Security Guard 1 / On-Call

Salary: $22.07 - $29.52 Hourly
Location : Pierce County - Tacoma, WA
Job Type: On-Call
Job Number: 2026-WSHS-004
Department: Washington State Historical Society
Opening Date: 06/08/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
Salary Information: The high end of the salary range, Step M is typically a longevity step


Description
Security Guard 1 / On-Call

*This position will remain on-call and will not become permanent.
**This position is eligible to accrue annual and sick leave based on hours worked.
This posting is open for one (1) position that is on-call for various shifts that include evenings and weekends and to cover shifts primarily for planned absences of day shift staff and/or to provide security during programs or rental events.
--If you do not have a reasonable amount of availability for these shifts you should not apply.
Schedule: Varies according to need, but will include day, evening, weekend, and holiday shifts not to exceed 69 hours per month.
**Not eligible for telework.

What you will be doing:
You will be vital to the success of the organization by providing superior front-line customer service to visitors, safety and security of the buildings, its contents, and occupants. You will ensure that a detailed account of safety and security tasks are recorded accurately, timely, and concisely. You will ensure the building is free from safety hazards and correct &/or report any deficiencies for action.

A little about us: Founded in 1891 and now into its second century of service, the Washington State Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and vividly presenting Washington's diverse and storied history. Our work illuminates the past, enlightens the present, and informs the future.

Our mission is to partner with our communities to explore how history connects us all. Our vision is to be the recognized destination for Washington State history. We achieve this by serving as our state's primary history educator, making history relevant to our modern lives, and supporting civic dialogue where all are welcome.

The Society serves individuals and organizations statewide through publications, outreach programs, curriculum, free virtual public programs, and other online services. However, the majority of the Society's interactions with the public occur at the Washington State History Museum, located in Tacoma, Washington. The Museum traditionally serves more than 80,000 annually, including more than 15,000 K-12 school children visiting the museum on a field trip. We also welcome more than 10,000 visitors free of charge each year through a variety of access programs.

We are much more than a regional museum. We continually ask ourselves how we can better serve Washingtonians across our state. Our Heritage Capital Projects grant program distributes up to $10M per biennium to fund public heritage, history interpretation, and historic preservation projects across the state. Our popular public history magazine COLUMBIA is enjoyed by readers of all ages. And the Historical Society's collections at our Research Center, along with a digital collections database, are a resource to scholars and researchers from across the nation.

The Washington State Historical Society is a dynamic place to work with a dedicated staff. We expand our impact by connecting with communities across the Evergreen State through exhibitions, heritage projects, workshops, public programs, publications, and conversations. Our goal is to bring history into focus in such a way that the participant cannot help but discover valuable insights from and feel deep connections with the people and events of the past.

We have an active commitment to inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility and are looking for team members who have a passion for professionalism and serving the public, and a desire to contribute to a positive work culture.

Duties
Some of what you'll be doing includes:

• Provide museum access, and patrol museum grounds
• Provide written daily security report
• Provide security report for observed discrepancies and/or incidents
• Enforce museum rules and policies, and monitor and enforce parking lot rules and fees
• Provide visitor assistance
• Observe and report safety and security matters
• Monitor and control access to museum premises
• Enter parking registration information & violation information
• Set up & breakdown room layouts
• Provide access for rental deliveries
• Escort potential rental clients and answer questions
• Performs custodial and grounds work
• Remove trash and recycling from building and grounds

Qualifications

Required:

• High School diploma or GED
• 1-year prior experience in security, military basic training, or law enforcement
• Able to do sustained physical work, including working from a step ladder.
• Able to lift/move/transfer 50 lbs.

Special Requirements:

• CPR/First Aid & AED certification within 6 months of employment
• Must pass a background check

Competencies:

• Accountability - Accepts personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work. Believes that the results achieved directly result from personal decisions and actions. Acknowledges and corrects mistakes.
• Interpersonal Skills - Interacts with co-workers, clients and others in a positive manner. Practices active listening. Is open and honest. Treats others with respect, kindness and consideration.
• Productivity - Produces quality, desired results in an efficient manner. Manages resources efficiently.
• Safety - Performs work in a safe manner at all times. Assesses the work site for hazards. Maintains an organized work area. Identifies, corrects and reports unsafe situations. Seeks guidance from supervisor and safety committee if needed. Attends and actively participates in safety training events. Considers the safety of other employees and visitors on the job site.

Working Conditions:
Majority of work is inside controlled environment building. Minor work is performed outside. Hazards exist pertaining to safety/first aid responses - PPE provided. This position performs sustained physical work, including working from a step ladder.

Supplemental Information
Conditions of Employment:
Please provide the following documents in order to be considered; failure to do so may result in you not being considered for the position:

• A current list of at least three (3) professional references with current contact information (attached or available to provide at the time of interview)

NOTE: By submitting these materials, you are indicating that all information is true and correct. The state may verify information. Any untruthful or misleading information is cause for removal from the applicant pool or dismissal if employed. A resume will not substitute for completing the "duties summary" section of the application. Please do not refer to resume for detail, or your application may be disqualified.

• Background Check Notice: Prior to any new appointment into the Department of Enterprise Services, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant's suitability and competence to perform in the position.
• Union Inclusion: This position is included in a bargaining unit represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees (WFSE).

Opportunity for All: The Washington State Historical Society celebrates our differences and we are committed to a workplace that supports equal opportunity employment and inclusion regardless of race, creed, color, national origin, citizenship or immigration status, marital status, families with children (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sex, sexual orientation, gender identity diversity, age, status as a protected veteran, honorably discharged veteran or military status, status as an individual with the presence of any sensory, mental, or physical disability or the use of a trained dog guide or service animal by a person with disabilities or other applicable legally protected characteristics. We will also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories, consistent with applicable federal, state and local laws.

You are welcome to include the name and pronoun you would like to be referred to in your materials and we will honor this as you interact with our organization.

Contact Information: Applicants who are deaf or hard of hearing may call through the Washington Relay Service by dialing 7-1-1 or View phone number on click.appcast.io.

For questions about this recruitment or to request a reasonable accommodation in the application process, contact Rachel Vaughan by emailing .
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.

We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.

Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.

Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.


Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.

Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.

To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.

Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.

Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.

The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.

Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.

Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.

Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.

Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.

Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.


Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.

Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.


Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.

Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with (1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.

Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.

As provided in , an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.


Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.

Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.

Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.

Additional Leave
Leave Sharing

Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay

Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.

Updated 01-07-2026
01


Are you willing to undergo a background check as a condition of employment?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you willing and able to stand and walk on various types of surfaces, such as concrete for extended periods of time (up to four hours)?

• Yes
• No

03


Are you willing to wear a uniform?

• Yes
• No

04


Are you available to work weekends, varying shifts (including Thursday, Friday, and Saturday days and/or evenings until 1 a.m.?)

• Yes
• No

05


Do you have at least a high school diploma or GED?

• Yes
• No

06


How many months of security experience do you have in a position where you were required to use a radio, telephone or other communications equipment while responding to an emergency? (security, military basic training, or law enforcement)

• 0-11 months
• 12-23 months
• 24-35 months
• 36-47 months
• 48 months or more

07


From the question above, state what job(s) this experience will clearly be found.**If this doesn't apply to you, indicate "n/a" in this space.
08


Are you able to move/lift/transfer up to 50 lbs.?

• Yes
• No

09


I am willing and physically able to be trained in and use de-escalation, personal safety, and/or physical restraint techniques.

• Yes
• No

10


Do you possess a current valid CPR Certification?

• Yes, I have a current certification
• No, but I'm willing and able to obtain one within 6 months of hire
• Neither of these apply

11


Are you willing and able to perform light custodial duties as mentioned in the posting?

• Yes
• No

12


How did you hear about this job posting?

• Careers.wa.gov / Governmentjobs.com
• College Job Board
• Friend
• Indeed
• Job Board
• LinkedIn
• Other

13


We would like to know where you heard about this position.If you selected College Job Board, Job Fair, Job Board, or Other, please let us know the specific name of the college, job board, or place you heard about this position.If you selected a specifically named job board or webpage (listed above), please enter "n/a".
Required Question