What does a safety and security officer do?
A safety and security officer is in charge of enforcing safety and security measures in a particular area or building. In commercial establishments, they are typically responsible for monitoring security cameras and alarm systems, patrolling areas, keeping an eye on any suspicious behavior or activity, and conducting inspections. They must also respond to distress, coordinating with law enforcement officials should the situation require. Furthermore, a safety and security officer must maintain an active communication line with fellow security officers, reporting to supervisors when complicated issues arise.
Safety and security officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real safety and security officer resumes:
- Execute HAZMAT safety and clean up procedures, confine space entry, CPR certify, and emergency/fire protection qualify.
- Respond to park disturbances and medical calls involving first aid (train in basic first aid and CPR).
- Monitor and operate CCTV cameras and other recording systems.
- Patrol and monitor facility daily in accordance with safety policy.
- Search behavioral health patients for contraband and potentially dangerous weapons.
- Monitor CCTV systems, provide security; conduct interior/exterior security checks.
- Provide non-violent crisis intervention and physical control for patients in extreme distress.
- Maintain computer entry of patrol officers daily logs and patrol locations of officers and their customer assists
- Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.
- Provide personal security presence & escorts for VIP's and other dignitaries.
- Handle security and executive protection of any VIP's that may be on property.
- Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.
Safety and security officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 15% of Safety And Security Officers are proficient in Patrol, Patients, and Customer Service. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Patience, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Safety And Security Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patrol, 15%
Monitored CCTV system of Mall providing visual security and dispatching of security officers by radio to needed incidents and patrol locations.
- Patients, 13%
Specialized training in Crisis Prevention and Intervention; for dealing with uncooperative/combative patients and visitors and crowd control.
- Customer Service, 10%
Exceeded customer service expectations while assuming responsibility for employee and guest risk related requests, event coordination and vendor relations support.
- CPR, 8%
Executed HAZMAT safety and clean up procedures, confined space entry, CPR certified, and emergency/fire protection qualified.
- Emergency Situations, 6%
Conduct security checks, investigate breaches of security involving emergency and non-emergency situations, and work with local law enforcement agencies.
- Incident Reports, 6%
Prepared and submitted written safety and incident reports, conducted special and preliminary investigations and testified in court when necessary.
Most safety and security officers use their skills in "patrol," "patients," and "customer service" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential safety and security officer responsibilities here:
Observation skills. One of the key soft skills for a safety and security officer to have is observation skills. You can see how this relates to what safety and security officers do 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." Additionally, a safety and security officer resume shows how safety and security officers use observation skills: "front desk officer and lead dispatcher closed circuit security systems observation officer. "
Communication skills. safety and security officers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to safety and security officer responsibilities, because "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." A safety and security officer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "issue fines, conduct safety and fire inspections, transport students, telecommunications and traffic control. "
The three companies that hire the most safety and security officers are:
- Aimbridge Hospitality80 safety and security officers jobs
- Legacy Health79 safety and security officers jobs
- Baptist Health Home Care29 safety and security officers jobs
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Compare different safety and security officers
Safety and security officer vs. 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. An NCO is in charge of leading unit activities, performing corrective actions as needed, and coordinating closely with the troop members. A non-commissioned officer must display excellent leadership and critical-thinking skills to guide the military troop efficiently.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, safety and security officer responsibilities require skills like "patrol," "patients," "customer service," and "cpr." Meanwhile a typical non-commissioned officer has skills in areas such as "combat," "logistical support," "nco," and "professional development." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Non-commissioned officers tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $103,557. In contrast, safety and security officers make the biggest average salary, $35,720, in the health care industry.non-commissioned officers tend to reach similar levels of education than safety and security officers. In fact, non-commissioned officers are 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Safety and security officer 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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that safety and security officer responsibilities requires skills like "patients," "loss prevention," "criminal justice," and "security services." But an officer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "powerpoint," "law enforcement agencies," "financial statements," and "hr."
Officers earn higher levels of education than safety and security officers in general. They're 6.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Safety and security officer vs. Security specialist
A security specialist is responsible for maintaining the security of an organization's database, ensuring that it's free from cyber threats and unusual activities. Security specialists' duties include upgrading hardware and software applications, configuring networks to improve optimization, addressing any unauthorized access on the database, troubleshooting system discrepancies, conducting security audits on the system, and improving automated processes. A security specialist must have a strong command of programming languages and system codes, as well as broad experience with technical expertise.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a safety and security officer is likely to be skilled in "patients," "loss prevention," "ems," and "safety hazards," while a typical security specialist is skilled in "ladders," "security clearance," "security program," and "dod."
Most security specialists achieve a similar degree level compared to safety and security officers. For example, they're 2.4% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Safety and security officer vs. Security
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.
Types of safety and security officer
Updated January 8, 2025
