How to hire an operational security specialist

How to hire an operational security specialist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step operational security specialist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an operational security specialist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new operational security specialist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does an operational security specialist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the operational security specialist you need to hire. Certain operational security specialist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   Hiring the perfect operational security specialist also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   This list shows salaries for various types of operational security specialists.

   Type of Operational Security Specialist	Description	Hourly rate
   Operational Security Specialist	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$12-31
   Officer	An officer is responsible for managing the daily operations of the assigned area, ensuring its peace and security by monitoring and reporting unusual and suspicious activities. Officers are the ones enforcing strict safety protocols and procedures to maintain the order within the premises... Show more	$12-49
   Non-Commissioned Officer	A non-commissioned officer (NCO) is responsible for maintaining peace and order during military operations and training. Non-commissioned officers' duties include leading soldiers' training for military operations, responding to the soldiers' concerns that involve their physical and mental well-being, and utilizing military equipment and tools properly while following strict regulatory procedures... Show more	$37-68

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Security Operations
   • Patrol
   • Emergency Situations
   • Emergency Response
   • Security Procedures
   • Securities
   • Security Systems
   • Phone Calls
   • Incident Reports
   • CCTV
   • Physical Security
   • Security Incidents
   • PowerPoint

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Perform administrative duties including managing PowerPoint slides used for training.
   • Perform CCTV audits and review camera recordings for investigations.
   • Monitor entire facility using CCTV while simultaneously performing dispatch duties.
   • Maintain weapons proficiency and qualification as a function of normal security patrol and protection duties.
   • Experience working directly for commanding officers and making security recommendations to ensure the security of overall DOD operations in the area.
   • Provide personal protection for dignitaries and VIP guests while maintaining confidentiality.

   More operational security specialist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your operational security specialist job description helps attract top candidates to the position. An operational security specialist salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

   For example, the average salary for an operational security specialist in Tennessee may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level operational security specialist usually earns less than a senior-level operational security specialist. Additionally, an operational security specialist with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

   Average operational security specialist salary

   $42,159yearly

   $20.27 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level operational security specialist salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 20, 2026

   Average operational security specialist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$56,550	$27
   2	Massachusetts	$53,227	$26
   3	California	$46,540	$22
   4	New York	$45,272	$22
   5	Washington	$45,143	$22
   6	Minnesota	$41,182	$20
   7	New Jersey	$40,814	$20
   8	Virginia	$40,465	$19
   9	Missouri	$39,363	$19
   10	Wisconsin	$38,270	$18
   11	Oklahoma	$38,125	$18
   12	Colorado	$37,602	$18
   13	Texas	$37,201	$18
   14	North Carolina	$35,101	$17
   15	Ohio	$33,642	$16
   16	Iowa	$33,193	$16
   17	Florida	$31,747	$15
   18	Georgia	$31,417	$15

   Average operational security specialist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	U.S. Bank	$96,812	$46.54
   2	Google	$95,559	$45.94	42
   3	Novartis	$94,978	$45.66
   4	Westinghouse Appliances Australia	$93,352	$44.88	2
   5	City National Bank	$93,190	$44.80
   6	Goldman Sachs	$91,486	$43.98
   7	NTT Data International L.L.C.	$89,974	$43.26	11
   8	Bank of America	$89,736	$43.14	41
   9	Control Risks	$78,503	$37.74	4
   10	Ensono	$78,413	$37.70	4
   11	MITRE	$78,194	$37.59	31
   12	Xcel Energy	$72,285	$34.75	5
   13	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	$72,165	$34.69
   14	The PNC Financial Services Group	$67,015	$32.22
   15	Zensar Technologies	$66,353	$31.90	2
   16	CACI International	$66,022	$31.74	40
   17	Johnson Controls	$59,460	$28.59	49
   18	Credit Suisse	$58,151	$27.96
   19	Prudential Bank	$57,196	$27.50	4
   20	Charles Schwab	$55,719	$26.79	8

4. Writing an operational security specialist job description

   An operational security specialist job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an operational security specialist job description:

   Operational security specialist job description example

   Consistently demonstrates superior customer service skills by displaying outlined service behaviors. Maintains an upbeat and positive attitude, creates positive energy with gestures and sustains enthusiasm from one interaction to the next. Creates an atmosphere of luck and celebrates guest's wins. Is ready to serve and is informed of daily information; builds relationships by greeting guests with a warm, friendly verbal greeting. Anticipates needs and provides fast, flawless service. Checks for satisfaction and effectively resolves service breakdowns when they exist. Promotes Total Rewards programs and card membership. Provides a warm farewell and thanks guests for visiting.
   
   Completes special assignments as required. Assigned to security podium, answers telephone, dispatches Security Officers according to situation and need. Issues controlled keys, access badges and radios to Security Officers and other staff. Monitors mantrap access and digital alarm system. Issues emergency credentials to employees and vendors. Receives, logs and determines priority of information received from Security Officers concerning their lateness, absence or other usual concerns. Prepares specified reports; assists Security Officers in preparation of reports. Conducts fact finding investigations by physically tracking and interviewing witnesses, collecting physical evidence and preserving the crime scene if necessary. Takes statements from individuals involved in security related activities and prepares reports detailing facts. Appears in court to give testimony on subpoenaed and/or documented facts contained in complaints or warrant files. Must be able to evaluate upon sight patrons requiring first aid or CPR. Notifies Shift Manager of any relevant situation or information.
   EDUCATION/SKILLS/EXPERIENCE:
   
   Minimum one year experience as Security Officer or similar capacity in the public sector. High school diploma or equivalent preferred. CPR certified or ability to obtain certification required.
   
   DISCLAIMER:
   
   "This is not necessarily an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, duties, requirements, effort or working conditions associated with the job. While this is intended to be an accurate reflection of the current job, management reserves the right to revise the job or to require that other or different tasks be performed when circumstances change (e.g., emergencies, changes in personnel, workload, rush jobs, or technical developments)."
   
   At Caesars Entertainment, Inc., our Team Members create the extraordinary. We are the largest casino-entertainment company in the U.S. and one of the world's most diversified casino-entertainment providers. Since beginning in Reno, Nevada, in 1937, Caesars Entertainment has grown through the development of new resorts, expansions and acquisitions. Our resorts operate primarily under the Caesars , Harrah's , Horseshoe and Eldorado brand names. We focus on building loyalty and value with our guests through a combination of impeccable service, operational excellence and technological leadership. The company is committed to its Team Members, suppliers, communities and the environment through its PEOPLE PLANET PLAY framework.
   
   Our Caesars family is driven by our Mission, Vision and Values. We take great pride in living these values - Together We Win, All In On Service and Blaze the Trail - every day. Our mission, "Create the Extraordinary". Our vision, "Create spectacular worlds. That immerse, inspire and connect you. We don't perform magic; we create it with excellence. #WeAreCaesars". If you are ready to create some magic, we invite you to explore our dynamic, yet unique, career opportunities.
   
   FULL TIME- POSITION REQUIRES NJ CER 35 LICENSE

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find operational security specialists for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your operational security specialist job on Zippia to find and recruit operational security specialist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with operational security specialist candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new operational security specialist

   Once you've decided on a perfect operational security specialist candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new operational security specialist first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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How much does it cost to hire an operational security specialist?