How to hire a security/loss prevention officer

How to hire a security/loss prevention officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step security/loss prevention officer hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a security/loss prevention officer, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A security/loss prevention officer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, security/loss prevention officers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   This list shows salaries for various types of security/loss prevention officers.

   Type of Security/Loss Prevention Officer	Description	Hourly rate
   Security/Loss Prevention Officer	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$12-19
   Head Of Security	The head of security performs overall company security responsibilities, obligations, and duties, such as maintenance responsibilities, performance responsibilities, strategic development responsibilities, and direction responsibilities. They create protocols and policies needed to secure and protect sensitive information... Show more	$41-132
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patrol
   • Good Judgment
   • Loss Prevention
   • Emergency Situations
   • CPR
   • CCTV
   • Incident Reports
   • Safety Inspections
   • Security Services
   • Hotel Property
   • Video Surveillance
   • Hotel Guests
   • Sales Floor
   • EMS

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • View CCTV, screen visitors, and monitor activity in the control center.
   • Complete mandatory training in adult and child CPR, fist aid, and environmental emergencies.
   • Apprehend shoplifters, CCTV monitor camera security system, and investigate thefts and in-store theft of employees.
   • Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.
   • Protect company's assets by utilizing state-of-the-art detection and investigation surveillance system, which identify shoplifters and prevent loss of merchandise.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your security/loss prevention officer job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A security/loss prevention officer can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, security/loss prevention officers' average salary in mississippi is 39% less than in north dakota.
   • Seniority. Entry-level security/loss prevention officers 37% less than senior-level security/loss prevention officers.
   • Certifications. A security/loss prevention officer with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a security/loss prevention officer's salary.

   Average security/loss prevention officer salary

   $16.03hourly

   $33,335 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level security/loss prevention officer salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a security/loss prevention officer job description

   A job description for a security/loss prevention officer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a security/loss prevention officer job description:

   Security/loss prevention officer job description example

   GardaWorld -
   
   Security Services
   
   Security Officer - Now Hiring!
   
   You've got the right skills. What you need is the right opportunity to unleash your potential. We agree, and we're hiring!
   
   Every day is different at GardaWorld with diverse work assignments and flexible schedules. We are leaders in Professional training programs that cover every aspect of delivering world class security services. And every industry counts on us because we're the very best at what we do. Perhaps you are, too.
   
   In our complex world today, GardaWorld stands out as the largest privately owned security services company in the world. We're experts at protecting people and assets. We're also growing everywhere and expanding in multiple locations. If you're a sharp, talented, self-confident individual who excels in customer service, you can build a future here. We give you all the tools you need to expand your skills and grow your career with exceptional opportunities for advancement. You can stand out - and thrive - here, too, as a Security Guard.
   
   At GardaWorld, we know your compensation is important so we provide competitive hourly starting rates for every market we're in. We're growing our team here in Erlanger, KY:
   
   Compensation: $15.50 / hour
   
   Shift: Saturday & Sunday 6:30am - 5:30pm (Part Time, 21 hours)
   
   About the job:
   
   * Excellent customer service is always your top priority.
   * You observe, survey the area and provide reporting on activity at your assigned location.
   * You provide rapid response in critical situations.
   * You're good with reading and writing detailed reports.
   * You know when and how to enforce customer procedures, regulations and standards.
   
   Your background:
   
   * You have a high school education or equivalent (GED)
   * You're able to ace (and pass) an extensive screening process
   * If you have Security, Military, Law Enforcement experience - even better!
   * You have a state license if required.
   
   If you want a real career opportunity where you're part of a dynamic supportive team that's dedicated to your success, check us out. We're a global organization that embraces our cultural diversity and we promote engagement, communication, and sharing ideas across all our teams. At GardaWorld, you'll have plenty of room to grow - and that's just for starters. Explore your future with us today.
   
   Work today, get paid today, with DailyPay!
   
   GardaWorld offers DailyPay - a voluntary benefit that allows you to access your pay on day 1 of work.
   
   If you're hired for a role at GardaWorld, you'll never have to wait for a paycheck again! DailyPay's most used features include:
   
   * PAY: Get instant access to your money as you earn it
   * SAVE: Automatically save a portion of every paycheck
   * BALANCE ALERTS: Track your real-time earnings & budget for upcoming bills or expenses
   
   Qualifications
   
   Education

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find the right security/loss prevention officer for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with security/loss prevention officers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit security/loss prevention officers who meet your education requirements.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with security/loss prevention officer 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 security/loss prevention officer

   Once you've decided on a perfect security/loss prevention officer 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 also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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