Washington Post

Security Specialist

Washington Post$64K — $96K *
Business Services
Less than 5 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Emergency Management, or related field preferred.
  • 3-5 years of experience in corporate security, security operations, law enforcement, military, intelligence, or similar field.
  • Experience in a Security Operations Center (SOC) or similar environment strongly preferred.
  • Hands-on experience with security technologies such as CCTV, access control, and incident management systems.
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills required.

Responsibilities

  • Monitor and manage security operations through the SOC, including security technologies.
  • Conduct continuous monitoring of security systems to respond to suspicious activities or breaches.
  • Serve as the primary contact between on-site security, company leadership, and external emergency responders.
  • Perform routine and random security patrols of company facilities and surrounding properties.
  • Enforce security policies and access control procedures professionally and customer-focused.
  • Prepare detailed incident reports and activity logs accurately and timely.
  • Analyze security trends and operational risks to recommend improvements.

Benefits

  • Competitive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
  • Company-paid pension and 401(k) match.
  • Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave.
  • Nine paid holidays and two personal days.
  • 20 weeks paid parental leave for new parents.
  • Robust mental health resources and caregiver services.
  • Free Post digital subscription.
Full Job Description
We are seeking an experienced and dependable Security Specialist to join our Security Operations Center (SOC) team. This position plays a critical role in protecting company personnel, facilities, operations, and assets through proactive monitoring, incident response, investigations, and coordination with internal and external partners. The ideal candidate is a security professional with strong operational judgment, excellent communication skills, and the ability to remain calm and decisive in high-pressure situations. This role requires a proactive mindset, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining a safe and secure environment across all company properties and operations. This position will be based out of the Washington DC office, and the hours for this role will be Monday - Friday, 4 pm -12 am. What Motivates You • You thrive in fast-paced environments where every shift presents new challenges, critical decisions, and opportunities to make a meaningful impact. • You are energized by protecting people, facilities, and operations while serving as a trusted first line of response during incidents and emergencies. • You enjoy staying alert, thinking critically, and using technology, data, and operational awareness to identify risks before they escalate. • You take pride in maintaining calm under pressure and communicating clearly and professionally during high-stakes situations. • You value ownership and accountability and are motivated by being trusted to make sound decisions that directly support organizational safety and continuity. • You are motivated by collaborative environments where you partner closely with leadership, security personnel, emergency responders, and cross-functional teams. • You enjoy investigative and analytical work, including identifying patterns, assessing vulnerabilities, and continuously improving security operations and response protocols. • You are driven by opportunities to grow your expertise in corporate security, incident management, security technologies, and operational leadership. • You appreciate a mission-driven organization where your work contributes to protecting the people and operations behind impactful journalism. How You'll Support the Mission The Skills and Experience You Bring • Monitor and manage security operations through the Security Operations Center (SOC), including video surveillance systems, access control systems, alarms, and other security technologies. • Conduct continuous monitoring of building activity and security systems to identify, assess, and respond to suspicious activity, security breaches, safety concerns, or operational disruptions. • Serve as a primary point of contact between on-site security personnel, company leadership, property management, and external emergency response agencies during assigned shifts. • Perform routine and random security patrols of company facilities and surrounding properties to ensure the safety and security of personnel, visitors, and physical assets. • Enforce company security policies, access control procedures, and badge verification protocols while maintaining a professional and customer-focused approach. • Prepare detailed incident reports, daily activity logs, investigative summaries, and other required documentation in a timely and accurate manner. • Analyze security trends, incident data, and operational risks to identify vulnerabilities and recommend improvements to security procedures, systems, and response protocols. • Maintain a strong security presence while demonstrating professionalism, sound judgment, discretion, and confidentiality in all interactions. Qualifications • High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Security Management, Emergency Management, or a related field preferred. • Minimum of 3-5 years of experience in corporate security, security operations, law enforcement, military, intelligence, or a related field. • Experience working in a Security Operations Center (SOC) or similar centralized monitoring environment strongly preferred. • Hands-on experience with security technologies, including CCTV systems, access control platforms, alarm monitoring systems, incident management systems, and emergency communication tools. • Knowledge of emergency response procedures, incident management, workplace safety practices, and security operations. • Strong written and verbal communication skills with the ability to prepare professional reports and communicate effectively with employees, leadership, vendors, and emergency responders. • Ability to assess situations quickly, make sound decisions under pressure, and manage multiple priorities simultaneously. • Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with the ability to enforce policies professionally and diplomatically. • High level of integrity, discretion, professionalism, and attention to detail. • Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also collaborating effectively within a team environment. • Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and standard security reporting software. Compensation and Benefits Wherever you are in your life or career, The Washington Post offers comprehensive and inclusive benefits for every step of your journey: • Competitive medical, dental and vision coverage • Company-paid pension and 401(k) match • Three weeks of vacation and up to three weeks of paid sick leave • Nine paid holidays and two personal days • 20 weeks paid parental leave for any new parent • Robust mental health resources • Backup care and caregiver concierge services • Gender affirming services • Pet insurance • Free Post digital subscription • Leadership and career development programs Benefits may vary based on the job, full-time or part-time schedule, location, and collectively bargained status. The salary range for this position is: $64,300 - $96,500 Annual The actual salary within this range will depend on individual skills, experience, and qualifications as they relate to specific job requirements. This position may be eligible for a bonus or incentive program, and a member of the Talent Acquisition team will discuss bonus payment terms and conditions during the interview process.

About Washington Post

The Washington Post is an American daily newspaper published in Washington, D.C. It is the most-widely circulated newspaper within the Washington metropolitan area and has a large international audience. Daily broadsheet editions are printed for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The newspaper has won the Pulitzer Prize 65 times for its work, the second-most of any publication. It is considered a newspaper of record in the U.S. Post journalists have also received 18 Nieman Fellowships and 368 White House News Photographers Association awards. The paper is well known for its political reporting and is one of the few remaining American newspapers to operate foreign bureaus. The Post was founded in 1877. In its early years, it went through several owners and struggled both financially and editorially. Financier Eugene Meyer purchased it out of bankruptcy in 1933 and revived its health and reputation, work continued by his successors Katharine and Phil Graham, who bought out several rival publications. The Post's 1971 printing of the Pentagon Papers helped spur opposition to the Vietnam War. Subsequently, in the best-known episode in the newspaper's history, reporters Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein led the American press's investigation into what became known as the Watergate scandal, which resulted in the 1974 resignation of President Richard Nixon. The advent of the internet expanded the Post's national and international reach. In October 2013, the Graham family sold the newspaper to Nash Holdings, a holding company owned by Jeff Bezos, for $250 million.
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