Security Guard

Position Title:  Security Guard

Department: Safety & Security

Supervisor: Safety & Security Manager, Environmental Health &Safety Director

Position Status: Full-time/Nonexempt

Company Overview:

Nashville Zoo is dedicated to inspiring a culture of understanding and discovery of our natural world through conservation, innovation, and leadership. With a diverse collection of animals and a commitment to wildlife preservation, we provide engaging experiences for visitors of all ages.

Position Description:

The Security Guard is responsible for maintaining the park in a safe and secure condition. The Security Guard will perform patrols throughout their work shift and address any Guest and/or Staff security concerns that may emerge. Security Guard is responsible for protecting zoo assets. Security Guard will be responsible for communication of Severe Weather responses and participate in all of the zoos emergency protocols. Security Guard is responsible for the coordination of parking guests when required. Security Guards work various scheduled shifts throughout each 24 hour period, seven days a week, including working weekends, holidays and after hour events as assigned.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for performing park wide security patrols throughout assigned shift.
• Maintain regular and reliable attendance
• Maintain professional conduct at all times and consistently model the organization’s values in all interactions with colleagues, guests, and stakeholders.
• Responsible for identifying any incidents and reporting them to direct supervisor.
• Responsible for monitoring weather conditions and communicating status to zoo staff and guests when action is required.
• Responsible for ensuring that the zoos security systems are in working order.
• Responsible for coordinating staff efforts in efficiently parking guests when they arrive and assisting them when exiting.
• Responsible for maintaining a daily activity report and preparation of incident reports for any occurrences during the shift.
• Perform all other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Skills:

• Ability to work with general public and children while representing the Nashville Zoo in a positive manner
• Ability to self-direct work tasks while ensuring safety and productivity.
• Ability to communicate effectively and de-escalate volatile situations
• Ability to prepare accurate written daily incident reports and logs at end of each shift
• Ability to think effectively and act appropriately in the moment.
• Ability to represent the organization and maintain professionalism at all times.
• Ability to operate a variety of zoo owned vehicles.

Education/ Experience:

• Required to hold a current State of TN Guard Certification with Dallas endorsement.
• Minimum (2) year of experience working in the Security field
• Ability to obtain a valid Tennessee Driver's License and to operate a motor vehicle
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills

Physical Responsibilities:

• Staff must frequently stand and walk for most of an 8–10‑hour shift and regularly bend, kneel, reach, climb, and perform repetitive motions while cleaning, maintaining grounds, or performing facilities repairs. These roles require frequently lifting, carrying, pushing, and pulling up to 50 lbs and occasionally heavier items with assistance, as well as safely navigating ladders, stairs, uneven surfaces, and wet or slippery areas. Adequate vision, hearing, hand dexterity, and clear communication are necessary to operate tools, equipment, vehicles, and radios safely. Work occurs both indoors and outdoors year‑round in all weather conditions, with routine exposure to dust, dirt, chemicals, cleaning agents, noise, and equipment vibration. Positions may involve using power tools, machinery, or motorized vehicles and require adherence to established safety procedures. PPE such as gloves, protective footwear, eye and hearing protection, or respirators may be required depending on the task. Schedules may include early mornings, evenings, weekends, holidays, and occasional overtime based on operational needs. The role must learn new tasks, remember processes, maintain focus, complete task independently, and make timely decisions in the context of a workflow. 

  Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions. 

Work Schedule:

Full-time position, averaging 40 hours per week.

Available shifts include weekdays, weekends, holidays and special events.

Pre-employment requirements:

Nashville Zoo is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and maintains a drug-free work environment. All employment is at-will.

• All candidates are required to successfully complete a criminal background check and drug screening prior to hire.
• Pre-employment and annual tuberculosis (TB) screenings are a condition of continued employment.