Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Security Guard (Special Police Officer)

Washington, District of Columbia Full time

Security Guard (Special Police Officer)

Department: Other Agencies and Independent Organizations

Location(s): Washington, District of Columbia

Salary Range: $51957 - $67543 Per Year

Job Summary: The National Gallery of Art welcomes all people to explore art, creativity, and our shared humanity. Millions of people come through our doors each year, with even more online, making us one of the most visited art museums in the world. Our renowned collection includes over 160,000 works of art, from the ancient world to today. Admission to the West and East Buildings, Sculpture Garden, special exhibitions, and public programs is always free.

Major Duties:

  • The position of Special Police Officer is located in the Office of Protection Services. Special Police Officers are armed and commissioned as United States Special Police Officers, have arrest authority, and normally serve in uniform in the performance of his/her duties. They serve in various assignments over a period, during hours when the National Gallery of Art is open to the public and during non-public and non-operating nighttime hours. Deny admission to undesirable or unauthorized persons, prevents unauthorized removal of Gallery property, answers inquiries from visitors and aids persons in distress. Serve at stationary posts or patrols heavily trafficked public areas or locations that are vulnerable to crimes against persons, theft, vandalism and other damage. Detect and prevent offenses, pursue and arrest violators. Make thorough inspection after closing hours of exhibit areas, building facilities, and perimeters to detect and report breaches of security, damage to property, fire, and other safety hazards. Assist coworkers, Gallery Staff, supervisors and the public with information, instructions, and directions while maintaining a pleasant and tactful manner at all times.

Qualifications: Conditions of Employment Continued Incumbents are required to annually re-qualify with the department's service weapon and recertify in First Aid, CPR, and physical assessment. Failure to re-qualify or re-certify will result in removal from the position. All applicants appointed to Law Enforcement positions must attend and successfully complete NGA training program. Applicants who fail to successfully meet this requirement will be subject to termination. You must be able to become Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), Automatic External Defibrillator (AED) and First Aid qualified and have the ability to read and understand written material in language of the security force. Lautenberg Amendment: This position is covered by the 1996 Lautenberg Amendment to the Gun Control Act of 1968. A person convicted of a misdemeanor or felony crime of domestic violence is not eligible for the position. Must be able to lift and carry safety equipment that may weigh up to 20 lbs. such as a fire extinguisher. Must be able to wear an equipment belt consisting of a weapon, keys, flashlight, radio, and other items that may have a total weight of 10 pounds during his/her tour of duty. Must be able to ascend and descend stairways, fixed vertical ladders, and spiral stairways. Must be able to walk patrols in low light areas, on uneven surfaces, in both the interior and exterior of the Gallery for up to 2 1⁄2 hours continuously without a break. Must be able to push, pull, slide or lift doors, hatches or gates that may weigh up to 60 lbs. Must be able to climb over or crawl under fixed obstructions such as utility pipes, ventilation ducts and other objects in non-public areas. Note: Competition for Security Guard positions is restricted by law to persons entitled to veterans' preference as long as such applicants are available for appointment. Specialized Experience Statement: Candidates must possess at least one year of specialized experience, equivalent in responsibility to the GS-05 level in the Federal service or private sector, specialized experience is defined as: experience involving the protection of property against such hazards as fire, theft, damage, accident, or trespass; or maintaining order and protecting life. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. DRIVER'S LICENSE IS REQUIRED AND YOU MUST UPLOAD A COPY OF YOUR DRIVER'S LICENSE WITH YOUR APPLICATION. Medical Requirements The duties of these positions require moderate to arduous physical exertion and/or duties of a hazardous nature. The following medical requirements apply to all applicants: good near and distant vision, ability to distinguish basic colors, and ability to hear the conversational voice. Agencies may establish additional, job-related physical or medical requirements provided that the specific position(s) involves the arduous or hazardous duties to which the requirements relate. Applicants and employees must have the capacity to perform the essential functions of the position without risk to themselves or others. In most instances, a specific medical condition or impairment will not automatically disqualify an applicant or employee. A medical condition or impairment is disqualifying only if the condition, for good medical reason, precludes assignment to or warrants restriction from the duties of the specific position. For some positions, the loss or impairment of a specific function may be compensated for by the satisfactory use of a prosthesis or mechanical aid. Reasonable accommodation shall also be considered in determining an applicant's ability to perform the duties of a position. Reasonable accommodation may include, but is not limited to the use of assistive devices, job modification or restructuring, provision of readers and interpreters, or adjusted work schedules. You must meet all qualification and eligibility requirements by the closing date of this announcement.

How to Apply: Please read the entire announcement and all the instructions before you begin an application. To apply and be considered for this position, you must complete all required questionnaires, assessments and submit all required documentation as specified in the How to Apply and Required Documents section. The application process is as follows: Click on the "Apply Online" button on the upper right side of the page. You must have a USAJOBS account and be logged in. You must have a completed resume no more than 2 pages. (You may use the Resume Builder in USAJOBS) You must respond to all applicant assessment questions, carefully following all instructions provided. You will be able to upload additional supporting documentation, which may include, but not limited to transcripts, notification of personnel actions (SF-50), certifications and verification of veterans status (SF-15, DD-214) The complete application package, including any additional supporting documents required for this position is due in the National Gallery of Art Personnel Office on the closing date of the announcement by 11:59 PM Eastern Time. NOTE: Applicants who cannot apply on-line must request a hard copy application packet from the Agency Contact listed in the vacancy announcement. Resumes and/or supporting documentation alone will not be considered without the inclusion of a hard copy application packet. The complete package is due no later than 5:30 PM Eastern Time on the closing date of this announcement. The National Gallery of Art receives many applications for each job. Each application is reviewed carefully which may take a few weeks. You may also check your application status by logging into www.usajobs.gov and selecting the tab "My USAJOBS".

Application Deadline: 2026-05-05