Security Officer

Security Officer Position at Seattle Center

Seattle Center is a 74-acre civic, arts, and cultural gathering place in the heart of Seattle and is home to more than 30 partner organizations. Anchored by world-class attractions, historic venues, public art, and a dynamic calendar of free and affordable events centered around the iconic International Fountain, Seattle Center brings together arts, culture, sports, and community year-round.

Seattle Center is seeking two qualified Security Officers for Waterfront Park second shift operations. Security officers patrol the Seattle Center Campus and Waterfront Park grounds, secure the facilities, provide assistance for security, crowd control, accident or crime scene protection as well as interact with members of other work units and other external agencies on a regular basis by radio, telephone and in person.

The Emergency Services Unit places a very strong emphasis upon providing excellent customer service to guests, clients and staff as well as helping to ensure their safety and enjoyment while they are at Seattle Center and the Waterfront Park. The position exercises discretion and judgment in handling security matters, using security and de-escalation methods and prioritizing the handling of multiple incidents, but does not have the formal arrest authority of a sworn officer.

The unit works 365 days a year on multiple shifts and operates 24 hours a day. The positions we are looking to fill are for 2nd and 3rd shifts and will include weekends (both Saturday and Sunday).

Job Responsibilities

Here is more of what you will be doing:

• Patrol grounds in a vehicle, on bike, and on foot.
• Provide excellent customer service to guests, clients, members of the public and staff of diverse backgrounds, as well as help to ensure their safety and enjoyment while visiting the Waterfront Park and Seattle Center.
• May be assigned to work communications center to monitor various fire alarms, as well as provide building access security to those areas with strict access limitations
• Inform community members of laws and regulations.
• Prevent and check for potential property damage and safety hazards.
• Report and respond to emergencies, as well as administer first aid.
• Investigate situations and write reports.
• Train temporary staff.
• Communicate clearly to a diverse group of guests, clients, and the public.
• Speak, read, and write fluently in English to explain rules and regulations on safety issues.
• Must have the ability to write incident reports and enter patrol logs on a computer.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Requires a minimum of one year security work experience (or a combination of education and/or training and/or experience which provides an equivalent background required to perform the work of the class).

The most successful candidates will have:

• Excellent interpersonal and conflict resolution skills. Ability to train staff to communicate clearly and diplomatically with the public while enforcing security rules, often in stressful situations. Ability to resolve conflicts between the public and/or staff and negotiate solutions without resorting to force or provoking unneeded conflict. Ability to persuade. Ability to elicit cooperation and compliance under difficult or stressful circumstances.
• Leadership competencies that encourage open and transparent communication and creates a culture of belonging amongst staff.
• At least one-year broad range of security experience with large crowds for Event Support, Parks & Recreation, public transportation, hospitality/guest services, or other similar types of customer focused security experience. Range of experience includes providing security and safety to public grounds and the general public in an event-support-type or other open-to-the-public facility.
• Training in law enforcement, military, public safety, or other security areas within the last ten years.
• Demonstrated knowledge and application of principles and methods of buildings and grounds security.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated experience interacting successfully with a diverse population.
• Flexibility, adaptability, and ability to change in a dynamic environment.
• Strong documentation experience.
• Ability to use and operate Microsoft Office Suite.

License, Certification, and Other Requirements:

• Current Washington State driver license is required.

Work Environment/Physical Demands:

• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds occasionally.
• Must be available to work all shifts, weekends, and holidays.
• Stand, walk, and bend for extended periods of time.

Additional Information

The full pay range for these regular step-progression positions is $34.36 - $41.69 per hour. New employees begin at Step 1 of the pay progression, which is $34.36 hourly. Current City employees' starting rate of pay will be based on Personnel Rules regarding promotions.

On-call/temporary employees begin at step 1, which is $34.36 hourly. Intermittent employees do not get salary step increases. You'll also get premium pay that increases the more hours you work. (Starts at an additional 5% on top of your base rate, up to 25!)

Applications are reviewed after the posting closes. You must submit the following items to be considered for this position no later than 4:00 pm Pacific Time on Tuesday, June 23, 2026.

1. Completed NEOGOV online application.
2. Supplemental questionnaire responses.
3. Cover letter describing how your skills and experience align with the stated job responsibilities and qualifications.
4. Current résumé indicating relevant experience and education.

Your application may be rejected as incomplete if you do not include the relevant information in the application. Cover letters and/or resumes are not accepted in lieu of a completed application. Applications and/or Supplemental Questionnaires that state "see my resume" or "see my personnel file" are considered incomplete and will not be accepted.

IMPORTANT NOTE: To align with our commitment to equity and the City of Seattle's Race and Social Justice Initiative, Seattle Center is collecting cover letters and resumes without personal identifiers to achieve a blind screening process.

Driving Record - If you are selected to advance in this hiring process, you may be asked to obtain a complete 5 Year driving record from the Department of Licensing.

Pre-Employment Physical - Due to the tasks associated with this role, you will be required to successfully pass a preemployment physical.

Background Check - Applicants must successfully pass a background check, which will be conducted in accordance with Seattle's Fair Chance Employment Ordinance, SMC 14.17. Applicants will be given a chance to explain or correct background information and provide verifiable information of good conduct and rehabilitation.

Individuals selected to fill this position may be eligible to receive Language Premium Pay (SMC 4.20.360), which provides a $200.00 monthly stipend to qualified bilingual employees who are properly evaluated and assigned to provide direct communication in-language, interpretation, or translation services to the public on behalf of the City of Seattle.

The City of Seattle recognizes every City employee must play a role in ending institutional and structural racism. Our culture is the result of our behavior, our personal commitments, and the ways that we courageously share our perspectives and encourage others to do the same. To cultivate an antiracist culture, we seek employees who will engage in dismantling racist policies and procedures, unlearn the way things have always been done, and create and provide equitable processes and services. Seattle Office of Civil Rights)

Benefits – The City of Seattle offers a comprehensive benefits package including vacation, holiday, and sick leave as well as medical, dental, vision, life, and long-term disability insurance for employees and their dependents. More information about employee benefits is available on the City's website at:

For helpful tips on the application process and recruitment process: Working at the City - Human Resources | seattle.gov

More about Seattle Center: Seattle Center welcomes nearly 12 million visits annually, generating nearly $3.3 billion in total economic activity, supporting 19,400 jobs, and producing more than $37 million in local tax revenue for the City of Seattle. With the support of our Official Partners — Alaska Airlines, The Climate Pledge, Coors Light, Pepsi, Symetra, T-Mobile, and WaFd Bank — Seattle Center is the #1 most-visited arts and cultural destination in the Pacific Northwest.