Public Safety Agent
Salary
$27.98 - $37.50 Hourly
Location
Oregon Convention Center, OR
Job Type
Full Time
Job Number
2026-8260-OCC-G
Department
Oregon Convention Center
Opening Date
06/12/2026
Closing Date
6/28/2026 11:59 PM Pacific
Position Summary
Hello, we are Metro! Metro is dedicated to shaping a better future for the greater Portland region. The work the people of Metro do every day benefits the lives of the people who live here, today, and tomorrow.
Join the Oregon Convention Center Department of Public Safety as a Public Safety Agent and be part of a team committed to creating a safe, welcoming environment for everyone who visits, works, and hosts events at the OCC. In this role, you will have the opportunity to make a real impact each day by supporting the safety and comfort of a diverse community while helping ensure every guest has a positive experience.
The Oregon Convention Center is a 24-hour, seven-day a-week operation that supports a wide variety of events, visitors, staff, and vendors. This role offers consistent hands-on experience in both safety and customer service, allowing you to develop strong communication, observation, and problem-solving skills in a highly visible, people-centered environment. You will be part of a supportive team made up of individuals with a range of backgrounds.
In this position, you will receive ongoing development opportunities designed to help you build confidence and expand your skill set. As industry practices evolve, you will continue learning and gaining experience that prepares you for long term growth in safety related roles.
If you are interested in pursuing a future in public service such as Police, Fire, EMS, Emergency Dispatch, or Social Work, this role offers a strong foundation to build your experience, strengthen your fundamentals, and explore your career path while contributing to a team that values service, professionalism, and community.
As a Public Safety Agent, you will:
Represent OCC as a first-impression ambassador by offering warm greetings, clear directions and effective problem-solving for event attendees. The focus is on delivering outstanding customer service at every interaction.
Be responsible for ensuring that events remain safe. Assist guests with wayfinding and event information.
Assist with safe and efficient evacuations when needed.
Monitor assigned areas and respond to suspicious activity with other Agents.
Coordinates with Portland Police Bureau, Portland Fire & Rescue, and Paramedics during emergency responses.
Use a computer and/or mobile device to complete reports, receive assignments, review policies, protocols and stay informed on current directives to ensure quality in an ever-changing environment.
Arrests individuals violating state laws and collaborates with local law enforcement and prosecutors to support legal proceedings.
Manage crowd control and provide initial response during medical or emergency situations.
Additional opportunities and event specific assignments are available (with additional training) in patrol functions, dispatching, environmental safety, training and more.
Attributes for success:
Dependable, trustworthy, professional, who is honest and enjoys interacting with the public and in a team of public safety professionals.
Ability to deliver outstanding customer service and interact in a positive and respectful way with the public.
Proven ability to establish and maintain professional relationships with co-workers across all departments.
Knowledge of, or a passion for, event safety and security.
Skilled in administering First Aid, CPR, AED, crowd control and coordinating emergency services.
Proficient in providing clear and concise written documentation of incidents in on-scene notes and the subsequent report.
Able to deliver clear and concise verbal debriefs of incidents to managers and first responders.
Willingness and ability to learn purpose-built computer programs including video management software, report writing systems, dispatching and computer-aided dispatching user interfaces.
Capable of reading and following building floor plans, policies, procedures, protocols, directives and briefings.
Ability to remain calm and professional in emergency situations while coordinating a response.
Skilled in effectively de-escalating tense situations, including people in crisis or agitated/obstinate individuals.
Physically able to run over one-third of a mile on varying surfaces and terrain, both incline and decline (including stairs) during an emergency incident.
Capability of completing and issuing Multnomah County parking citations.
Able to read and comprehend fire alarm system panel to determine location of a fire.
Ability to protect oneself and/or defend others from imminent physical harm and exercise sound judgement when determining the appropriate intervention, based on a dynamic situations.
Availability to work dayshift, swing shift, nightshift, weekends, holidays and urgent requests as needed.
Experienced in reading, following, and applying security policies, procedures, and post orders; as well as review and communicate post orders via email as needed.
DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION
At Metro, we strive to cultivate diversity, advance equity, and practice inclusion in all of its work. This means attracting and empowering a workforce that is inclusive of a broad range of human qualities. Workplace diversity is both a moral imperative and a business strength, essential to providing quality support and services to our region. Metro's goal is to hire, develop and retain highly skilled and talented individuals across all departments and programs who best reflect the diversity of our community.
Learn more about how Metro is advancing diversity
TO QUALIFY
We will consider any combination of relevant work experience, volunteering, education, and transferable skills as qualifying unless an item or section is labeled required. Please be clear and specific in your application materials on how your background is relevant.
Minimum qualifications:
High school diploma or GED and;
At least 18 years of age and;
One year of responsible experience in providing security for a large facility, customer service, crowd management, events, or;
Any combination of education, professional, volunteer and lived experience that provides the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the classification duties and responsibilities.
Special Requirements:
Successful completion of a Metro and DPSST background check
Ability to successfully complete a Human Performance Exam that simulates common physical tasks performed for this position prior to hire.
Has (or qualifies and completes) a DPSST Unarmed Security Professional Certification.
Shift and schedule: Night Shift: Tuesday - Thursday 12pm - 8am and Friday - Saturday 10pm - 6am; 40 hours per week.
Working Conditions:
In this role you will work in both indoor and outdoor environments, often exposed to varying weather conditions, including extreme heat and cold. The role requires prolonged periods of standing, walking, and occasional running, as well as physical activities such as crawling, kneeling, and climbing. Candidates should be prepared for physically demanding tasks while maintaining a high level of awareness and responsiveness in dynamic situations.
If this statement is true for you, then you may be ineligible to apply
If you were terminated for cause during any employment with Metro, or resigned in lieu of termination, you may be ineligible for rehire for a minimum of 3 years.
Like to have qualifications
You do not need to have the following preferred qualifications/transferable skills to qualify. However, keep in mind we may consider them when identifying the most qualified candidates. Your transferable skills are any skills you have gained through education, work experience, including the military, or life experience that are relevant for this position.
SCREENING AND EVALUATION
The application packet:
The application packet consists of the following required documents. Please ensure that you upload these documents in your online application. Make sure your application is complete, missing any part of these items could result in an incomplete application and will not be moved forward in the recruitment.
Complete online application with all relevant experience listed
Responses to supplemental questions
The selection process:
We expect to evaluate candidates for this recruitment as follows. The selection process is subject to change.
Initial review of minimum qualifications.
In-depth evaluation of application materials to identify the most qualified candidates.
Consideration of candidates with a remote interview.
Consideration of top candidates with an in-person interview.
Reference checks (must provide at least three references).
Background, driving records check, human performance exam for finalist candidate.
COMPENSATION AND REPRESENTATION
The full salary range for this position is step1: $27.98 per hour, to step 7: $37.50 per hour. However, unless a candidate's qualifications justify, based on the Oregon Pay Equity Act requirements and Metro's internal equity review process, the appointment will likely be made at step 1: $27.98 per hour, to step 4: $32.39 per hour.
This position is eligible for overtime and is represented by ILWU 28. It is classified as a Facility Security Agent.
Classification descriptions are typically written broadly and do not include the specific duties and responsibilities of the positions. View the classification description.
Questions?
Recruiter: Megan Warneke
Email: megan.warneke@oregonmetro.gov
Additional Information
Equal employment opportunity
All qualified persons will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, familial status, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability for which a reasonable accommodation can be made, or any other status protected by law.
Accommodation
Metro will gladly provide a reasonable accommodation to anyone whose specific disability prevents them from completing this application or participating in this recruitment process. Please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
Veterans preference
Under Oregon Law, qualified veterans may be eligible for veterans preference when applying for Metro positions. If you are a veteran and would like to be considered for a veterans preference for this job, please provide qualifying documents as instructed during the application process.
Hybrid Telework
Positions designated as "hybrid telework," meaning you will have the option to work away from the office, although there may be times that coming into the office will be required. The designation of Hybrid Telework may be subject to change at a future time. All employees must reside in Oregon or Washington; Metro cannot support ongoing telework from other locations.
Pay equity at Metro
No matter who you are or where you work at Metro, you deserve to be paid fairly for the work you do. Every worker must get equal pay for equal work regardless of your gender, race, age, or other protected characteristics. Metro has established processes and conducts routine pay equity reviews as part of the hiring process to ensure compliance with the 2017 Oregon Pay Equity Act.
Online applications
Metro accepts job applications online. If you need assistance or accommodation with your application, or access to a computer, please contact the recruiter outlined in the job announcement in advance to request assistance.
How to Apply
For tips on how to apply and more information on what the application process looks like, visit Metro's "How to apply" page.
Government Jobs
For assistance with your account or to reset your password please visit GovernmentJobs "Help and Support" page.
Metro
Led by an elected council, this unique government gives all residents of greater Portland a voice in shaping the future and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale. We find solutions for our area's garbage and recycling that protect clean air and water; help plan land use and development to provide jobs and safe transportation; manage local venues that provide a connection to arts and culture and help keep the economy growing; protect 17,000 acres of parks and natural areas, and run the Oregon Zoo, to keep nature close to home.
As part of the Metro family, Oregon Convention Center, helps make greater Portland a great place to call home. Metro brings people together to shape the future of our area and provides parks, venues, services, and tools at a regional scale.
The Oregon Convention Center and Metro
The Oregon Convention Center is the largest convention facility in the Pacific Northwest, attracting out-of-town visitors to national conventions, tradeshows and meetings, and local people to special events. The convention center's roughly 160 employees host more than 1 million visitors each year.
As part of the Metro family, you play a vital role in serving the people of the greater Portland region.
Family members, including eligible spouses, domestic partners, and children, are covered under most of our benefits programs. Benefits vary depending on position and full-time, part-time, and variable hour status.
This is a budgeted, regular status position with a full-time schedule. The position is eligible for these benefits:
Metro also offers a variety of perks for all employees, including free admission to the Oregon Zoo (including ZooLights!), Oxbow and Blue Lake Regional Parks, membership discount at Lloyd Athletic Club, credit union eligibility and more. Employees also receive access to financial wellness and legal consultation services, as well as first-time home buying and ownership counseling.
Learn more about employee benefits.
Some positions are represented by a union and have additional benefits.
View union contracts here.
01
Do you have a current DPSST certification in good standing?
02
How many years of experience do you have providing customer service in a fast-paced, dynamic environment (such as retail, hospitality, events, or public-facing roles)?
03
How many years of experience do you have in any of the following areas: security, crowd management, or working at public events (such as concerts, conventions, or sporting events)?
04
Please select any qualifications and experience that apply to you:
05
How would you rate your skill level using Microsoft Office 365 applications (such as Excel, Word, Teams, and SharePoint)? Please select the option that best describes your overall proficiency.
06
How would you rate your experience with typing detailed reports (such as incident reports, summaries, or professional documentation)? Please select the option that best describes your current skill level.
07
The shift for this position will be the night shift Tuesday - Thursday 12pm - 8am and Friday - Saturday 10pm - 6am. Are you able to work this schedule?
Required Question
Employer Oregon Metro
Address 600 NE Grand Ave
Portland, Oregon, 97232
Phone 503-797-1570
Website http://www.oregonmetro.gov