Become A Security Officer

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Working As A Security Officer

Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
Getting Information
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
Assisting and Caring for Others

Unpleasant/Angry People
Repetitive
$24,960
Average Salary

What Does A Security Officer Do

A Security Officer is responsible for maintaining a safe and secure environment for customers and employees through patrolling and monitoring premises and personnel. They also respond to alarms through investigating and assessing the situation.

How To Become A Security Officer

Most security guard jobs require a high school diploma. Gaming surveillance officers sometimes need experience with security and video surveillance. Most states require guards to be registered with the state, especially if they carry a firearm.

Education

Security guards generally need a high school diploma or equivalent, although some jobs may not have any education requirements. Gaming surveillance officers also need a high school diploma or equivalent and may need experience with video surveillance technology depending upon assignment.

Training

Although most employers provide instruction for newly hired guards, the amount of training they receive varies. Most guards, however, learn their job in a few weeks. During those few weeks, training from their employer typically covers emergency procedures, detention of suspected criminals, and proper communication.

Many states recommend that security guards receive approximately 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8–16 hours of on-the-job training, and 8 hours of annual training. This may include training in protection, public relations, report writing, deterring crises, first aid, and other specialized training related to the guard’s assignment.

Training is more rigorous for armed guards because they require weapons training. Armed guards may be tested periodically in the use of firearms.

For gaming surveillance officers and investigators, some employers prefer candidates with previous work experience in casinos or individuals with a background in law enforcement. Experience with video technology can also be helpful in using surveillance systems and software.

Drug testing may be required as a condition of employment and randomly during employment.

Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations

Most states require that guards be registered with the state in which they work. Although registration requirements vary by state, basic qualifications for candidates are as follows:

Be at least 18 years old
Pass a background check
Complete training

Guards who carry weapons usually must be registered by the appropriate government authority. Armed guard positions have more stringent background checks and entry requirements than those of unarmed guards. Rigorous hiring and screening programs, including background, criminal record, and fingerprint checks, are required for armed guards in most states.

Some jobs may also require a driver's license.

Advancement

Some guards advance to supervisory or security manager positions. Those with experience or postsecondary education should have an advantage. Armed security guards have a greater potential for advancement and enjoy higher earnings.

Some guards with management skills open their own security guard business. Guards can also move to an organization that needs higher levels of security, which may result in more prestige or higher pay.

Important Qualities

Decisionmaking skills. Guards and officers must be able to quickly determine the best course of action when a dangerous situation arises.

Patience. Security guards and officers may need to spend long periods standing and observing their environment without distractions.

Observation skills. Guards and officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary.

Physical strength. Guards must be strong enough to apprehend offenders and to handle emergency situations.

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Security Officer jobs

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Security Officer Demographic

Gender

Male
67.1%
Female
30.9%
Unknown
2.0%

Ethnicity

White
78.4%
Hispanic or Latino
12.8%
Asian
6.4%
Unknown
1.8%
Black or African American
0.6%

Languages Spoken

Spanish
65.3%
French
10.9%
Arabic
4.6%
German
3.2%
Russian
2.0%
Portuguese
1.7%
Italian
1.6%
Japanese
1.4%
Hindi
1.2%
Chinese
1.1%
Carrier
1.1%
Urdu
0.8%
Mandarin
0.8%
Polish
0.7%
Korean
0.7%
Vietnamese
0.7%
Thai
0.6%
Swedish
0.6%
Croatian
0.5%
Somali
0.5%

Security Officer

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Security Officer Typical Career Paths

Average Length of Employment

Security Police Officer 4.9 years
Senior Security Officer 3.5 years
Security Supervisor 3.3 years
Safety And Security Officer 3.1 years
Security Officer/Shift Supervisor 2.9 years
Security Guard Supervisor 2.9 years
Public Safety Officer 2.8 years
Security Site Supervisor 2.7 years
Lead Security Officer 2.7 years
Receptionist/Security Officer 2.6 years
Protective Officer 2.6 years
Security/Customer Service 2.4 years
Campus Security Officer 2.3 years
Security Patrol Officer 2.3 years
Security Agent 2.2 years
Security Receptionist 2.2 years
Security/Loss Prevention Officer 2.2 years
Private Security Guard 2.1 years
Campus Safety Officer 2.1 years
Commissioned Security Officer 2.1 years
Private Security Officer 2.0 years
Security 2.0 years
Security Officer 2.0 years
Custom Protection Officer 1.8 years
Security Monitor 1.8 years
Unarmed Security Officer 1.6 years
Unarmed Security Guard 1.5 years

Security Officer Education

Schools

University of Phoenix
22.3%
Kaplan University
6.6%
Liberty University
6.1%
Strayer University
5.8%
Ashford University
5.5%
Essex County College
5.2%
The Academy
4.9%
Miami Dade College
4.9%
Northern Virginia Community College
4.1%
Houston Community College
3.8%
American InterContinental University
3.7%
Community College of the Air Force
3.5%
Southern New Hampshire University
3.4%
Delgado Community College
3.2%
Grand Canyon University
3.0%
Palm Beach State College
3.0%
University of Maryland - University College
2.9%
Remington College
2.8%
Colorado Technical University
2.7%
Central Texas College
2.7%

Majors

Degrees

Other
38.4%
Bachelors
26.2%
Associate
19.0%
Certificate
7.2%
Masters
5.4%
Diploma
2.7%
License
0.6%
Doctorate
0.4%

Security Officer

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Real Security Officer Salaries

Job Title	Company	Location	Start Date	Salary
VP, Cheif Security Officer	Veritas Technologies LLC	Mountain View, CA	Dec 21, 2015	$220,000
Software Developer/Security Officer	Renaissance Bank Advisors LLC	Atlanta, GA	Dec 16, 2009	$100,000
Software Developer/Security Officer	Renaissance Bank Advisors, LLC	Atlanta, GA	Aug 03, 2009	$93,163 - $100,000
Software Developer/Security Officer	Renaissance Bank Advisors, LLC	Atlanta, GA	Aug 03, 2009	$78,208 - $100,000
Software Developer/Security Officer	Renaissance Bank Advisors, LLC	Atlanta, GA	Aug 14, 2009	$78,208 - $100,000
Humanitarian Support Officer, Emergency Food Secur	Oxfam-America, Inc.	Boston, MA	Dec 10, 2012	$39,966 - $77,800
Security Review Officer	Khawar & Sons Inc.	Houston, TX	Aug 07, 2016	$28,704

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Top Skills for A Security Officer

Top Security Officer Skills

Safety Hazards
Emergency Situations
Facility

You can check out examples of real life uses of top skills on resumes here:

Monitor the airport operations area for any unusual activities that may create a security concern or safety hazards.
Respond to all emergency situations.
Prepare and maintain logs on computer for all entry and exit of customer and employees for future references for facility.
Write detailed reports on daily activities.
Provide customer service to guests who had any questions.