Security/Public Safety Officer - Patrol Historic Area

Who We Are

Founded in 1926, the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation is a private, not-for-profit educational, historic, and cultural institution that owns and operates one of the largest and best-known museum complexes in the world. Our mission is “that the future may learn from the past” through preserving and restoring 18^th-century Williamsburg, Virginia’s colonial capital. We engage, inform, and inspire people to learn about this historic capital, the events that occurred here, and the diverse peoples who helped shape a new nation.

Today, Colonial Williamsburg is the largest living history museum in the U.S. The Historic Area is the 301-acre restored colonial capital with 88 original buildings and 525 buildings reconstructed to how they appeared in the 18th century through extensive archaeological, architectural, and documentary research. The Historic Area is staffed by highly trained, historically dressed interpreters and expert tradespeople who bring the 18th century to life. The Foundation also owns and operates two world-class museums, the DeWitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum, and the Abby Aldrich Rockefeller Folk Art Museum, and a renowned research library, the John D Rockefeller Jr Library.

Additionally, Colonial Williamsburg is home to five world class accommodations at the Williamsburg Inn, Williamsburg Lodge Autograph Collection, the Griffin Hotel, the Williamsburg Woodlands Hotels and Suites and the unique Colonial Houses in the Historical Area. Visitors may also indulge in food and drink at our many on site restaurants and taverns that blend a historically inspired dining experience with today’s evolved tastes. Each year over 5 million people visit Williamsburg and another 20 million engage with us digitally.

About the Position

Public Safety Officers patrol all Colonial Williamsburg properties to ensure the safety of employees, guests, contractors, and property. They monitor conditions, respond promptly to emergencies and calls for service, enforce Foundation rules, assist and escort individuals, and provide first aid, CPR, and AED support as needed. Officers document incidents, support communications operations, and maintain positive interactions with the public to reduce risks and enhance safety.

Main Duties:

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Conduct routine patrols and inspections of Colonial Williamsburg properties, including historic sites, museums, hotels, restaurants, retail locations, golf courses, and parking areas.
• Document unusual conditions, situations, or events, and report findings accurately and promptly to management.
• Monitor safety conditions and report deficiencies.
• Provide assistance and backup to other Public Safety staff and the public as needed.
• Perform opening and closing procedures for designated buildings.
• Detect and investigate crimes or unusual activities, including surveillance, interviewing victims, suspects, and witnesses, collecting evidence, and reporting findings to the shift supervisor.
• Mediate disputes, maintain order, and respond to disturbances.
• Administer first aid, CPR, and operate AEDs, assisting incapacitated persons when necessary.
• Enforce Foundation rules and regulations and control access to restricted areas.
• Relieve communications operators as needed, being familiar with alarm systems, communications equipment, logs, records, and CAD systems.
• Escort employees and guests, set up crowd, traffic, and parking control equipment.
• Maintain open communication to foster positive relationships with employees, guests, and residents and reduce the potential for crime.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

This is a non-exempt position, eligible to receive overtime in accordance with the Fair Labor
Standards Act (FLSA). This position may be subject to overtime during high peak times, etc. as
directed and approved by the supervisor.

Required Education and Experience:

• High school diploma or equivalent.

Must possess a valid Commonwealth of Virginia driver’s license and have an acceptable driving record based on The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation’s criteria.
o Must be able to provide a 5-year Motor Vehicle Record prior to employment
o Must be at least 21 years of age
o May not have more than 1 moving violation or at fault accident within 12 months
o May not have more than 2 moving violations or at fault accidents within 36 months
o May not have any serious motor vehicle violations including but not limited to
excessive speeding, reckless driving, DUI/DWI, suspended or revoked license, etc.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of public contact experience.
• Two years of college coursework.
• One year of experience with Colonial Williamsburg.
• Current certification in CPR, first aid, and AED use.

Key Skills / Competencies:

• Excellent public contact skills, including the ability to interact effectively under stressfulcircumstances.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to read, write, and prepare reports using a computer.
• Sound judgment and decision-making under pressure.
• No history of criminal convictions, except minor traffic violations.
• Ability to qualify annually in CPR, first aid, and AED use.
• Flexibility to work irregular or extended hours, including rotating shifts, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
• As an essential employee, ability to report to and remain at work during poor weather, storm events, or emergency conditions.
• Must pass pre-employment substance abuse testing and be subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.
• Obtain and maintain Virginia Department of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) certification as an unarmed security officer within 120 days of hire.

Physical and Environmental Demands:

• Standing, walking, sitting, talking, hearing, using hands/fingers, reaching 5–8 hours per shift.
• Climbing or balancing, stooping, kneeling, crouching, or crawling 2–5 hours per shift.
• Lifting up to 20-25 pounds frequently and up to 100 pounds occasionally with assistance.
• Work primarily performed outdoors, with exposure to varying weather conditions including heat, cold, rain, and snow.
• Regular use of radios, AEDs, and other emergency equipment.
• Exposure to high noise levels from alarms, crowds, or traffic.
• Vision and hearing sufficient to assess situations, read reports, and respond to emergencies.

Typical Work Schedule:

Full time, 40 hours per week