What does a protection specialist do?
Protection specialists are security professionals who provide physical security and protection of the exterior and interior of their client companies' property. These specialists are required to utilize CCTV to detect and investigate fraudulent activities as well as provide security over the watch protection to prevent the loss of a company's assets. They must apprehend suspected thieves and detain them in a secure facility until the arrival of the local law enforcement officers. Protection specialists must also provide transportation and personal security for the CEO of the company, executive management, and designated other employees.
Protection specialist responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real protection specialist resumes:
- Provide support to team leads, analyst and other miscellaneous AML business units.
- Enter and manage water system inventory and monitoring requirements into EPA record database.
- Perform all sampling and releases require by NRC regulations of a nuclear power plant.
- Maintain the original records of all inspections and training in accordance with RCRA and OSHA policies.
- Coordinate and staff outage supplies with vendors to ensure adequate RP supplies and PPE for outages.
- Check electronic journal, Ross reports, and cameras for associates' activities that may contribute to an internal theft.
- Implement comprehensive security measures to include conducting perimeter checks, monitoring CCTV, and removing trespassers.
- Provide job coverage and ensure ALARA.
- Coordinate and screen NCRs for corrective actions.
- Prepare draft and file suspicious activity reports (SAR )
- Qualify and perform EP duties for dose projection team lead position.
- Maintain a safe and secure environment for Ross employees and customers alike.
- Monitor daily legal, compliance, AML issues and quality control reports suggesting ways for process improvement.
- Maintain a working relationship with the union and ensures that the CBA is applied consistently and fairly.
- Maintain accurate records and reports of all identify theft activity and communicate as necessary t to SPS management.
Protection specialist skills and personality traits
We calculated that 30% of Protection Specialists are proficient in Guest Service, Physical Security, and Safety Issues. They’re also known for soft skills such as Good judgment, Observation skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Protection Specialists that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Guest Service, 30%
Protected Target merchandise through nonviolent intervention and offering guest service; maintained visibility and established presence to deter dishonest activity.
- Physical Security, 15%
Shift Supervisor overseeing up to 50-60 Force Protection Specialists to ensure the physical security of various US military operations throughout Bosnia-Herzegovina.
- Safety Issues, 9%
Monitored for potential safety issues, assisting managers in maintaining safe and secure environment for associates and customers.
- Safety Procedures, 5%
Organize safety procedures for crowd management.
- Loss Prevention, 4%
Assisted with internal investigations under direction of Loss Prevention Manager of unlawful activity relating to the security of company assets.
- Fraud Issues, 4%
Developed mutually beneficial relationships with Target Investigation center focusing on resolving theft and fraud issues quickly and efficiently.
"guest service," "physical security," and "safety issues" are among the most common skills that protection specialists use at work. You can find even more protection specialist responsibilities below, including:
Observation skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling protection specialist duties is observation skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." According to a protection specialist resume, here's how protection specialists can utilize observation skills in their job responsibilities: "utilize cctv to maintain observation respond to customer needs. "
Communication skills. protection specialists are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to protection specialist responsibilities, because "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." A protection specialist resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "have strong communication with team members and local police department. "
Problem-solving skills. A big part of what protection specialists do relies on "problem-solving skills." You can see how essential it is to protection specialist responsibilities because "security guards and surveillance officers must be able to quickly determine the best course of action when a dangerous situation arises." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical protection specialist tasks: "use problem-solving skills to make appropriate decisions in a timely manner to ensure loss prevention at client locations. "
Interpersonal skills. Another skill commonly found on protection specialist job descriptions is "interpersonal skills." It can come up quite often in protection specialist duties, since "security guards often regularly interact with the public; in addition, they must be able to handle and deescalate confrontational situations." Here's an example from a resume of how this skill fits into day-to-day protection specialist responsibilities: "resolve security and safety issues using problem solving and interpersonal skills. "
The three companies that hire the most protection specialists are:
- Deloitte39 protection specialists jobs
- Wish
4 protection specialists jobs
- Pacific Architects and Engineers
3 protection specialists jobs
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Compare different protection specialists
Protection specialist vs. 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. They also coordinate with law enforcement agencies in conducting appropriate investigations for any violating cases. An officer must be highly-knowledgeable of the law policies, as well as possessing excellent leadership skills to manage the members under the officer's patrol.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a protection specialist are more likely to require skills like "guest service," "safety issues," "safety procedures," and "loss prevention." On the other hand, a job as an officer requires skills like "patrol," "customer service," "public safety," and "powerpoint." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
On average, officers reach higher levels of education than protection specialists. Officers are 6.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Protection specialist vs. Bouncer
A petty officer is a non-commissioned navy officer who is responsible for supervising the day-to-day activities of junior sailors and making sure that they have a productive day. Petty officers with more experience are expected to provide training in basic skills to their junior petty officers. Once a petty officer is reprimanded, first-class petty officers may conduct discipline by ordering those reprimanded to do extra military instruction or extra work within the division. Petty officers are also required to meet all the requirements for surface warfare qualification.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, protection specialist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "guest service," "physical security," "safety issues," and "loss prevention." Meanwhile, a bouncer has duties that require skills in areas such as "front door," "ids," "crowd control," and "bartenders." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Bouncers tend to reach similar levels of education than protection specialists. In fact, they're 3.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Protection specialist vs. Petty officer
A Security's main responsibility is to keep people or an establishment safe. This responsibility is carried out by constantly patrolling a designated area and monitoring the activity within the premises. Most of the tasks involved are inspecting buildings and equipment, monitoring entry and exit points, reporting irregularities, responding to customers in distress, and other surveillance activities. The security is basically an establishment's first line of defense, this is why one must have good communication skills, keen observation and judgment, and as well as presence of mind.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a protection specialist is likely to be skilled in "guest service," "safety issues," "safety procedures," and "loss prevention," while a typical petty officer is skilled in "preventative maintenance," "law enforcement," "logistics," and "sailors."
When it comes to education, petty officers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to protection specialists. In fact, they're 0.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Protection specialist vs. Security
Types of protection specialist
Updated January 8, 2025
