Asset Protection Associate - Columbia Ctr

Penney OpCo LLC • Kennewick, WA

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The Asset Protection Associate helps protect store assets by detecting and investigating theft, fraud, and suspicious activity. The role uses CCTV, sales-floor observations, exception reports, and referrals to gather and document evidence, follows company policy and AP directives when making apprehensions, and may conduct external interviews in accordance with local laws and company policy. The associate maintains investigation records, supports internal investigations as directed, analyzes intelligence about individuals and booster groups, attends court hearings as required, and maintains professional relationships with local law enforcement. Travel to stores may be necessary.

The role also supports store safety by coaching associates, communicating shrink and safety topics, identifying and addressing hazards, assisting with incident investigations and reports, and responding to emergencies, critical incidents, business disruptions, or natural disasters. The associate may assist with Asset Protection audits and is expected to meet established standards for service, productivity, and attendance.

Requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• AP Associates in the AP Shared Services staffing model must have reliable transportation and be able to travel to designated stores as assigned.

Nice To Haves

• One or more years of retail work experience, Asset Protection or security experience, or equivalent leadership experience or education.
• High school diploma or equivalent work experience.
• Associate, bachelor's, or bachelor's of science degree in Criminal Justice or Business Management.

Responsibilities

• Observe activity and use CCTV and sales-floor observations to detect theft, fraud, or suspicious behavior and collect investigative evidence.
• Follow Asset Protection directives and company policy when making apprehensions.
• Complete company investigation routines to identify and resolve theft, and document each stage appropriately.
• Conduct external interviews with customers and contractors suspected of theft, following local laws and company policy.
• Report suspected fraud and company-policy infractions to Asset Protection and/or store leadership.
• Create and manage records for apprehensions, witness statements, evidence retention, and recovered merchandise disposition using approved company methods.
• Collect evidence, monitor associate activity, or serve as an interview witness for internal investigations when directed by Asset Protection leadership.
• Proactively identify potential theft and fraud through observation, exception reports, and referrals.
• Investigate suspicious behavior by collecting intelligence and documenting behavior.
• Attend court hearings as required, update files with outcomes, and maintain professional relationships with local law enforcement.
• Travel to stores as necessary.
• Analyze intelligence on individuals and booster groups involved in theft.
• Support a safety culture through impressions of control, coaching, and recognition.
• Assist store leadership in morning meetings by communicating current shrinkage and safety topics to associates.
• Walk the store to identify hazards, correct minor hazards on the floor, and report larger concerns or recurring issues to leadership.
• Provide emergency or critical incident response and assist with incident investigations and associated reports.
• Assist with Asset Protection audits as needed.
• Coach associates to keep work areas and the sales floor free of hazards.
• Support stores during critical incidents, business disruptions, and natural disasters.
• Meet established performance standards, including service, productivity, and attendance.

Benefits

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Term life insurance
• Paid vacation
• Paid holidays
• 401(k) with company match
• Associate discount on JCPenney merchandise
• Additional compensation for eligible store hourly associates scheduled to work on a designated holiday

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED