Sr Specialist, Security Training and Event Operations

American Chemical Society; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid vacation and sick leave

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Disability insurance

4-week work from anywhere

Job summary

The American Chemical Society seeks an experienced leader to coordinate event security planning and emergency preparedness for national meetings and executive events in Washington, DC. You will oversee risk assessments, develop contingency plans, and coordinate with facilities, law enforcement, and emergency responders to ensure safe, smooth operations.

This role requires 8+ years in security operations or a related field, a bachelor’s degree (master’s preferred), strong communication and vendor

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in a related field.
• 8+ years of relevant experience or a master’s degree with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience supporting large-scale meetings, conferences, or executive events.
• Experience developing/s delivering safety, security, or crisis training.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness, incident response, risk assessment, and continuity planning.
• Strong project coordination, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, including training delivery in urgent situations.
• Judgment, discretion, and professionalism with staff, executives, partners.
• Domestic travel and after-hours support as required.
• Ability to stand/move for extended periods and lift up to 25 pounds.

Responsibilities

• Lead security planning and preparedness for meetings and events.
• Conduct risk assessments and develop emergency/contingency plans.
• Coordinate with Facilities, contract security, law enforcement, and responders.
• Lead after-action reviews and continuous improvement efforts.
• Lead security planning for ACS Spring/Fall National Meetings and major events.
• Coordinate travel logistics, staffing, and deployment for Safety & Emergency Management personnel.
• Develop event-specific emergency action plans and crisis communications.
• Support executive, Board, and VIP security requirements.
• Lead post-event after-action reviews and lessons learned.

Skills

Security operations

Emergency preparedness

Event security

Public safety

Business continuity

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Vendor management

Project coordination

Training delivery

Education

Bachelor's degree in emergency management, security management, public safety, criminal justice, business continuity, occupational safety, or related field

Job description

Event Security Planning & Coordination

• Coordinate security planning and operational support for meetings, executive events, Board activities, and special programs.
• Conduct event risk assessments and develop emergency and contingency plans.
• Coordinate with Facilities, contract security, law enforcement, and emergency responders.
• Lead after-action reviews and continuous improvement efforts.

National Meetings & Conference Operations

• Lead security planning and preparedness activities for ACS Spring and Fall National Meetings and other major events.
• Conduct advance site assessments and coordinate with venue management and emergency services.
• Coordinate travel logistics, staffing requirements, and deployment plans for Safety & Emergency Management personnel.
• Develop event-specific emergency action plans, evacuation procedures, and crisis communications.
• Support executive, Board, and VIP security requirements.
• Lead post-event after-action reviews and lessons learned.

Emergency Preparedness & Training Programs

• Develop and deliver enterprise-wide safety and security training programs.
• Maintain annual schedules for drills, exercises, and mandatory preparedness activities.
• Coordinate employee onboarding security orientations.
• Track training participation and compliance metrics.
• Support volunteer floor wardens and emergency coordinators.

Annual Enterprise Preparedness Program

• Lead the annual preparedness program across all ACS locations.
• Coordinate awareness campaigns, tabletop exercises, and readiness initiatives.
• Establish preparedness metrics and reporting mechanisms.
• Promote a culture of preparedness through employee engagement.

Ohio Campus Support

• Serve as the Safety & Emergency Management coordinator for the Columbus, Ohio campus.
• Conduct periodic site visits and deliver training programs.
• Coordinate local drills and first-responder relationships.

Business Continuity & Resilience Support

• Support continuity planning, testing, and improvement activities.
• Participate in crisis management activations and resilience exercises.
• Track corrective actions and lessons learned.

Budget & Vendor Management

• Assist with budgets for training, exercises, and event security operations.
• Coordinate relationships with contract security and training vendors.
• Support procurement activities and vendor evaluations.

Committees & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Participate in internal safety and preparedness committees.
• Partner with HR, Facilities, IT, Communications, Legal, and Meeting Services.
• Coordinate with local emergency management and public safety agencies.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in emergency management, security management, public safety, criminal justice, business continuity, occupational safety, or a related field; equivalent experience may be considered.
• 8+ years of relevant experience or master's degree with 5+ years of relevant experience in security operations, emergency preparedness, event security, public safety, business continuity, or a related field.
• Experience supporting large-scale meetings, conferences, executive events, or complex multi-stakeholder events.
• Experience developing or delivering safety, security, emergency preparedness, or crisis response training.
• Knowledge of emergency preparedness, incident response, event risk assessment, and continuity planning.
• Strong project coordination, vendor management, and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to deliver training and communicate effectively in urgent situations.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, discretion, and professionalism with staff, executives, members, vendors, and external partners.
• Ability to travel domestically and support evening, weekend, and emergency response needs as required.
• Ability to stand and move throughout facilities and conference venues for extended periods.
• Ability to lift up to 25 pounds of training or emergency materials.

Preferred:

• Master's degree, criminal justice or related field
• FEMA/NIMS/ICS training or related emergency management certification.
• Experience with emergency notification systems, incident management tools, training platforms, or event operations software.

This role is based in our Washington, DC office. A reasonable rate of compensation for this position is between $110,000 - $130,000 per year. ACS employees work a hybrid schedule, consisting of working onsite two days per work week, as decided by functional area. The balance of the week is open to working remotely, though employees are always welcome onsite each day if they choose.

ACS currently provides the following benefits for this position: paid vacation leave, paid sick leave, paid holidays, health insurance, flexible spending account or health care savings account, dental insurance, life insurance, vision insurance, retirement benefits, short- and long-term disability, and 4-week work from anywhere; each benefit is subject to the terms of the applicable program. Additional benefits may apply based on skills, experience, and location.

Any actual offer of employment, reflecting the total compensation package and benefits, will be made in the sole discretion of ACS. ACS reserves the right to amend or modify its employment benefits and compensation structure at any time.

Behaviors

Enthusiastic - Shows intense and eager enjoyment and interest

Innovative - Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking

Detail Oriented - Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well

Motivations

Goal Completion - Inspired to perform well by the completion of tasks

Self-Starter - Inspired to perform without outside help

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

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.