At Pacific Science Center, our mission is to ignite curiosity in every child and fuel a passion for discovery, experimentation, and critical thinking in all of us. Our colleagues are passionate lifelong learners who live our mission every day. Each of us commits to bring an inclusion, diversity, equity, and access (IDEA) focus in every aspect of our work. Join our collaborative team and help steward our warm, welcoming, community-learning environment at PacSci.
As part of our ongoing commitment to a diverse, equitable, and inclusive workplace, we’re invested in building teams with a wide variety of backgrounds, identities, and experiences. Data shows that women and BIPOC candidates more frequently do not apply to a job because they don’t feel that they meet all of the qualifications listed. If you have some of the knowledge, skills, and abilities listed and you share PacSci's values and support our mission, we encourage you to apply.
Position Title: Security Supervisor
Department: Facilities
Reports to: Director of Facilities
Pay Class: Full-time Regular
FLSA Status: Hourly, Non-Exempt
Position Summary
The Security Supervisor provides day-to-day leadership and operational oversight of campus security to protect Pacific Science Center guests, employees, contractors, assets, and facilities. This working supervisor coordinates security staffing and coverage, maintains a visible and professional security presence that deters crime and addresses guest policy infractions, responds to incidents and emergencies, and promotes a welcoming guest experience. The position develops and maintains security standard operating procedures (SOPs), training materials, and documentation; coaches security personnel; and works collaboratively with Facilities, Guest Services, and other departments to support a safe, secure, and prepared campus.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
Security Operations and Campus Protection
The Security Supervisor is responsible for supporting the daily security operations of Pacific Science Center, ensuring a safe, secure, and welcoming environment for guests, employees, contractors, and other stakeholders. This position serves as a primary point of contact for security-related matters and provides hands-on leadership to ensure the effective implementation of security protocols, emergency response procedures, and campus safety practices.
Key responsibilities include:
- Enforce guests conduct policies and address policy violations consistent with established procedures.
- Conduct routine interior and exterior security patrols of campus buildings, exhibit spaces, grounds, and parking facilities to identify potential safety concerns, security vulnerabilities, suspicious activity, or unauthorized access.
- Oversee building opening and closing procedures, including securing exhibit areas at the conclusion of daily operations and ensuring appropriate lock-up procedures following special events and after-hours activities.
- Monitor parking facilities for suspicious activity, unauthorized access, vehicle tampering, and other potential security concerns.
- Respond promptly and appropriately to emergencies, security incidents, medical situations, hazards, fire alarms, evacuations, threats, trespassing, and disruptive behavior in accordance with established procedures.
- Oversee access control procedures, including management of keys, badges, visitor and contractor access, and restricted areas.
- Conduct routine inspections of security-related equipment and infrastructure, including doors, gates, alarms, cameras, and exterior lighting. Coordinate necessary repairs or corrective actions with Facilities and appropriate vendors.
- Provide professional assistance to guests, including wayfinding, escorts, and other security-related support while maintaining Pacific Science Center's commitment to a positive guest experience.
- Coordinate with appropriate staff during incidents and follow established direction and chain of command.
Security Team Leadership and Staffing
The Security Supervisor provides direct supervision and operational leadership to security personnel, fostering a culture of professionalism, accountability, teamwork, and exceptional customer service. This position is responsible for ensuring appropriate staffing levels and maintaining the flexibility necessary to support a seven-day-a-week operation, including special events and after-hours activities.
Responsibilities include:
- Participate in recruitment, hiring, onboarding, scheduling, training, performance evaluations, and disciplinary processes for security personnel in collaboration with the Director of Facilities and People & Culture.
- Develop, maintain, and adjust security schedules to ensure adequate staffing during normal operating hours, special events, building closures, and other operational needs.
- Provide direct security officer coverage when operationally necessary, including filling vacant shifts, covering employee absences, breaks, call-outs, and other staffing shortages. This may require working evenings, weekends, holidays, or adjusting regularly scheduled hours to maintain appropriate campus security coverage.
- Provide daily supervision, coaching, performance feedback, and professional development opportunities for security personnel.
- Address attendance, conduct, performance, and workplace concerns in collaboration with the Director of Facilities and People & Culture.
- Promote consistent communication, effective shift transitions, and accountability among security team members.
- Ensure security personnel understand and consistently follow established policies, procedures, post orders, and organizational expectations.
Security Procedures, Training, and Documentation
The Security Supervisor is responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining comprehensive security procedures and training programs that support operational consistency, regulatory compliance, and emergency preparedness. This position plays a critical role in establishing clear expectations and ensuring security personnel possess the knowledge and skills necessary to perform their assigned responsibilities.
Responsibilities include:
- Develop, implement, review, and regularly update security Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), post orders, emergency response plans, and site-specific security protocols.
- Create and maintain comprehensive onboarding materials, training manuals, operational checklists, refresher training programs, and related documentation.
- Conduct initial and ongoing security training covering patrol procedures, access control, incident reporting, radio communications, de-escalation techniques, emergency response, and guest interactions.
- Maintain accurate training records and verify that security personnel demonstrate competencies in required duties and procedures.
- Review daily security logs, patrol documentation, and incident reports to ensure accuracy, completeness, and timely reporting.
- Identify recurring security concerns, operational trends, and opportunities for process improvement; recommend and implement corrective or preventive measures as appropriate.
- Maintain confidential security records, incident documentation, shift handoff communications, and compliance-related materials in accordance with organizational policies and applicable requirements.
Emergency Preparedness, Health & Safety Collaboration
The Security Supervisor works collaboratively with the Health & Safety Manager, Facilities, Guest Services, and other departments to promote a proactive approach to campus safety, emergency preparedness, and risk mitigation. This position helps ensure security operations are aligned with broader organizational health and safety initiatives.
Responsibilities include:
- Partner closely with the Health & Safety Manager to identify, assess, and mitigate campus security and workplace safety risks.
- Collaborate on incident investigations, root-cause assessments, corrective actions, and preventive measures involving security and employee or guest safety.
- Assist in developing, implementing, and maintaining emergency response procedures, evacuation plans, emergency communications protocols, and related safety documentation.
- Participate in planning and conducting emergency preparedness drills, tabletop exercises, and employee training programs.
- Coordinate with Facilities, Guest Services, event teams, and external emergency responders to ensure appropriate security support for daily operations, special events, and emergency situations.
- Promptly communicate significant security incidents, life-safety concerns, and emerging risks to the Director of Facilities and other appropriate stakeholders.
Safety Committee Participation
The Security Supervisor is a required member of the Pacific Science Center Safety Committee and is expected to actively contribute to the organization's ongoing efforts to maintain a safe environment for employees, guests, volunteers, and contractors.
As part of this responsibility, the Security Supervisor will:
- Attend and actively participate in scheduled Safety Committee meetings.
- Provide security-related observations, incident trends, risk assessments, and recommendations for improving campus safety.
- Collaborate with the Health & Safety Manager and committee members to identify opportunities for improving safety policies, procedures, and emergency preparedness.
- Assist in developing and implementing committee recommendations, corrective actions, and safety improvement initiatives.
- Support communication of relevant safety information, procedural updates, and training requirements to security personnel.
- Follow through on assigned committee action items and provide updates on progress and completion.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration and Continuous Improvement
The Security Supervisor is expected to maintain strong working relationships across Pacific Science Center and serve as a collaborative resource for security-related operational needs. This position requires effective communication, sound judgment, and the ability to balance security requirements with the organization's educational mission and guest experience.
Responsibilities include:
- Serve as a primary security point of contact for internal departments, external partners, contractors, and emergency response agencies.
- Work collaboratively with Facilities, Guest Services, Exhibits, Programs, Health & Safety, and other departments to address security concerns and support organizational activities.
- Participate in security assessments, operational reviews, emergency preparedness initiatives, and continuous improvement efforts.
- Recommend enhancements to security staffing, equipment, training, policies, and procedures to strengthen campus security and operational effectiveness.
- Support special events, after-hours activities, and other organizational initiatives requiring security coordination or direct coverage.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Facilities.
Position Requirements: Knowledge, Skills, Abilities
Knowledge of:
- Basic security principles including:
- Legal powers and limitations of security officers
- General security and emergency response protocols
- Safety and accident prevention
- Report writing and maintaining records
Skills:
- Providing a high degree of customer service when determining and responding to the needs of guests and staff.
- Operating portable radio devices
- Conflict resolution and de-escalation skills
- Keen attention to visual, audio and written details
- Effective written and oral communication and interpersonal skills with ability to deal with all levels of personnel and the public in a professional and effective manner; must be able to use initiative and independent judgment within established guidelines
- Using technology to frequently prepare reports and logs
- Read and understand all operating procedures and instructions
Ability to:
- Create and implement strategies to prevent and respond to potential security threats.
- Handle both common and crisis situations calmly and efficiently
- Provide quality customer service
- Facilitate trainings
- Attend meetings
- Build and manage staff scheduling
- Develop and maintain SOPs, post orders, training curricula, and accurate training records
- Provide hands-on shift coverage and adapting schedules to changing operational needs
- Collaborate across departments, particularly with the Health & Safety Manager, to coordinate risk assessments, incident follow-up, emergency preparedness, and safety training.
- Lead, coach, evaluate, and hold security personnel accountable to established standards
- Order supplies
- Use Microsoft Office applications proficiently and learn new computer applications/platforms
- Remain calm and assist during medical, safety, security, and evacuation situations
- Exercise sound judgment and flexibility should difficult situations arise
- Focus on providing high-level staff oversight and exceptional customer service
- Remain positive and uplifting throughout interactions with both staff and guests
- Prioritize and multi-task
Qualifications
Required
- 5 years of security supervisor or lead experience
- High school diploma or equivalent
- At least 18 years of age
- Current first aid and CPR certifications (or within six months of hire)
- Must be able to speak, read, write and understand English
- Must successfully complete a background check and a post-offer/pre-employment drug/alcohol test
- Experience working with high volume general public
Preferred
- Prior security, law enforcement, or military experience
- Degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, or Business Administration
Physical Demands & Working Conditions
- Work a flexible schedule including evenings, weekends, and holidays as operationally needed.
- Stand and walk constantly on various surfaces (concrete and carpet)
- Climb stairs and ramps
- Work in various environments including adverse outdoor conditions such as cold, rain, or heat.
- Constant mental alertness and attention to detail
- Maintain professional appearance
This position description generally describes the principal functions of the position and the level of knowledge and skills typically required. It does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and the employee, and it is subject to change as the needs of the employer and the requirements of the job change.
Compensation
Pay is based on several factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and years of experience.
In addition to base salary, all employees receive:
- Employee PacSci Membership
- Commuter Benefits
- 403b Retirement Plan
Full-time regular employees (40 hrs/week) additionally recieve following benefits:
- Medical, Dental, Vision, basic life insurance, and disability insurance
- 4 weeks of vacation, 12 floating holidays, and sick pay
- 403(b) Retirement Savings
- Employee Assistance Program
Pacific Science Center stands with those who are courageously fighting against hate, racism, and injustice. We recognize that not being racist is not sufficient. We must be actively anti-racist, and we commit to doing so. We prioritize inclusion, diversity, equity, and access in everything we do. Curiosity and critical thinking are essential to the dialogue and changes that need to happen.
Pacific Science Center complies with federal and state disability laws and makes reasonable accommodations for applicants and employees with disabilities. If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us at HRDepartment@pacsci.org.
