Security Officer -3rd Shift, 12am-8am

The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is hiring a Security Officer to protect visitors, staff, and exhibits. You will monitor access, respond to alarms, enforce museum policies, and coordinate with DoPS to maintain safety across public and private areas.

Ideal candidates have a high school diploma or GED, at least two years of security experience, and strong communication skills. This on-site, full-time role offers daily duties, shift work, and opportunities to support museum operations.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED is required.
• Two years of security or related experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to follow instructions and work under pressure.
• Basic computer knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Controls access to the museum.
• Monitors visitors, staff, and contractors in all public and private areas of the museum; looks for unusual or suspicious actions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the museum layout and operations.
• Enforces policies and procedures and protects property; observes and prevents theft or damage.
• Responds to fire and security alarms and completes incident reports; informs supervisors of emergencies.

Skills

Customer service

Verbal communication

Written communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Posting Details

• Posted on November 2, 2026

Locations

Showing 1 location Chicago, IL 60603, USA

• On-site
• Security
• Full-Time
• Requisition #: OFFIC002947

Description

About the Art Institute of Chicago

The Art Institute of Chicago shares its singular collections with our city and the world. We collect, care for, and interpret works of art across time, cultures, geographies, and identities. We are a place of gathering and learning, committed to fostering an inclusive understanding of human creativity.

About the Department

The mission of the Department of Protection Service is to protect our staff, patrons, facility, and art. We operate a preventative security program, using a vast array of overt and covert tools, techniques, training, and technology. Collaboration with museum staff and external partners are the cornerstone of the department’s security mission.

Position Summary

Observes, assists and controls Museum access to protect the collection by serving as a deterrent to acts of vandalism or violence, monitoring fire, safety and security systems, screening employees and visitors entering and exiting the facility, assisting in crowd control and patrolling premises. Provide general information to the public in a courteous manner.

Responsibilities

• Controls access to the museum.
• Monitors visitors, staff, and contractors in all public and private areas of the museum, particularly looking for unusual or suspicious actions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the physical layout of the museum, including offices, restrooms, restaurants, galleries and special exhibit spaces.
• Demonstrates strong organizational skills and embraces a “team” concept with good problem solving skills and ability to articulate solutions.
• Works regularly in all Control areas; inspects parcels, issues keys, visitor and contractor management, answering radio traffic and telephones, etc.
• Assists in enforcing policies and procedures and protecting property; observes and assists in preventing acts of theft, touching, handling, tampering, moving or any other action that might cause damage to exhibits or museum property.
• Has a working knowledge of fire and security systems and the ability to operate. Responds to all fire and/or security alarms to confirm whether false or actual and take appropriate action. Completes Incident Report for each response.
• Informs officers and/or supervisors of emergency situations and dispatches them to various locations as emergency events require.
• Performs shift fire, security and HVAC patrols as directed per DoPS Policies and Procedures.
• Tests all security equipment as instructed.
• Provides courteous assistance to visitors and staff by responding to questions and furnishing appropriate information.
• Monitors AIC parking areas to detect and report suspicious vehicles; maintains parking spaces for authorized vehicles; keeps fire and handicap zones open and assists with bus arrivals and departures.
• Observes surroundings to detect any evidence of physical damage to the structure or works of art.
• Keeps the appropriate manager informed of any suspicious activities, the smell of smoke, fire, water leaks, faulty equipment, electrical failure, or sick and injured persons in a timely fashion.
• Escorts or assists visitors, VIP dignitaries or contractors as needed for the operation.
• Performs relief duties as necessary as per DoPS policy.
• Follows all instructions and adheres to all Policies and Procedures as presented in the DoPS Policy.
• Performs special assignment work such as training new officers.
• May be required to work all shifts or overtime depending on operational needs including a shift at a time or possibly 30 to 90 days on a different shift.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required
• Two years of security or related experience
• Must have customer service and strong written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to carry out instructions furnished in written, oral or diagrammatic form
• Ability to work under pressure and take direction from DOPS management representatives in emergency situations.
• Basic computer knowledge

Physical Requirements

• Seeing, hearing, speaking and writing clearly in order to communicate with employees and clients, observe and report incidents, and direct others.
• Must be physically fit to respond to alarms and/or emergencies.
• Must be physically able to stand over 67% of a shift.
• Must be physically able to walk up to 67% of a shift.
• Must be able to climb straight ladders and steeper stairs up to 33% of time during a shift.
• Ability to perform prolonged standing, walking on ramps, climbing and walking through narrow passageways
• Must be able to bend to reach controls, to lock/unlock doors, look under desks, and check flush pins.
• Must be able to stoop under beams and through 49” height doorway in lay light area when patrolling.
• Must be able to squat and/or kneel to unlock doors and assist patrons and/or employees in an emergency.
• Must be able to lift and/or carry an up to 50 pounds.
• May be exposed to all climatic conditions when patrolling outside the museum.

Compensation & Benefits

• Hiring Range

The expected hiring range is an estimated amount for positions based on the grade. Final offers are based on various factors, including skill set, experience, qualifications and other job-related reasons.

• Benefits
• PTO Overview
• Job Classification: Non-exempt
• Employment Category: Full time staff
• Grade Level:4

Accessibility

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs, you will find the contact information to request the appropriate accommodation by visiting the following page:

Accessibility Accommodation for Applicants

Equal Opportunity Statement

The Art Institute of Chicago is an Equal Opportunity Employer that recruits, hires and promotes qualified individuals compliant with federal and state laws. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact the Department of Human Resources at [e-mail] .

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.