Security Ranger - Part-Time

Are you passionate about ensuring safety and security, while creating a welcoming environment for all? Join us at The Morton Arboretum as a Security Ranger, where you will serve in a front-line role, providing great customer service and protecting our collections and grounds. In this dynamic position, you’ll patrol our expansive grounds, utilize our education-based policy enforcement, and assist guests and staff with a friendly smile. From implementing emergency responses to supporting special events, your contributions will help ensure a positive guest experience for all. If you are ready to blend professional security skills with a commitment to exceptional customer service, we invite you to be part of our mission to safeguard nature and foster a sense of pride in our beautiful landscape. 

Position Summary: Responsible for the safety and security of The Morton Arboretum grounds, buildings, employees, and visitors. Perform a variety of tasks including security and safety operations, enforcement of Arboretum policies, and general assistance to staff and visitors. Present the Arboretum’s mission and policies in a courteous and professional manner, fostering the public’s sense of pride and responsibility toward the preservation of the Arboretum and its facilities.

Essential Functions:

• Patrol Arboretum grounds by vehicle and foot to assure the security and safety of visitors and staff. Follow procedures to open the grounds and buildings, including disarming alarms each morning. Each evening, secure Arboretum gates and buildings, including setting alarms. Perform a thorough check of the roads and parking areas when closing to make sure all areas are free of visitors.
• Provide friendly and welcoming internal and external customer service delivery at all times. Assist guests in wayfinding and accurately communicate Arboretum activities and policies.
• Ensure that guest and staff needs are met in a timely and friendly manner, including following-up and resolving customer service issues. Provide timely information to other Arboretum staff regarding guest interactions, comments, and suggestions.
• Recognize fire and safety hazards both in the buildings and on the grounds. Report those infractions in writing and/or take necessary corrective actions immediately and contact a security supervisor.
• Understand and initiate multiple Arboretum emergency response plans. Assist in coordinating emergency response/rescue efforts with county and state emergency agencies in necessary situations. Respond to activated fire and security intrusion alarms as necessary. Perform First Aid, CPR, and use the AED to the expected level of certification. Communicate via radio with responding emergency units.
• Provide interdepartmental support during special events and facility rental events.
• May assist with regular pick-up and delivery of money deposits and change orders from various sites to the Business Office.
• Keep up-to-date on legal/best practice security conduct, methods, and laws, including state criminal codes and state wildlife codes as they pertain to enforcement and protection of the property, staff, and visitors.
• Take initial reports of vehicular accidents, thefts, property damage, personal injuries, disturbances, and other incidents and crimes, including interviews of victims and witnesses if pertinent. Compile and submit patrol log of activity, events, security infractions and other critical information. Provide copies of reports to a security supervisor for review.
• Participate in animal control duties including capturing of nuisance/injured wildlife and transporting wildlife to appropriate agency for disposition.
• As needed, serve as the Ranger on Duty by being the primary radio and phone contact person, which may include during overnight hours.
• As needed, provide traffic direction, capacity management, and vehicle parking during peak visitation days and special events.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications: High school diploma required. Associate’s degree in Criminal Justice, Security Administration, or related field preferred. 2+ years experience in a security related position preferred. Certification in CPR/AED and First Aid required or ability to obtain within six months of hire (classes provided on-site). Ability to work independently, without direct supervision required. Ability to competently provide testimony and generate accurate reports for use in courtroom environment or insurance matters if called upon. May have exposure to blood borne pathogens as a result of job duties. Optional vaccination (Hepatitis B vaccine) will be made available. Must possess a valid driver’s license, which is subject to insurability and an annual Motor Vehicle Record (MVR) report. Basic proficiency with Microsoft Office, Google applications, and weather/radar apps beneficial. Must present a professional image to the public by following the Ranger dress code.

Success Factors: Customer service oriented individual who is able to work with employees, visitors, and contractors of diverse ages and backgrounds. Good sense of responsibility in the area of public safety. Ability to respond to and evaluate stressful situations and react calmly and effectively, while demonstrating skill in handling situations firmly, courteously, tactfully and impartially. Good written and oral communication skills. Take the initiative to be well informed on current Arboretum programs and policies. Ability to embrace and align with the organization’s employee core values to be inclusive, take ownership, work together, keep learning and make the Arboretum exceptional.

Physical Demands and Work Environment: The physical demands and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions.

• Physical Demands: Requires significant amount of physical activity: walking for extended periods of time over various trail conditions and on asphalt; limited lifting and carrying (up to 60 lbs.), and climb stairs and ladder. Vision in the normal visual range with or without correction. Hearing in the normal audio range with or without correction. Sense of smell in the normal range.
• Work Environment: Work is performed in a combined indoor and outdoor setting. This position requires regular on-site presence.
• Equipment: Security vehicles, Cushman cart, bicycle, general office equipment, two-way radio, Automated External Defibrillator.
• Schedule: Hours vary and will include weekdays, weekends, nights, overnights and holidays.

The expected hiring range is between $24.00 - $25.00/hour based on experience that will be evaluated during the candidate selection process, along with internal equity. 

The Morton Arboretum is a champion for diversity, supporting a culture of inclusion that attracts, inspires, and engages people to achieve success. The Arboretum is committed to hire and develop employees based on job-related qualifications irrespective of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, or veteran status. To increase diversity in professions related to the public garden realm, we encourage applications from underrepresented minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans.  

The Morton Arboretum is dedicated to complying with our obligations as an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All applicants are guaranteed equal consideration for employment.