Part-Time
Security Specialist
Contract
Posted on 2/21/2026
The Washington Post
1,001-5,000 employees
Operates paywalled journalism with Arc XP
No salary listed
Washington, DC, USA
In Person
On-site role; weekend 9am–5pm with additional weekday coverage at The Washington Post.
 Security & Protective Services |
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- High school diploma required; Bachelor’s Degree preferred; further education in security administration or similar field will be an asset
- Hands-on experience with surveillance techniques and technology (e.g. CCTV), as well emergency planning and response, is required
- Corporate security experience required
- Military, law enforcement, or intelligence experience preferred
- Excellent customer service, interpersonal, communication and collaboration skills
- Experience with Close Protection Security (CP) preferred
- Ability to enforce security protocols in a polite yet assertive way
- Independent thinking and forward-looking attitude
- Knowledge of best practices in security and safety, as well as federal and state regulations
- Weekend shift 9 am – 5 pm on Saturday and Sunday
- Weekday shifts (8-hours) will involve stand-in coverage at The Washington Post. Therefore, the candidate must be flexible with scheduling
- Monitor video and data activity throughout the building using Security Operations Center’s video and data processing technology
- Act as the main point of contact between building security and Washington Post security management during the weekend shift
- Conduct regular security rounds/surveillance of the properties throughout shifts
- Coordinate with the law enforcement officers, outside security firms, property management company, and the event management staff; checking IDs and badges; and resolving incidents quickly and efficiently
- Act as a point of contact for all emergencies related to the company's security, business continuity, and safety, including medical emergencies, personnel issues, and security threats. Organize and direct emergency responses and supporting activities
- Analyze loss control and accident reports. Conduct internal investigations in accordance with legal requirements and company policies
- Identify gaps in security and safety protocols and develop policies and procedures to close the gaps and ensure compliance with federal and state regulations. Prepare and maintain all required security manuals
- Partner with other functions throughout the company to implement and enforce security procedures
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred
- Military, law enforcement, or intelligence experience preferred
- Experience with Close Protection Security (CP) preferred
The Washington Post runs a national newspaper and earns revenue from digital subscriptions, digital advertising, and licensing its Arc XP technology. Arc XP is a cloud-based suite of tools that publishers and other businesses use to create, manage, publish, and monetize digital content across channels. It differentiates itself by combining consumer news with a growing B2B licensing business that sells Arc XP to other media companies and organizations. Its goal is to grow a global reader base, expand subscriptions, maximize digital ad revenue, and scale Arc XP as a major licensing platform for publishers and enterprises.
Company Size
1,001-5,000
Company Stage
Acquired
Total Funding
$250M
Headquarters
Washington DC, District of Columbia
Founded
1877
Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Arc XP boosted Gannett engagement 20% and generated $15M revenue.
- Bezos pushes Amazon-style low-price subscriptions with 15% conversion uplift.
- D'Onofrio grew Tumblr ads 30% via data-driven personalization.
What critics are saying
- Subscriber exodus persists after 2024 Harris non-endorsement alienates base.
- 300 layoffs damage Arc XP credibility, stalling enterprise deals.
- Bezos halts subsidies post-$100M 2024 loss, demands break-even now.
What makes The Washington Post unique
- Arc XP licenses cloud-based tools to Gannett and Fortune 500 retailers.
- Digital subscriptions target global readers with paywall strategy.
- Technology licensing diversifies revenue beyond traditional advertising.
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Benefits
Health Insurance
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
401(k) Company Match
Paid Vacation
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Holidays
Parental Leave
Mental Health Support
Pet Insurance
Professional Development Budget
Company News
Washington Post Executive Editor Matt Murray said the newspaper is on a trajectory to break even following mass layoffs that eliminated more than 300 journalism positions earlier this month. Speaking at Semafor's Restoring Trust in Media event, Murray defended the cuts as a necessary "strategic reset" amid declining revenue and subscriptions. Murray acknowledged the Post remains behind competitors like The New York Times and Wall Street Journal commercially, noting the business had been declining for "quite some time". The paper has lost subscribers partly due to owner Jeff Bezos' decision to pull back its endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. Murray did not provide a timeline for reaching profitability but said the goal is to achieve stability, then break even, before returning to growth mode. He emphasised Bezos remains committed to the Post's long-term future.
Washington Post owner Jeff Bezos issued his first public statement since the paper enacted mass job cuts this week, emphasising the importance of "data" and understanding reader interests. The billionaire Amazon founder indicated he wanted to apply his customer-focused approach to the Post. "Each and every day our readers give us a roadmap to success. The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus," Bezos wrote. His statement came as CEO Will Lewis stepped down, to be replaced on an interim basis by CFO Jeff D'Onofrio. The messaging echoed comments from top editor Matt Murray, who told staff the Post must focus on areas where it demonstrates "authority, distinctiveness, and impact", including politics, national affairs and national security. However, critics remain sceptical following controversies over the paper's 2024 presidential endorsement and recent opinion section changes.
The Washington Post Guild has called for Jeff Bezos to sell the publication following CEO Will Lewis' departure on Saturday. The union described Lewis' exit as "long overdue", saying his legacy would be "the attempted destruction of a great American journalism institution". Lewis left days after sweeping layoffs affected hundreds of reporters across sports, audio, international, books and DC metro sections. Laid-off journalists celebrated his departure on social media, with former culture writer Jada Yuan calling herself "thrilled" by the news. The union demanded Bezos immediately rescind the layoffs or sell the paper to someone willing to invest in its future. Unionised employees had held a "Save the Post" rally earlier this week, emphasising risks to press freedom if legacy publications like the Post cannot continue operating.
Will Lewis has resigned as publisher and CEO of the Washington Post after two years, with Chief Financial Officer Jeff D'Onofrio appointed as acting publisher. The announcement follows mass layoffs on Wednesday that cut hundreds of journalists, many covering foreign affairs. Lewis's tenure was marked by buyouts and shrinking coverage at the newspaper owned by Jeff Bezos since 2013. Employees and supporters protested outside the Post's offices on Saturday following the drastic cuts. In his first public comments since the layoffs, Bezos said readers provide "a roadmap to success" through data showing "what is valuable and where to focus". D'Onofrio previously served as CEO of Tumblr and held leadership positions at Raptive, Google, Yahoo and Major League Baseball.
Jeff Bezos's relationship with The Washington Post has dramatically shifted since he purchased the paper for $250 million in 2013. Initially, his ownership was celebrated: he invested heavily in staff, technology and coverage, and the paper became profitable during Trump's first presidency. Now the Post is reporting significant losses—$77 million in 2023 and $100 million in 2024—leading to major cuts this week. The paper may have overhired, peaking at 1,100 staff in early 2021, whilst digital advertising revenue declined. Bezos's decision in October 2024 not to endorse a presidential candidate triggered a mass subscription exodus. Editor Matt Murray's memo announcing cuts suggests the paper may shift its editorial approach, stating it has "too often write[n] from one perspective, for one slice of the audience." The enthusiasm Bezos once displayed has apparently faded, leaving staff uncertain about the paper's direction.