Security Associate

Job Description

Job Description

Schedule (Open Availability Highly Preferred) : Must have open availability to work any shift

Pay Range: $17 hourly

About Carvana

At Carvana, we believe buying a car the old-fashioned way sucks — so we're rewriting the playbook. Yes, we're the vending machine people. Yes, we built that on purpose. And yes, we're just getting started.

We're looking for people who want to thrive in an environment of impactful change. Team spirit shows up in everything we do — every day, our passion and creativity drive the kind of innovation that moves an industry. We take big swings, set ambitious goals, and challenge each other to make data- and process-driven decisions in everything we do. Here are a few of our stories. We've been changing the game since 2013, and we're not letting up. Want the full story? Check it out here.

About the team and position

Our Safe & Secure team is the heartbeat of every Carvana location. You're the people we trust to protect our associates, our customers, and the thousands of vehicles that flow through our gates every day. Rain, shine, ice, or 110&degree; heat — the mission doesn't change, and neither does the standard.

This is a boots-on-the-ground role. We bring the strategy; you bring the hustle. From clearing snow during a winter storm to running heat-safety protocols in July, you'll be the reason our site stays open, safe, and moving. Some days you'll be at the gate — the literal face of Carvana to every associate, vendor, and visitor walking through it. Other days, you'll be out on the lot scanning vehicles, knocking out safety audits, or restocking the supplies that keep this place humming.

You won't just monitor a perimeter — you'll own it. That means spotting hazards before they become incidents, building real relationships with the folks on site, and stepping up when something needs your attention. You'll be trained and trusted to act in emergencies, partner with our Inspection Center and Logistics teams, and feed sharp, accurate intel back to your Safe & Secure leadership. This is the seasonal, winter-focused version of this role — a full-time, seasonal position with full benefits, reporting to your Safe & Secure Manager. When the weather turns, you're our front line against snow and ice, often the first person back on site in harsh conditions to make the lot safe for everyone who follows; when the weather's clear, you're a full member of the Safe & Secure team.

What you'll be doing

• Lead with a service-first mindset in every interaction.
• Live the Carvana values — and make sure they're felt by everyone you work with.
• Be the face of Carvana at the gate for associates, vendors, and visitors.
• Communicate like a pro — clear, calm, active listener, no missed signals.
• Use our Unified Security Platform to monitor live cameras, review footage, and investigate intrusion alerts so nothing on site catches us off guard.
• When things get hot, keep it cool . De-escalate, win with partners, and remember — we're all in this together .
• Run point at the gate using the Safe & Secure App (SAS App) and RFID tech, enforcing ingress/egress procedures every single time.
• Manage and document vehicle movement through the Inspection Center entrance and exit gates.
• Show up when the team needs you. You'll be trained and certified in first aid, CPR, and AED — and we expect you to use it when the moment calls for it.
• Know our emergency protocols cold so you can act decisively when seconds count.
• Keep the site operational in any weather — snow removal in winter, heat-safety protocols in summer, no excuses, no shortcuts.
• Drive a safety-first culture by spotting environmental hazards, running safety audits, and reinforcing best practices with the people around you.
• Scan thousands of vehicles a day to keep operational flow tight — between mobile rover tech and manual handheld scans, every car gets accounted for.
• Cover ground. This role involves serious walking to reach restricted or hard-to-access areas of the lot.
• Run vehicle location research and deliver clean, detailed reports to leadership when operational questions come up.
• When winter hits, this becomes your priority: be the first back on site in extreme or harsh conditions to assess the lot and get it safe and operational for the team.
• Execute snow and ice removal — plowing, shoveling, salting, and brining entry paths, employee lots, load/unload zones, gates, and the tight rows between parked vehicles where plows can't reach.
• Run salt-bin execution at Inspection Center doors, and pre-treat and re-treat danger zones — including day-2 refreeze mornings. Provide extended winter support in the 7–10 days after a storm as melt and refreeze continue, not just during the event itself.
• Operate winter equipment safely — snow plow, and with training, trucks with plow and salt-spreader attachments, skid steers, and loaders — always working in your ice cleats.

Key Metrics: 

• Unit Loss Rate versus Plan
• Safe & Secure App Execution
• Inventory Control/Accuracy and Tracking 
• Safety Incident Performance
• Snow and ice removal execution and timeliness; salt, brine, and cleat protocol compliance

What you should know/have

• 1–2 years in a customer service environment
• Strong verbal and written communication
• A track record of solid decision-making in a complex, fast-moving environment
• Ability to build strong working relationships and connect with people quickly
• Ability to organize, plan, and execute multiple tasks at once in a fast-paced setting
• Ability to handle conflict in a positive, productive way
• Able and willing to report to work and perform in extreme cold, snow, and ice — often as the first person on site
• Open availability and schedule flexibility for storms, overnights, weekends, and extended post-storm support
• Ability to safely operate a snow plow and perform physical snow and ice removal
• Focused, aware, alert, adaptable, and safety-first
• Valid driver's license; MVR check required for multiple-lot sites or roles that require driving between lots; no CDL required

We'd love it if you also have

• Familiarity with CCTV, RFID, Card Access, or other Safe & Secure technology
• Previous experience supporting an OSHA / Safety Team program
• Experience with crisis prevention and/or response plans
• Snow plow or truck-and-plow experience (ideal)
• Skid steer, loader, or heavy-equipment experience
• Brine and snow-removal experience (we're happy to train and certify)
• Transferable experience from fast-paced, high-accountability environments — you don't need prior winter-ops experience to be a great fit
• A quick-learner mindset and genuine interest in transitioning to a year-round Safe & Secure role

What we'll offer in return

• Full-time, seasonal hourly position with a competitive wage, plus a Winter Associate shift differential and experience pay (both added on top of the base wage)
• Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits
• 401(k) with company match
• A stack of perks — student loan support, vehicle discounts, pet benefits, and a lot more
• A wellness program built to keep you healthy, physically and mentally
• Real opportunities to grow your skills and share what you know across the org
• A promote-from-within culture with a startup feel — career paths can move fast around here
• A seat at one of the fastest-growing companies in the country

Other requirements

To do your job at Carvana, there are some basic requirements we want to share with you:

• Must be able to read, write, speak, and understand English
• Must be at least 18 years of age
• This position is designated as a safety-sensitive position
• Must be able to lift up to 60 pounds independently; the majority of lifting from knee to shoulder heights; other lifting required from various levels
• Must be able to carry and transport up to 60 pounds up to 20 feet
• Requires standing for extended periods of time with frequent stretching, reaching, walking, stooping, pushing, pulling, and snow and ice removal in an environment that may be cold, hot, noisy, wet, snowy, and icy, and may have fumes or odors due to vehicle maintenance
• Requires excellent visual acuity and manual dexterity
• Requires use of safety equipment that may include, but is not limited to, ice cleats, cold-weather protective gear, face shield or goggles, non-slip shoes, gloves, mask, and other protective garments and equipment
• Requires frequent driving and computer data entry
• Must adhere to regular and predictable attendance
• The facility is a 24/7 operation, and gates must be manned at all times

Of course, we'll make any reasonable accommodations for those with disabilities to perform the essential functions of their jobs.

Legal stuff

Hiring is contingent on passing a complete background check.  This role is not eligible for visa sponsorship.

Carvana is an equal employment opportunity employer.  All applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, age, mental or physical disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable law.  Carvana also prohibits harassment of applicants or employees based on any protected category.

Please note that this job description is not intended to be a comprehensive listing of activities, duties, or responsibilities required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.