First Opportunity Program: Public Safety Agent

Oregon Metro; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Metro in Portland applies a Public Safety Agent to support the Oregon Convention Center during a 40-hour weekly night shift. The role emphasizes safety, guest services, and teamwork with police and fire agencies.

Candidates should have a high school diploma (or GED) and at least one year of security or customer service experience. Training includes post orders and emergency response skills.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED; 18+ years of age.
• 1 year of responsible experience in security, customer service, crowd management, events, or related fields.
• Ability to read and follow policies, procedures, and post orders.

Responsibilities

• Represent OCC as a first-impression ambassador with outstanding customer service.
• Ensure events remain safe and assist with wayfinding and information.
• Assist with safe and efficient evacuations when needed.
• Monitor areas and respond to suspicious activity with other agents.
• Coordinate with local law enforcement and emergency services during responses.
• Complete reports and stay informed on directives using computer/mobile devices.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

De-escalation

Emergency response

Crowd control

Report writing

Coordination with agencies

Education

High school diploma

GED

Tools

Video management software

Report writing systems

Dispatching software

Computer-aided dispatch (CAD)

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.

Attributes for success:

• 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.
• Capabilityofcompletingand 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.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion inall ofits work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro’s goal is to hire,developandretainhighly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.

Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity

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 PerformanceExamthat 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.