Executive Protection Specialist- Johns Hopkins Health System

Johns Hopkins Medicine; Baltimore (MD); On-site; USD 90,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Johns Hopkins Health System is seeking an Executive Protection Specialist to join the Executive Security Program within Public Safety. The EPS protects senior leadership, including Presidents of JHU, JHHS, and JHM and their spouses, blending real-time operations with advance planning and threat intelligence.

Reporting to the Deputy Chief, Investigations, the EPS leads close protection assignments locally and nationally, coordinates internal and vendor teams, and participates in threat briefings

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of law enforcement, military, or executive protection experience.
• Experience in high-threat or international executive protection preferred.
• Experience supporting university executives, corporate leaders, or government dignitaries preferred.
• Strong situational awareness and defensive driving capabilities.
• Familiarity with protective intelligence tools and travel risk platforms.
• Exceptional discretion and integrity.
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and rapidly assess evolving threats.
• Proficiency with GPS navigation, secure communication tools, and intelligence systems.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Protect designated executives as principal transportation officer, ensuring safe, discreet travel.
• Conduct advance security assessments for meetings, events, and engagements.
• Identify alternate routes, secure parking, and staging areas based on threat intel.
• Maintain superior situational awareness and defensive driving standards.
• Provide real-time threat reporting and intelligence integration.
• Lead internal and vendor close protection teams and coordinate coverage.
• Support residence protection operations as required.
• Submit detailed post-mission reports, site surveys, and threat documentation.
• Participate in weekly threat briefings and SOP development.

Skills

Situational awareness

Defensive driving

Intelligence tools

Travel risk platforms

Discretion

Calm under pressure

GPS navigation

Secure communications

Intelligence systems

Communication skills

Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Job description

Department & Organization

Public Safety
Organization: Johns Hopkins Health System
FLSA Status: Non-Exempt
Travel: Domestic travel required, primarily within Washington, D.C. and surrounding states

Position Summary

The Executive Protection Specialist (EPS) is a mission-critical member of the Executive Security Program (ESP) within the Johns Hopkins Public Safety framework. Reporting to the Deputy Chief, Investigations, this role is responsible for ensuring the physical safety, secure mobility, and risk mitigation of senior leadership — including the Presidents of JHU, JHHS, and JHM and their spouses. This position blends real-time protective operations with advance planning, threat intelligence integration, and executive-level service. The EPS serves as both a principal protective driver and operational lead for close protection assignments locally and nationally.

Key Responsibilities

Protective Operations

• Serve as principal transportation officer for designated executives, ensuring safe, efficient, and discreet travel.
• Conduct advance security assessments for meetings, events, and public engagements.
• Identify and implement alternate routes, secure parking, and staging areas based on threat intelligence and real-time conditions.
• Maintain superior situational awareness and defensive driving standards.

Threat Assessment & Intelligence Integration

• Provide real-time situational awareness and threat reporting.
• Monitor and cross-reference intelligence platforms to ensure operational readiness.
• Scale protection efforts based on tiered threat assessments and travel risk analysis.

Operational Leadership

• Lead and coordinate internal and vendor-based close protection teams.
• Support residence protection operations as required.
• Collaborate with internal security partners to maintain seamless executive protection coverage.

Administrative & Program Support

• Submit detailed post-mission reports, site surveys, and threat documentation.
• Participate in weekly threat briefings and strategic planning sessions.
• Assist in the development and enhancement of ESP operations manuals and SOPs.

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Bachelor’s degree preferred

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of law enforcement, military, or executive protection experience required
• Experience in high-threat or international executive protection assignments preferred
• Experience supporting university executives, corporate leaders, or government dignitaries preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong situational awareness and defensive driving capabilities
• Familiarity with protective intelligence tools and travel risk platforms
• Exceptional discretion and integrity
• Ability to remain calm under pressure and rapidly assess evolving threats
• Proficiency with GPS navigation, secure communication tools, and intelligence systems
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Licensure & Certification Requirements

• State of Maryland Wear and Carry Permit required
• LEOSA eligibility preferred
• EMT or Tactical Emergency Medical certification preferred (must obtain within 6 months if not currently certified)
• IAHSS Supervisor Level Certification required
• Valid driver’s license with acceptable driving record:
• No more than 5 points on MVR
• No more than 7 points from driving infractions on SambaSafety assessment
• No 15+ points from non-valid license status
• Successful completion of background investigation, psychological screening, and firearms qualification
• Completion and maintenance of required certifications including CPR, Stop the Bleed, Narcan, and de-escalation training

Working Conditions

• Flexible scheduling required, including early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays
• Must maintain readiness posture and be able to deploy with short notice
• High-stakes environment requiring sound judgment and calm decision-making
• Extended periods of standing and walking

Salary Range

Minimum /hour - Maximum /hour. Compensation will be commensurate with equity and experience for roles of similar scope and responsibility. In cases where the range is displayed as a $0 amount, salary discussions will occur during candidate screening calls, before any subsequent compensation discussion is held between the candidate and any hiring authority.

The Hospital reserves the right to modify employee schedules as needed.

We are committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment, where we embrace and celebrate our differences, where all employees feel valued, contribute to our mission of serving the community, and engage in equitable healthcare delivery and workforce practices.

Johns Hopkins Health System and its affiliates are drug-free workplace employers.