamwork and a calm, courteous approach under pressure.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• High School Diploma or equivalent required; experience in a museum or cultural institution is a plus.
• Experience in security and access control; CCTV knowledge preferred.
• Customer service experience highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Control entry/exit points and verify credentials.
• Operate access control systems and CCTV.
• Maintain a visible security presence to deter theft and protect artworks.
• Assist in opening/closing, events, and installations.
• Provide welcoming, professional interaction with visitors and staff.
• Respond to alarms and security breaches promptly.

Skills

Customer service

Calm under pressure

Security awareness

Access control

Stand/walk long periods

Education

High School Diploma or equivalent

Tools

CCTV systems

Access control systems

Visitor management platforms

Job description

Museum Security – Access Control Officer

The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) seeks an enthusiastic and experienced Museum Security Officer to play a critical role in the safety and security of the museum environment. The ideal candidate will have impeccable communication and customer service skills and will be comfortable managing multiple priorities while working in a fast-paced, team-based environment.

The Baltimore Museum of Art is a world class, internationally recognized museum, recently ranked by the Washington Post as one of the top 20 museums in the United States and has the world’s largest public collection of works by Henri Matisse. The BMA embodies a commitment to artistic excellence and social equity in every decision from art presentation, interpretation, and collecting to the composition of the Board of Trustees, staff, and volunteers - creating a museum welcoming to all. As a highly visible representative of the museum to the public, the BMA Gallery Attendant must be a friendly, collaborative team member with the ability to handle a wide array of relationships and visitor, member, staff and guest needs.

Access Control Officers are responsible for ensuring the secure and controlled movement of people (access control) and property (parcel control) throughout the museum. This role protects staff, visitors, and irreplaceable works of art by enforcing security protocols, monitoring activity, and maintaining a visible, professional presence. Officers are expected to balance security enforcement with a high-quality visitor experience.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Ensure all entry and exit points are properly controlled, including public entrances, staff entrances, and restricted areas.
• Verify credentials, badges, and visitor authorization for access to designated areas.
• Operate access control systems, visitor management platforms, and surveillance equipment (CCTV).
• Ensure strict control over access to galleries, storage areas, conservation labs, and back-of-house spaces.
• Maintain a visible presence to deter theft, vandalism, or unauthorized handling of artwork.
• Assist in safeguarding exhibits during opening/closing, special events, and installations.
• Provide a welcoming, professional, and helpful presence to visitors, staff, and stakeholders.
• Answer general questions and provide directions within the museum.
• Ensure security procedures are enforced in a respectful, non-confrontational manner.
• Respond promptly and appropriately to alarms, emergencies, or security breaches.
• Ensure adherence to museum security policies, access protocols, and safety regulations.
• Coordinate with Security teams, Visitor Experience, curators, facilities staff, and event coordinators.
• Ability and willingness to work mandatory overtime, various shifts including days, evenings, nights weekends and holidays based on operational needs.

This full-time, non-exempt positions report to the Security Managers and Director of Security.

REQUIREMENTS

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• High School Diploma or professional experience equivalent
• Experience in a museum or cultural institution a plus.
• Prior experience in security and access control, knowledge of CCTV and access control systems preferred.
• Customer service experience highly desirable
• Ability to remain calm and professional under pressure
• Applicants must be able to stand/walk for long periods of time
• Basic computer skills
• Ability to obtain a State of Maryland Security Officer License

BENEFITS

The Baltimore Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We offer a competitive salary and a generous benefits package. For this exempt position we offer medical, dental, vision, prescription, 403b retirement plan with match, long term disability, flexible spending account, flexible and condensed scheduling, museum and restaurant discounts, and reduced fee gym membership. We also offer accrued vacation, holidays, personal days, floating holidays, and sick days.

This position is a bargaining unit position.

SALARY

$24.58 per hour