Security Officer/Session Lead
Job details
- Location
- Olympia, Washington
- Work type
- Onsite
- Compensation
- $57,288 - $99,276/yr
- Posted
- 2 days ago
- Apply on
- governmentjobs.com
About this role
About the Department
Washington State House of Representatives
Exempt Recruitment Announcement
Security Officer/Session Lead
OPENS: | June 02, 2026 |
CLOSES: | June 16, 2026 |
REPORTS TO: | Security Supervisor |
LOCATION: | Thurston County – Olympia, Washington |
SALARY: | $57,288 to $99,276 annually State law requires us to post the full salary range; however, individual salary is determined based on experience and internal alignment. Most applicants will start near the beginning of the salary range. |
This is a full-time, year-round position with an anticipated hire date of August 17, 2026.
About The House of Representatives:
The House of Representatives (House) comprises half of the Washington State Legislature and is made of 98 members, elected to serve two-year terms representing 49 legislative districts. The House employs 250 full-time year-round staff and 100 temporary session staff and interns. The Legislature meets annually beginning on the second Monday in January in the Capitol Building in Olympia. Regular legislative sessions take place January through March in even-numbered years and January through April in odd-numbered years. Special legislative sessions occur as needed.
Our workplace is on the beautiful Capitol Campus in Olympia. The 486-acre campus includes the Legislative Building and other historic structures, as well as popular parks and trails with views of Capitol Lake, Budd Inlet, and the Olympic Mountains.
The House of Representatives holds themselves to the Legislative Code of Conduct which expects the following:
- We conduct ourselves with self-awareness, self-respect, and professionalism;
- We treat others with respect, dignity, and civility, regardless of status or position; and
- We refrain from engaging in hostile, intimidating, offensive, or unlawful activities or behaviors that may amount to discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment, or bullying.
Position Duties
Position Profile:
This position supports the safety, security, and daily operations of the Washington State House of Representatives. The Security Officer/Session Lead assists House Security in coordinating security functions, monitoring systems, responding to incidents, and ensuring compliance with House rules. This position’s primary responsibility is to provide security for all personnel assigned to the Pritchard Building (House members and staff, Legislative Service Center, and the Code Revisors’ Office). During legislative session, this role assumes additional leadership responsibilities, including staff supervision and operational coordination within House-controlled facilities.
This position is responsible for ensuring the security and safety of state legislators, legislative employees, and visitors to the House and its facilities. The position involves administrative responsibilities and expands to include lead responsibilities during legislative sessions.
How You’ll Be Expected to Contribute:
Security Operations & Monitoring:
- Operate and monitor security surveillance camera systems to ensure security and safety of House facilities.
- Monitor the Security Duress Button System and initiate proper notifications (e.g., law enforcement, internal staff, and reporting parties).
- Respond to and assess unusual or suspicious activity in House-controlled areas.
- Conduct routine patrols and security checks of House-controlled areas.
- Ensure compliance with House Rules and assist House Security leadership to establish and follow safety and security protocols.
Communications & Incident Coordination:
- Serve as a communication liaison for security and safety incidents involving internal and external partners; including Chief Clerks Office, Senate Security, Washington State Patrol (WSP), Temple of Justice, and Department of Enterprise Services (DES).
- Receive and process phone calls and visitor inquiries.
- Maintain situational awareness and provide timely updates to the security leadership regarding incidents, concerns, and emerging issues.
Administrative & Access Control Support
- Assist the security supervisor in managing the photo ID card access system, including issuance, troubleshooting, and audits.
- Support audits related to access control systems and key management.
- Assist with House parking operations, including complaint intake and investigation.
Facility Operations Support
- Assist in ensuring completion of daily facility opening and closing procedures.
- Support general operations of the House Security Offices located in the Pritchard Building and/or John L. O’Brien Building (JLOB).
- Assist with additional operational or administrative duties as assigned.
Session Leadership Responsibilities (performed during session in addition to the above duties):
- Supervise Pritchard Building security staff during session.
- Assist in directing daily security operations and scheduling within the Pritchard Building and JLOB, including conference and hearing rooms.
- Collaborate with Legislative Assistants to coordinate and manage visitor access to House members.
- Provide leadership support and ensure consistent application of security procedures during high-demand periods.
Minimum Qualifications
The Successful Candidate Will Meet These Qualifications:
- Experience in security operations, law enforcement, or related field.
- Ability to work collaboratively and effectively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment in high-pressure situations.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and professionalism in a legislative environment.
- Ability to monitor and interpret surveillance systems and respond appropriately.
- Prior supervisory or lead experience.
Additional Desirable Qualifications:
- Familiarity with access control and surveillance systems.
- Experience in a government or legislative setting.
- Knowledge of Washington State legislative operations.
- Possess a valid driver’s license.
Special Requirements:
- A background check including criminal history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment.
- May require coordination with law enforcement agencies for response efforts.
Note: Diverse backgrounds in education and experience could be successful in this role and will be considered. Candidates with any combination of experience that demonstrates the ability to perform the work will be considered.
Other Qualifications
Conditions of Employment/Working Conditions:
This position requires an onsite/in-person presence year-round Monday through Friday. During the legislative session, this position frequently requires more than 40 hours of work per week, which may include evenings, weekends, and holidays.
Benefits:
Employee benefits include vacation and sick leave; paid state holidays; health, life, and other optional insurance; retirement; social security; and military leave.
How to Apply:
Please submit the below items combined in one document:
(1) a letter of interest specifically addressing the qualifications;
(2) a current resume describing in detail your experience and education; and
(3) a minimum of three professional references with contact information (e.g., address, e-mail address, and telephone).
Send application materials and direct any questions to [email protected].
Benefits
More than Just a Paycheck!
Employee benefits are not just about the kind of services you get, they are also about how much you may have to pay out of pocket. Washington State offers one of the most competitive benefits packages in the nation.
We understand that your life revolves around more than just your career. Like everyone, your first priority is ensuring that you and your family will maintain health and financial security. That's why choice is a key component of our benefits package. We have a selection of health and retirement plans, paid leave, staff training and other compensation benefits that you can mix and match to meet your current and future needs.
Read about our benefits:
The following information describes typical benefits available for full-time employees who are expected to work more than six months. Actual benefits may vary by appointment type or be prorated for other than full-time work (e.g. part-time); view the job posting for benefits details for job types other than full-time.
Note: If the position offers benefits which differ from the following, the job posting should include the specific benefits.
Insurance Benefits
Employees and their families are covered by medical (including vision), dental and basic life insurance. There are multiple medical plans with affordable monthly premiums that offer coverage throughout the state.
Staff are eligible to enroll each year in a medical flexible spending account which enables them to use tax-deferred dollars toward their health care expenses. Employees are also covered by basic life and long-term disability insurance, with the option to purchase additional coverage amounts.
To view premium rates, coverage choice in your area and how to enroll, please visit the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) website. The Washington Wellness program from the Health Care Authority works with PEBB to support our workplace wellness programs.
Dependent care assistance allows the employee to save pre-tax dollars for a child or elder care expenses.
Other insurance coverage for auto, boat, home, and renter insurance is available through payroll deduction.
The Washington State Employee Assistance Program promotes the health and well-being of employees.
Retirement and Deferred Compensation
State Employees are members of the Washington Public Employees' Retirement System (PERS). New employees have the option of two employer contributed retirement programs. For additional information, check out the Department of Retirement Systems' web site.
Employees also have the ability to participate in the Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). This is a supplemental retirement savings program (similar to an IRA) that allows you control over the amount of pre-tax salary dollars you defer as well as the flexibility to choose between multiple investment options.
Social Security
All state employees are covered by the federal Social Security and Medicare systems. The state and the employee pay an equal amount into the system.
Public Service Loan Forgiveness
If you are employed by a government or not-for-profit organization, and meet the qualifying criteria, you may be eligible to receive student loan forgiveness under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program.
Holidays
Full-time and part-time employees are entitled to paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.
Note: Employees who are members of certain Unions may be entitled to additional personal leave day(s), please refer to position specific Collective Bargaining Agreements for more information.
Full-time employees who work full monthly schedules qualify for holiday compensation if they are employed before the holiday and are in pay status for at least 80 nonovertime hours during the month of the holiday; or for the entire work shift preceding the holiday.
Part-time employees who are in pay status during the month of the holiday qualify for the holiday on a pro-rata basis. Compensation for holidays (including personal holiday) will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status in the month to that required for full-time employment, excluding all holiday hours. Pay status includes hours worked and time on paid leave.
Sick Leave
Full-time employees earn eight hours of sick leave per month. Overtime eligible employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month, earn a monthly proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Overtime exempt employees who are in pay status for less than 80 hours per month do not earn a monthly accrual of sick leave.
Sick leave accruals for part-time employees will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment. Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
Vacation (Annual Leave)
Full-time employees accrue vacation leave at the rates specified in WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA). Full-time employees who are in pay status for less than 80 nonovertime hours in a month do not earn a monthly accrual of vacation leave.
Part-time employees accrue vacation leave hours in accordance with WAC 357-31-165(1) or the applicable collective bargaining agreement (CBA) on a pro rata basis. Vacation leave accrual will be proportionate to the number of hours in pay status, in the month to that required for full-time employment.
Pay status includes hours worked, time on paid leave and paid holiday.
As provided in WAC 357-58-175, an employer may authorize a lump-sum accrual of vacation leave or accelerate the vacation leave accrual rate to support the recruitment and/or retention of a candidate or employee for a Washington Management Service position. Vacation leave accrual rates may only be accelerated using the rates established WAC 357-31-165.
Note: Most agencies follow the civil service rules covering leave and holidays for exempt employees even though there is no requirement for them to do so. However, agencies are required to adhere to the applicable RCWs pertaining holidays and leave.
Military Leave
Washington State supports members of the armed forces with 21 days paid military leave per year.
Bereavement Leave
Most employees whose family member or household member dies, or for loss of pregnancy, are entitled to five (5) days of paid bereavement leave. In addition, the employer may approve other available leave types for the purpose of bereavement leave.
Additional Leave
Leave Sharing
Parental Leave
Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA)
Leave Without Pay
Please visit the State HR Website for more detailed information regarding benefits.
Updated 01-07-2026
Agency Information
EmployerState of WashingtonAddress View Job Posting for Agency InformationView Job Posting for Location, Washington, 98504 Website http://www.careers.wa.gov