Security Guard (Harlem Center)

Police Athletic League, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 23,000 - 28,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible spending account

Employee assistance program

Tuition reimbursement

Pet insurance

Life insurance

Retirement savings

Paid time off

Training

More!

Job summary

The Police Athletic League (PAL) in New York is seeking a Part-Time Security Guard to help maintain the safety of participants, staff, and property during after-school programs. The role reports to the Elementary or Middle School Director and requires adherence to PAL security procedures.

Responsibilities include monitoring hallways, entry points, de-escalation, incident documentation, and participation in emergency procedures.

Qualifications

• Minimum High School Diploma / GED.
• New York State Security Guard License (required).
• S-95 FDNY Certificate of Fitness and F-02 Fire Guard for Shelters certificate. If not already held, both must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• A firm and friendly tone. The ability to be welcoming and maintain security.
• Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.

Responsibilities

• Monitor common areas for safety in after-school settings.
• Monitor entry/exit points and security cameras where available to ensure only authorized individuals access the building.
• De-escalate conflicts with calm verbal requests and escalate unresolved issues to supervisors.
• Respond to time-sensitive safety needs per PAL policies, including mental health incidents.
• Maintain clear documentation with concise descriptions of events.
• Participate in emergency procedures (fire drills, evacuations, lockdowns) as directed by the Center Director.
• Learn about the members of the community and be a part of the PAL Centers as hubs for youth development.
• Interact with caretakers when onsite and keep open lines of communication.
• Attend and actively participate in required training sessions, designated meetings, and events.

Skills

Verbal communication

De-escalation

Conflict resolution

Situational awareness

Interpersonal skills

Bilingual preferred

Education

High School Diploma / GED

New York State Security Guard License

S-95 FDNY Certificate of Fitness

F-02 Fire Guard for Shelters certificate

Job description

Who We Are

The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization and has been a vibrant and vital institution, serving as an effective, critical bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs of the City since 1914. PAL operates diverse programs for children as young as 2 years old to young adults. Programs include Head Start, after-school programs and summer day camps for elementary, middle and high school youth, and summer Playstreets. PAL also runs evening teen centers and college readiness programs, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs. Staying true to PAL's roots, a cornerstone of our youth development strategy includes offering competitive and recreational sports for children of all ages. At PAL, we're devoted to empowering communities and building the best places to work, and that goes for our own teams too.

Position: Security Guard

Who We Are

The Police Athletic League (PAL) of New York City is an independent youth development nonprofit organization and has been a vibrant and vital institution, serving as an effective, critical bridge between police and communities across all five boroughs of the City since 1914. PAL operates diverse programs for children as young as 2 years old to young adults. Programs include Head Start, after-school programs and summer day camps for elementary, middle and high school youth, and summer Playstreets. PAL also runs evening teen centers and college readiness programs, youth employment, and juvenile justice programs. Staying true to PAL's roots, a cornerstone of our youth development strategy includes offering competitive and recreational sports for children of all ages. At PAL, we're devoted to empowering communities and building the best places to work, and that goes for our own teams too.

Position Summary

We are looking for a Part Time Security Guard to help us create unique spaces where kids belong and feel safe. The Security Guard is responsible for maintaining the safety of participants, staff, and property during after-school program hours. In consultation with the center's Director, the Security Guard will implement and promote security procedures.

The Security Guard will report to the Elementary School Director or the Middle School Director.

What You'll Do

Major Duties & Responsibilities

• Monitor common areas for safety. Walk the hallways, gym, stairwells, and outdoor space routinely to ensure safety and prevent conflicts or unsafe behavior.
• Monitor entry and exit points, and security cameras where available, to help ensure that only authorized individuals access the building.
• De-escalate conflicts with calm verbal requests Elevate unresolved issues to supervisors.
• Respond appropriately and in accordance with PAL policies when time-sensitive mental health services are needed such as in the incidence of suicide prevention, grief, and loss due to death or incarceration of a family member.
• Maintain clear documentation when incidents occur. Write short, factual descriptions of events.
• Participate in emergency procedures, including fire drills, evacuations, lockdowns, and shelter-in-place, as directed by the Center Director.
• Learn about the members of the community and be a part of the community. PAL Centers are youth development hubs. Positive relationships are the cornerstone of all of our work.
• Interact with caretakers when onsite and keep open lines of communication.
• Attend and actively participate in all required training sessions, designated meetings, and special events.

The Commitment

• Able to work 15 hours a week (3 hours a day, 5 days a week).
• Able to attend 15 hours of orientation prior to the beginning of programming.
• Able to attend scheduled staff meetings and professional development throughout the year.

Qualifications

What You Bring:

• Minimum High School Diploma / GED.
• New York State Security Guard License (required).
• S-95 FDNY Certificate of Fitness and F-02 Fire Guard for Shelters certificate. If not already held, both must be obtained within 90 days of employment.
• Excellent verbal communication skills.
• A firm and friendly tone. The ability to be welcoming and maintain security.
• Strong situational awareness, the ability to identify early signs of unsafe behavior.
• Skilled in verbal de-escalation, redirection, and conflict resolution.
• Able to build positive rapport with diverse youth, families, and community members.
• Bilingual in Spanish, French, or Chinese preferred.

Compensation

Harlem Center - New York, NY

The salary for this role is $17.00 to $20.00 an hour.

Benefits

• health insurance
• flexible spending account options
• an employee assistance program
• tuition reimbursement
• pet insurance
• life insurance
• retirement savings options
• a generous paid time off policy
• training
• more!

Location

Location:

Start Date

Start Date: September 7th, 2026

At the Police Athletic League, we seek people who are talented, creative and passionate to help create a more inclusive city and better futures for our youth. We're devoted to empowering communities and building the best places to work, and that goes for our own teams too.

The Police Athletic League is an inclusive equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse workforce and providing a work environment that is free from discrimination and harassment based upon any legally protected characteristic including, but not limited to, an individual's sex, race, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or pregnancy.