Security Ambassador

Duke PA; Durham (NC); On-site; USD 41,600 - 50,128; Full time

Job summary

Duke University’s Nasher Museum of Art seeks a Security Ambassador to help create a welcoming, safe, and inclusive museum experience for staff, visitors, and the community.

You will perform security, emergency response, visitor monitoring, and customer service duties, including opening/closing procedures, badge checks, and coordination with Duke Facilities. Weekend/evening shifts and a non-on-call schedule apply. Anticipated Pay Range: USD 20.00 to USD 24.10 per hour.

Qualifications

• High school education or equivalent required.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience in customer service or security environment.
• Strong communication skills in English; bilingual abilities welcomed.

Responsibilities

• Safety, security, and emergency response: implement procedures and respond to incidents.
• Visitor monitoring and policy engagement: monitor galleries, check badges, and guide visitors.
• Customer service and communication: assist visitors and coordinate with museum staff.
• Operational support: open/close procedures, logs, and video surveillance tasks.
• Additional duties as assigned to support museum operations.

Skills

Customer service

Observation skills

English communication

Team collaboration

Education

High school education

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Duke University was created in 1924 through an indenture of trust by James Buchanan Duke. Today, Duke is regarded as one of America’s leading research universities. Located in Durham, North Carolina, Duke is positioned in the heart of the Research Triangle, which is ranked annually as one of the best places in the country to work and live. Duke has more than 15,000 students who study and conduct research in its 10 undergraduate, graduate and professional schools. With about 40,000 employees, Duke is the third largest private employer in North Carolina, and it now has international programs in more than 150 countries.

Be You.

At Duke, we celebrate individuality and the unique perspectives that each member of our community brings. As the Security Ambassador, you’ll play a vital role in creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive museum environment where staff, visitors, and the broader community can fully engage with the Nasher Museum of Art. Your presence and professionalism ensure that everyone who enters the museum feels supported, respected, and connected.

Be Bold.

As a Security Ambassador, you are a frontline representative of Duke University and the Nasher Museum—supporting safety, protecting cultural assets, and delivering exceptional visitor experience.

What You’ll Do:

Safety, Security, and Emergency Response

• Implement and uphold museum security procedures in collaboration with fellow security staff.
• Respond calmly and effectively to emergencies, including fire/life safety and medical situations.
• Maintain strong situational awareness, identifying suspicious, unsafe, or unusual activities.
• Document incidents clearly and accurately through required reporting protocols.

Visitor Monitoring and Policy Engagement

• Monitor assigned galleries and museum spaces to encourage safe, respectful visitor behavior.
• Safeguard artworks, facilities, and property through proactive presence and observation.
• Welcome and check in visitors at the loading dock; issue temporary badges as needed.
• Escort Duke Facilities personnel and external contractors to secure, non-public areas.
• Address policy concerns in a respectful, visitor-centered manner.

Customer Service and Communication

• Provide exceptional customer service to visitors, staff, and community partners.
• Assist guests with inquiries, directions, and general information about the museum and Duke campus.
• Maintain clear and professional communication with museum staff and security leadership.

Operational Support and Professional Development

• Conduct opening and closing procedures and maintain daily logs as outlined in standard operating procedures.
• Monitor and operate museum video surveillance systems.
• Support after-hours and special events as needed.
• Participate in required training and ongoing professional development.
• Operate a golf cart for museum-related duties.

Additional Duties

• Perform other responsibilities as assigned to support museum operations and visitor experience.

This position is from Saturday-Wednesday, 8am to 5pm. There will be no on call shifts.

Choose Duke.

When you join Duke as a Security Ambassador, you become part of a community dedicated to learning, creativity, and service. You’ll work in an environment that values:

• Collaboration and respect— supporting diverse visitors and colleagues with professionalism and care.
• Growth and development— refining communication, safety, and leadership skills through ongoing training.
• Reliability and trust— contributing to the protection of world-class art collections and cultural spaces.
• Engagement and purpose— representing Duke’s commitment to safety, stewardship, and visitor-centered service.

In this role, you will succeed by bringing:

• Communication and comprehension skills normally acquired through a high school education.
• Dependability and sound judgment in daily responsibilities.
• Minimum of 2 years related experience and/or training in a customer service oriented field. Previous security experience in a public environment preferred.
• Strong communication skills, including clear spoken and written English (bilingual abilities welcomed).
• High observation skills and situational awareness.
• Physical ability to stand, walk, climb stairs, and work outdoors as needed.
• Comfort with Microsoft Office tools and basic computer applications.
• Flexibility to work evenings, weekends, holidays, and late-night shifts.
• A satisfactory MVR check for golf cart operation.

Ready to Make a Difference?

Anticipated Pay Range: Duke University provides an annual base salary range for this position as USD $20.00 to USD $24.10. Duke University considers factors such as (but not limited to) scope and responsibilities of the position; candidate's work experience, education/training, and key skills; internal peer equity; as well as market and organizational considerations when extending an offer.

Your total compensation goes beyond the dollars on your paycheck. Duke provides comprehensive and competitive medical and dental care programs, generous retirement benefits, and a wide array of family-friendly and cultural programs to eligible team members. Learn more at: https://hr.duke.edu/benefits/

Equal Opportunity Employer: Duke is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to providing employment opportunity without regard to an individual's age, color, disability, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy- related conditions), sexual orientation, or military status.

Duke aspires to create a community built on collaboration, innovation, creativity, and belonging. Our collective success depends on the robust exchange of ideas—an exchange that is best when the rich diversity of our perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences flourishes. To achieve this exchange, it is essential that all members of the community feel secure and welcome, that the contributions of all individuals are respected, and that all voices are heard. All members of our community have a responsibility to uphold these values.

Essential Physical Job Functions: Certain jobs at Duke University and Duke University Health System may include essential job functions that require specific physical and/or mental abilities. Additional information and reasonable accommodation(s) can be requested with Duke Access and Accommodations Services (email: [e-mail]; phone: [phone]).

Nearest Major Market: Durham
Nearest Secondary Market: Raleigh

Read more about Duke’s commitment to affirmative action and nondiscrimination at hr.duke.edu/eeo.