First Opportunity Program: Public Safety Agent

Oregon Metro; Oregon; On-site; USD 40,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Oregon Convention Center is seeking a Public Safety Agent to join our Department of Public Safety. You will help ensure a safe, welcoming environment for attendees, staff, and exhibitors while delivering outstanding customer service and following safety protocols.

This full-time night‑shift position offers 40 hours per week (five 8‑hour shifts, 10:00 PM–8:00 AM) in a dynamic, people‑centered setting with training and opportunities for growth within Metro’s public safety team.

Qualifications

• Minimum qualifications include a high school diploma or GED, 18+ years old, and at least 1 year of responsible security or crowd management experience.
• An applicant may combine education, professional and lived experience to meet the qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Represent OCC as a first-impression ambassador by delivering outstanding customer service at every interaction.
• Ensure events remain safe by assisting guests with wayfinding and information.
• Assist with safe and efficient evacuations when needed.
• Monitor assigned areas and respond to suspicious activity with other agents.
• Coordinate with local police and emergency responders during incidents.

Skills

Customer service

Public safety

Communication

De-escalation

Problem solving

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

This is a First Opportunity recruitment, we are only accepting applications from residents who live within the First Opportunity Target Area (FOTA) and meet the qualifying annual household income limit. For more information please visit www.oregonmetro.gov/fota.

Hello, we are Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.

Join the Oregon Convention Center Department of Public Safety as a Public Safety Agent and be part of a team committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment for everyone who visits, works, and hosts events at the OCC. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact each day by supporting the safety and comfort of a diverse community while helping ensure every guest has a positive experience.

The Oregon Convention Center is a 24-hour, seven-day a-week operation that supports a wide variety of events, visitors, staff, and vendors. This role offers consistent hands‑on experience in both safety and customer service, allowing you to develop strong communication, observation, and problem‑solving skills in a highly visible, people‑centered environment. You will be part of a supportive team made up of individuals with a range of backgrounds.

In this position, you will receive ongoing development opportunities designed to help you build confidence and expand your skill set. As industry practices evolve, you will continue learning and gaining experience that prepares you for long term growth in safety related roles.

If you are interested in pursuing a future in public service such as Police, Fire, EMS, Emergency Dispatch, or Social Work, this role offers a strong foundation to build your experience, strengthen your fundamentals, and explore your career path while contributing to a team that values service, professionalism, and community.

As a Public Safety Agent, you will:

• Represent OCC as a first‑impression ambassador byoffering warmgreetings,cleardirectionsandeffectiveproblem‑solving for event attendees. The focusisondeliveringoutstanding customer serviceat every interaction.
• Be responsible forensuring that eventsremainsafe.Assistguests withwayfinding and event information.
• Assistwith safe and efficientevacuationswhen needed.
• Monitor assigned areas andrespondto suspicious activitywithotherAgents.
• Coordinates with Portland Police Bureau, Portland Fire & Rescue, and Paramedics during emergency responses.
• Usea computerand/or mobile device to complete reports, receive assignments, review policies,protocolsandstay informed on currentdirectives to ensure quality in an ever‑changing environment.
• Arrestsindividualsviolatingstate laws andcollaborateswith local law enforcement andprosecutorstosupport legal proceedings.
• Managecrowd controlandprovide initialresponseduringmedicaloremergency situations.
• Additional opportunities and event specific assignments are available (with additional training) in patrol functions, dispatching, environmental safety, training and more.

Attributesforsuccess:

• Dependable, trustworthy, professional, who ishonest and enjoysinteracting with the public and in a team of public safety professionals.
• Ability to deliver outstanding customer service and interact in a positive and respectful way with the public.
• Proven ability toestablishand maintain professional relationships with co-workersacross all departments.
• Knowledge of,or a passion for,eventsafety and security.
• Skilledin administering First Aid, CPR, AED, crowdcontrolandcoordinatingemergency services.
• Proficient in providing clear and concise written documentation of incidents in on‑scene notes and the subsequent report.
• Able to deliverclear and concise verbal debriefs of incidents to managers and first responders.
• Willingness and ability to learn purpose‑built computer programs including video management software, report writing systems, dispatching and computer‑aided dispatching user interfaces.
• Capable of reading and following building floor plans, policies, procedures, protocols, directives and briefings.
• Ability to remain calm and professional in emergency situations while coordinating a response.
• Skilled ineffectively de‑escalatingtense situations,includingpeople in crisis or agitated/obstinate individuals.
• Physically able to run over one‑third of a mile on varying surfaces and terrain, both incline and decline (including stairs) during an emergency incident.
• Capability ofcompletingand issuingMultnomah Countyparkingcitations.
• Ableto read andcomprehendfirealarm systempaneltodeterminelocation ofafire.
• Abilityto protectoneselfand/or defendothersfrom imminent physicalharmandexercise soundjudgementwhendeterminingtheappropriate intervention, based on adynamic situations.
• Availabilityto work dayshift,swing shift, nightshift, weekends,holidaysand urgent requests as needed.
• Experienced inreading, following, and applying security policies, procedures, and postorders;as well asreviewandcommunicatepost orders via email as needed.

TO QUALIFY:

We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.

Minimum qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED and;
• At least 18 years of age and;
• One year of responsible experience in providing security for a large facility, customer service, crowd management, events, or;
• Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.

Special Requirements:

• Successful completion of aMetroand DPSSTbackground check
• Abilityto successfully complete a Human PerformanceExam that simulates common physical tasks performedfor this position prior tohire.
• Has (or qualifies and completes) a DPSST Unarmed Security Professional Certification.

Shift & Schedule:

This is a full‑time night shift position requiring 40 hours per week, consisting of five 8‑hour shifts. Shifts will be scheduled within the hours of 10:00 PM and 8:00 AM.

Working Conditions:

In this role you will work in both indoor and outdoor environments, often exposed to varying weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. The role requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, and occasional running, as well as physical activities such as crawling, kneeling, and climbing. Candidates should be prepared for physically demanding tasks while maintaining a high level of awareness and responsiveness in dynamic situations.

If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply

If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.

Like to have qualifications

You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.

• Current Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certificate.
• First Aid or Stop‑the‑bleed certificate.
• Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification.
• Current DPSST Unarmed Security Professional certification.
• Two (2) + years working with events, particularly in security, public safety , or problem‑solving roles.
• Experience reviewing and enacting policies and procedures.

SCREENING AND EVALUATION

The application packet:

The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.

• Complete online application with all relevant experience listed
• Responses to supplemental questions

The selection process:

We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.

• Initial review of minimum qualifications.
• In‑depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates.
• Consideration of candidates with a remote interview.
• Consideration of top candidates with an in‑person interview.
• Reference checks (must provide at least three references).
• Background records check and human performance exam for finalist candidate.

COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION

The full salary range for this position is step1: $28.81 per hour, to step 7: $38.61 per hour. However, unless a candidate’s qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro’s internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made at step 1: $28.81 per hour, to step 4: $33.35 per hour.

This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by ILWU 28. It is classified as a Facility Security Agent.

Equal employment opportunity

All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.

Non‑discrimination in hiring decisions

Metro is committed to equal employment opportunity and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local civil rights laws. Metro employment decisions – including recruitment, screening, interviewing, selection, promotion, compensation, and separation – must not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, age, veteran status, or any other protected class.

Accommodation

Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

Veterans' preference

Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans' preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans' preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.

Pay equity at Metro

No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.

Online applications

Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.

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Metro

Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area’s garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.

As part of the Metro family, Oregon Convention Center, helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.

The Oregon Convention Center and Metro

The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention facility in the Pacific Northwest, attracting out‑of‑town visitors to national conventions, tradeshows and meetings, and local people to special events. The convention center’s roughly 160 employees host more than 1 million visitors each year.