Museum In State Jobs in New Jersey (NOW HIRING)

Job Description | Security Guard

Division | Operations

Department | Security

Reporting Relationship | Senior Manager, Building Services

About The Newark Museum of Art:

We acknowledge the traditional homelands of the Lenape, also known as the Delaware, upon which The Newark Museum of Art resides.

We welcome everyone with inclusive experiences that spark curiosity and foster community.

Founded in 1909 and located in New Jersey, The Newark Museum of Art (NMOA) is the state's largest museum and ranks twelfth nationally in terms of collection size. Global and diasporic, the collection includes more than 130,000 artworks, as well as significant holdings of science and natural history. From the ancient world to the art of today, NMOA boasts exceptional quality and depth in the Arts of Global Africa; Arts of Global Asia, featuring a renown Tibetan collection and Buddhist altar; Arts of the Americas, with particular strength in Native American art; Arts of the Ancient Mediterranean, and Decorative Arts.

Visitor-and community-centered, NMOA responds to the evolving needs and interests of the diverse publics it serves by offering exhibitions, programming, a research library, paid internships, and local and global partnerships. A four-acre campus includes the National Historic Landmark Ballantine House (1885); the Ward Carriage House (1868); the Old Stone School House (1784); and the Alice Ransom Dreyfuss Memorial Garden. NMOA has launched an era of transformation to create an engaged citizenry by reimagining the role of the art museum for the 21st century.

Job Summary:

Reporting to the Senior Manager, Security, the Security Guard is responsible for safeguarding the Museum’s collections, property, staff, and visitors. This role protects against theft, fire, vandalism, and other risks while ensuring a safe and welcoming environment. Security Guards also serve as ambassadors for the Museum, delivering courteous and professional customer service.

Work Schedule: This position is a full-time, on-site position, required to work onsite five (5) days per week, from Saturday through Wednesday. The role follows a second-shift schedule, with hours of 3:30-11:30pm. Security staff work a 40-hour week, including holidays and weekends. Overtime is available for other shifts.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor and maintain security surveillance across Museum property and collections.
• Operate and respond to burglar and fire alarm systems.
• Conduct routine patrols and inspections to identify safety and security concerns.
• Open and close the Museum in accordance with procedures.
• Assist staff and visitors with safety, directions, and general inquiries.
• Respond promptly to incidents and support frontline staff with security issues.
• Maintain a visible, professional presence throughout the Museum.
• Responsible for opening and closing the Museum.

Knowledge, Skills, and Attributes:

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Prior security experience required.
• Valid SORA license is preferred.
• Experience with CCTV systems preferred.
• Proficiency in basic report writing required.
• Familiarity with basic operations of burglar and fire alarm systems required.
• Basic computer proficiency (email, Microsoft Word) preferred.

• Ability to follow written procedures and security protocols.
• Professional demeanor with strong customer service skills.
• Flexible schedule, including weekends, evenings, holidays, and overtime as needed.
• Must be able to work more than 40 hours per week when required by the Museum.

Working Conditions/Physical Demands:

• Ability to remain in a stationary period for extended periods of time, move about, access, and operate equipment.

• Ability to lift and move up to twenty (20) pounds.
• Ability to navigate accessible public and administrative areas of the Museum, including use of elevators.

Rate: $18.18/hourly

The Newark Museum of Art is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Upholding this commitment, we prohibit discrimination and harassment of any type and afford equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. This commitment applies to all aspects of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, compensation, training, promotion, placement, transfer, layoff, recall, leaves of absence, and termination.

We embrace a culture of inclusive excellence, ensuring that people of all backgrounds, identities, or abilities are empowered to explore, learn, contribute, and engage with the arts. Since its founding in 1909, the Museum has been grounded in the belief that art and learning are for everyone. The Museum reaffirms its dedication to this inclusive vision, which has shaped its aspirations, actions, and policies for over a century. More information on the Newark Museum of Art’s commitment to a culture of inclusive excellence can be found here.

The Newark Museum of Art is dedicated to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals. As an integral part of this commitment, reasonable accommodation may be provided to applicants and employees to support them in performing the essential functions of their roles, unless doing so would cause undue hardship for the organization. For inquiries regarding reasonable accommodation, please contact accessibility@newarkmuseumart.org.