Security Associate

Cornell University • Ithaca, MI

1d • $24 - $27 • Onsite

About The Position

The Johnson Museum’s permanent collection numbers 40,000 works, spanning six millennia and encompassing art from most world cultures. Among the strengths of the collection are the holdings of Asian art; more than 23,000 prints, drawings, and photographs ranging from the fifteenth century to the present; modern and contemporary painting and sculpture; European art from ancient times to the present; African sculpture and textiles; and pre-Columbian sculpture and ceramics. Each year the Johnson Museum mounts major exhibitions and programs that present new scholarship and fresh perspectives on the works in our collection or on temporary loan. Many of these exhibitions are inspired by the Cornell curriculum and are the product of partnerships with faculty, graduate students, other museums, research centers, scholars, cultural practitioners, and source communities. The Museum enhances and supports faculty teaching across Cornell’s schools and departments by hosting approximately 350 class sessions per academic year in the Museum’s galleries and classrooms. Educational outreach programs for the regional community are core to Cornell University’s land-grant commitment to public engagement: we serve over 6,000 schoolchildren from schools in a 90-mile radius of Ithaca and offer professional development training for regional teachers, many of whom teach in rural areas and for whom the Museum promotes intercultural understanding and global awareness.

The Museum Safety Associate supports the safety and security of the Museum’s collections, visitors, staff, and facilities through daily patrols, incident reporting, and monitoring of security systems. The role also provides backup visitor services and reception support, assists with classroom and event logistics, and responds to building or facility issues as needed. In addition, the position helps train and mentor volunteers and participates in professional development aligned with Cornell’s mission and values.

Requirements

• A cover letter and resume outlining your interest and how your experience and goals align with the potential for mutual success in the role are required for consideration.
• High School diploma and related experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated ability to remain calm and exercise good judgment in emergencies or high-pressure situations.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively and respectfully with diverse groups including staff, students, visitors, and external service providers.
• Ability to work independently, follow established protocols.
• Basic technical proficiency with security equipment (e.g., radios, detectors, alarm systems) and comfort learning new software platforms (e.g., event scheduling systems, incident reporting tools).
• Physical ability to patrol galleries and facilities, including alternating between sitting/standing for extended periods and using staircases repeatedly.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated skill in understanding cultural differences.

Nice To Haves

• Prior experience in a museum, cultural institution, or higher education setting.
• Familiarity with 25Live web-based scheduling and calendar system, EHS Incident Reporting, and facilities work order systems.
• Experience liaising with external security providers, law enforcement and/or facilities management teams.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities, resolve visitor concerns, and troubleshoot facility issues.
• Demonstrated commitment to professional development and alignment with Cornell’s mission, vision, and values.
• Experience with audio visual equipment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct regular patrols of galleries and public/non-public areas; maintain records of artwork locations and gallery conditions.
• Coordinate with other Museum staff to open and close the museum, following established protocols. Includes activating and monitoring security systems and cameras
• Enter safety incidents into the University Incident Reporting Systems.
• Regularly inspect equipment, such as 2-way radios, detectors, and alarm systems (e.g. battery replacements, logs, blueprints).
• Track and schedule/edit staff coverage calendar as needed.
• Monitor non-museum personnel such as caterers and building care staff.
• Perform back-up visitor services/reception responsibilities as needed. Responsibilities include but are not limited to: greet visitors, provide information, answer questions provide classroom and event assistance to clients and educators, ensuring smooth delivery of tech services and room setup
• Create/update 25Live entries by placing holds on all facility spaces, entering detailed event information, and aligning schedules with the in-house calendar.
• In the absence of the Building Coordinator, handle emergency facility issues, assess problems and call Cornell Facilities customer service, provide overview of situation and answer detailed questions as needed.
• Participate in training volunteers in gallery responsibilities and the proper techniques of monitoring artwork and visitors.
• Monitor, guide and mentor the students.
• Participate in projects with occasional work responsibility falling above or below current classification.
• Completion of university required compliance training and position specific security training.
• Seek out and attend professional development opportunities to increase effectiveness and sense of connection to Cornell’s mission, vision, and values.
• Position responsibilities may be modified.
• Attend staff meetings.

Benefits

• Cornell receives national recognition as an award-winning workplace for our health, wellbeing, and sustainability.
• Our benefits programs include comprehensive health care options, generous retirement contributions, access to wellness programs, and employee discounts with local and national retail brands.
• We invite you to follow this link to get more information about our benefits: Understand Your Benefits | Working at Cornell.
• Our leave provisions include health and personal leave, three weeks of vacation and 13 holidays: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Memorial Day, Juneteenth, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the day after, and an end of the year winter break from December 25-January 1.
• To offer greater flexibility for observing faiths and traditions we also offer two additional floating holidays.
• Learn more about our generous leave provisions: Holiday and Accrued Time Off | Working at Cornell
• Cornell's impressive educational benefits include tuition-free Extramural Study and Employee Degree Program, tuition aid for external education, and Cornell Children's Tuition Assistance Program.
• Learn more about our extensive educational benefits: Education Benefits | Working at Cornell
• Follow this link to learn more about the Total Rewards of Working at Cornell:Total Rewards | Working at Cornell.

What This Job Offers

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