Sr Specialist, Security Training and Event Operations

American Chemical Society•Washington, DC

12d•$110,000 - $130,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This role is responsible for coordinating security planning and operational support for various events, including meetings, executive events, Board activities, and special programs. The position involves conducting event risk assessments, developing emergency and contingency plans, and coordinating with internal departments, external security, law enforcement, and emergency responders. A key aspect of the role is leading after-action reviews and continuous improvement efforts for all security-related activities. The specialist will also lead security planning and preparedness for national meetings and conferences, including advance site assessments, coordination with venue management and emergency services, and managing logistics for personnel deployment. Additionally, the role involves developing event-specific emergency action plans, evacuation procedures, and crisis communications, while also supporting executive, Board, and VIP security needs. The position is also tasked with developing and delivering enterprise-wide safety and security training programs, maintaining schedules for drills and exercises, coordinating employee onboarding security orientations, and tracking training compliance. The specialist will lead the annual enterprise preparedness program across all locations, coordinating awareness campaigns, exercises, and readiness initiatives, and establishing preparedness metrics. A significant part of the role includes serving as the Safety & Emergency Management coordinator for the Columbus, Ohio campus, conducting site visits, delivering training, and coordinating local drills and first-responder relationships. The position also supports business continuity and resilience planning, testing, and crisis management activations. Budgeting for training, exercises, and event security operations, as well as managing relationships with contract security and training vendors, are also key responsibilities. Finally, the role requires participation in internal safety committees and collaboration with various departments such as HR, Facilities, IT, Communications, Legal, and Meeting Services, as well as external emergency management and public safety agencies.

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Support continuity planning, testing, and improvement activities.
Participate in crisis management activations and resilience exercises.
Track corrective actions and lessons learned.
Assist with budgets for training, exercises, and event security operations.
Coordinate relationships with contract security and training vendors.
Support procurement activities and vendor evaluations.
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.