Security Officer - 2nd Shift (Thursday-Monday, 4pm-12am)

The Art Institute of Chicago; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 38,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

The Art Institute of Chicago is seeking a Security Officer for the 2nd shift (Thursday–Monday, 4pm–12am) to protect visitors, staff and art. This full-time, on-site role requires vigilance, communication, and a proactive approach to safety.

You will monitor access, respond to alarms, patrol premises, and coordinate with DoPS to ensure a secure museum environment. A high school diploma and at least two years of security experience, plus strong customer service and teamwork, are essential.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Two years of security or related experience.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to articulate solutions and work effectively as part of a team.
• 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.
• Must adapt to varying shift schedules, extended hours, and changing operational environments.
• Basic computer knowledge.

Responsibilities

• Controls access to the museum.
• Monitors visitors, staff, and contractors in all public and private areas of the museum, looking for unusual or suspicious actions.
• Demonstrates knowledge of the museum layout and facilities.
• Works in Control areas; inspects parcels, issues keys, manages visitors and contractors, answers radio traffic and phones.
• Enforces policies and procedures and helps protect property; observes and assists in preventing theft or vandalism.
• Responds to fire and security alarms; determines if false or actual and takes appropriate action; completes incident reports.
• Performs shift patrols of fire, security, and HVAC as directed.
• Tests security equipment as instructed.
• Provides courteous assistance to visitors and staff by answering questions and giving information.
• Observes surroundings for evidence of damage to structure or art.
• Keeps manager informed of suspicious activities, leaks, faults, or injuries.
• Follows all DoPS policies and trains new Officers.
• Coordinates communication with supervisors during incidents or emergencies.
• Relays accurate information via radio or phone to appropriate personnel.
• Works with team to ensure consistent enforcement of safety procedures.
• May work all shifts or overtime as needed (including 30–90 days on a different shift).
• Operates equipment: alarms, radios, telephones, incident reporting software, HVAC and access control panels, keys, and surveillance tools.

Skills

Customer service

Interpersonal communication

Teamwork

Problem solving

Written communication

Education

High School diploma or GED

Job description

Security Officer - 2nd Shift (Thursday-Monday, 4pm-12am)

Job Category: Security

Requisition Number: SECUR002924

• Posted : September 4, 2026
• Full-Time
• On-site

Locations

Showing 1 location

Chicago, IL 60603, USA

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 ( DoPS) 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. Provides 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.
• Works regularly in all Control areas; inspects parcels, issues keys, manages visitors and contractors, answers radio traffic and telephones.
• Assists in enforcing policies and procedures and protecting property; observes and assists in preventing acts of theft, touching, handling, tampering, moving, or any action that might cause damage to exhibits or museum property.
• Has a working knowledge of fire and security systems and the ability to operate them. Responds to all fire and/or security alarms, determines whether they are false or actual, and takes appropriate action. Completes Incident Reports for each response.
• 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.
• 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, smoke, fire, water leaks, faulty equipment, electrical failure, or injured persons in a timely fashion.
• Follows all instructions and adheres to all Policies and Procedures as presented in the DoPS Policy.
• Performs special assignments work such as training new Officers.
• 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.
• Escorts or assists visitors, VIP dignitaries, or contractors as needed.
• Performs relief duties as necessary per DoPS policy.
• Performs special assignment work such as assisting with the training of new officers.
• Coordinates communication with supervisors and fellow officers during incidents or emergencies.
• Relays accurate information via radio or phone to appropriate personnel as directed.
• Works collaboratively with team members to ensure consistent enforcement of policies and safety procedures.
• May be required to work all shifts or overtime depending on operational needs (including 30–90 days on a different shift).
• Equipment used to perform the job: fire and security alarm systems; two-way radios and telephones; computer systems and software for incident reporting and communication; HVAC and access control panels; keys, key control systems, and surveillance monitors; and security inspection tools (e.g., flashlights, metal detectors, testing devices).

Qualifications

• High School diploma or GED required.
• Two years of security or related experience.
• Strong customer service and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills; ability to articulate solutions and work effectively as part of a team.
• 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.
• Must adapt to varying shift schedules, extended hours, and changing operational environments.
• Basic computer knowledge.

Physical Requirements

• Seeing, hearing, speaking, and writing clearly to communicate, observe, and report incidents, and direct others.
• Must be physically fit to respond to alarms and emergencies.
• Must be physically able to stand and/or walk for over 67% of a shift.
• Must be physically able to climb straight ladders and steep stairs up to 33% of a shift.
• Must be able to bend, stoop, squat, and/or kneel as needed to perform duties.
• Must be able to lift and/or carry up to 50 pounds.
• Must be able to walk on ramps, climb, and move through narrow passageways.
• May work in confined or low-clearance spaces (e.g., areas with 49-inch doorways or narrow passageways).
• May be exposed to all climatic conditions when patrolling outside the museum.

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.

If you are accessing this listing from a third party, not all links to salary and benefits information may work. Please visit our career page at saic/artic.edu/employment for complete information

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:

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.