Protective Services Guard

Worcester Art Museum; Worcester (MA); On-site; USD 21,000 - 26,000; Part time

Job summary

The Worcester Art Museum seeks part-time Protective Services Guards to help keep visitors and the collection safe while delivering a welcoming experience for everyone who enters the doors.

This entry-level role involves patrolling galleries and public spaces, monitoring artwork, answering questions, and guiding guests while following clear protocols. Training is provided; prior security experience is not required, with many guards coming from customer service or hospitality backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Entry-level role; prior security experience not required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal abilities.
• Reliable, punctual and able to work independently.

Responsibilities

• Monitor galleries and public spaces for safety and guidelines.
• Answer questions, provide directions and guest assistance.
• Report issues to supervisors or control room as needed.

Skills

Observational skills

Strong communication

Calm under pressure

Job description

The Worcester Art Museum is looking for part-time Protective Services Guards to help keep the Museum's visitors and collection safe while creating a welcoming, positive experience for everyone who walks through our doors. This is a highly visible, people focused role that blends safety, hospitality, and attentiveness. Shifts include days, evenings, weekends, and holidays, so flexibility is important. If you enjoy working with the public and staying engaged on your feet, this could be a great fit. Protective Services Guards work throughout the Museum in spaces like galleries, construction areas, and event venues. On a typical shift, you may open or close gallery spaces and keep an eye on visitor activity. You'll answer questions, offer directions, and gently remind guests of museum guidelines when needed. Part of the role includes monitoring artwork and gallery conditions and watching for anything out of the ordinary. Guards are often the first people visitors interact with, and you play an important role in noticing potential safety issues. When something needs attention, you'll communicate with supervisors or the control room to make sure it's addressed. Most days are calm and routine, but being ready to respond when conditions change is an important part of the job. We're looking for people who are observant, approachable, and comfortable working independently while following clear protocols. You should be comfortable spending most of your shift walking or standing, staying aware in both quiet galleries and busy spaces, and interacting with a wide range of visitors. Clear communication, good judgment, and the ability to stay calm in unexpected situations are essential. This is an entry level role, and prior security experience isn't required many guards come from customer service, hospitality, retail, or other public facing backgrounds. We provide training, and we value reliability, professionalism, and a genuine interest in helping create a safe and welcoming environment.

Key Requirements:

• ~ Reliable and punctual, demonstrating strong responsibility and effective time management throughout each shift.
• ~ Attentive and composed, able to stay observant while working independently in galleries, public areas, and event spaces, and respond professionally to changing conditions or unexpected situations.
• ~ Strong communication and interpersonal skills, interacting respectfully with a diverse range of visitors by providing directions and information and reinforcing museum guidelines calmly and professionally.
• ~ Safety-minded and procedural, able to identify potential safety or security concerns, follow established protocols, and communicate issues promptly to supervisors or the control room (by radio/phone).
• ~ Comfortable using basic technology, including email, scheduling, and timekeeping/payroll systems.
• ~ Must be 21 years of age or older

Physical Requirements

This role involves regular movement throughout the Museum. Candidates must be able to stand and walk for extended periods, navigate stairs and multiple levels of the building, and remain attentive while working on hard surfaces during assigned shifts, with or without reasonable accommodation.