How to hire a Security Officer

How to hire a security officer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step security 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 officer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new security officer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Security Officer do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The security officer hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   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 security officer 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 presents security officer salaries for various positions.

   Type Of Security Officer	Description	Hourly Rate
   Security Officer	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$11-18
   Unarmed Security Guard	The primary responsibility of an unarmed security guard is to monitor and protect properties against damage or criminal attack. They must be alert, patrol the premises, and respond to emergencies... Show More	$11-21
   Community Services Officer	Community service offers or CSO support in crime response, investigation, and prevention where police powers are not necessary. The community service officers assist the police officers in terms of upholding order and law in the community... Show More	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Ladders
   • Patrol
   • Security Services
   • Patients
   • Emergency Situations
   • PET
   • CPR
   • Safety Hazards
   • Incident Reports
   • CCTV
   • Security Breaches
   • Alertness
   • Property Damage

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • General foot patrol of interior and exterior strip corridor casino property areas.
   • Distribute id photo badges to employees and contractors.
   • Escort performers or highly known stars to their suites.
   • Employ as an unarm Virginia DCJS license security officer.
   • Inspect all vehicles that are requesting access into AOA.
   • Make DAR reports with clear reading and writing in English.

   More Security Officer duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your security officer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A security officer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, security officers' average salary in mississippi is 44% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level security officers earn 38% less than senior-level security officers.
   • Certifications. A security officer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a security officer's salary.

   Average security officer salary

   $14.95hourly

   $31,101 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level security officer salary

   $24,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 13, 2025

   Average security officer salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	Washington	$40,250	$19
   2	District of Columbia	$38,754	$19
   3	Minnesota	$37,121	$18
   4	California	$36,145	$17
   5	Massachusetts	$35,929	$17
   6	New York	$35,654	$17
   7	Oregon	$34,490	$17
   8	Colorado	$33,481	$16
   9	Maine	$32,962	$16
   10	Nevada	$32,874	$16
   11	Utah	$32,561	$16
   12	Missouri	$32,192	$15
   13	Maryland	$31,319	$15
   14	Illinois	$31,250	$15
   15	Nebraska	$31,027	$15
   16	Wisconsin	$30,831	$15
   17	Pennsylvania	$30,426	$15
   18	Arizona	$30,111	$14
   19	Kansas	$29,351	$14
   20	Ohio	$29,221	$14

   Average security officer salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Battelle	$50,237	$24.15	10
   2	The Nightingale-Bamford School	$49,203	$23.66	2
   3	National Grid plc	$45,607	$21.93	28
   4	Seattle Seahawks	$45,421	$21.84	4
   5	Medical University of South Carolina	$42,584	$20.47
   6	New York University	$42,072	$20.23	4
   7	University of California-Berkeley	$41,924	$20.16
   8	OUC	$41,694	$20.05
   9	Freeport-McMoRan	$41,063	$19.74	6
   10	Blue Diamond Growers	$40,313	$19.38
   11	University of California	$39,992	$19.23	12
   12	General Electric	$39,981	$19.22	9
   13	Graco	$39,924	$19.19	5
   14	AEG	$39,860	$19.16	12
   15	UC Santa Barbara	$39,843	$19.16
   16	New York State Restaurant Association	$39,598	$19.04	23
   17	PSEG	$39,530	$19.00	13
   18	UC Merced	$39,490	$18.99
   19	Bayer	$39,319	$18.90	16
   20	PPG	$39,290	$18.89

4. Writing a Security Officer Job Description

   A good security officer job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a security officer job description:

   Security Officer job description example

   The Opportunity

   Delaware North Gaming is hiring a part-time seasonal Backside Security Guard to join our team at Finger Lakes Gaming and Race Track in Farmington NY. Backside Security team members work under the direction of the Security Manager to maintain a safe and secure environment for guests and associates, in accordance with NYS Gaming Commission and applicable operational standards. Part time Thursday-Sunday (11:00p-7:00a) $17.16/Hour!

   
   

   At Delaware North, we care about our associates' professional and personal wellbeing. We have a comprehensive benefits program designed to give our associates the comfort, safety, and stability they need to deliver exceptional service to our guests. All associates are eligible for benefits including weekly pay, employee assistance program, training and development, employee discounts, and flexible work schedules. Medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with company match, paid vacation and holidays, and tuition reimbursement are available for eligible associates.

   Responsibilities

   • Responsible for the enforcement of rules and regulations of the local gaming commission.
   • Enforces and adheres to all unit and company alcohol service policies and procedures.
   • Enforce all departmental and organizational policies and procedures and report incidents.
   • Observe and report procedural violations and illegal activity.
   • Fill out departmental log forms, verifies all paperwork is complete and turned in at conclusion of shift.
   • Demonstrates skill in dealing with guest complaints, using active listening skills to control difficult situations and maintain guest goodwill.

   Qualifications

   • Must be state certified security guard.
   • Must be able to be licensed by state gaming Commission.
   • Demonstrates skill in dealing with guest complaints, using active listening skills to control difficult situations and maintain customer goodwill.
   • Highly motivated and takes initiative.
   • Team-oriented; ability to work effectively with others.
   • Ability to work in fast-paced environment.

   Physical Requirements

   • Frequent standing, walking, bending, climbing, stooping, lifting, reaching, and pushing.
   • Visual acuity sufficient to identify potential security violations.
   • Hearing ability sufficient to respond to the spoken voice, audible alarms and two-way radios.
   • Manual dexterity sufficient to grasp/handle guest items and various equipment.
   • Occasionally required to lift and carry up to 35 lbs.
   • Occasionally required to sit for periods of time.
   • Exposure to all weather conditions.

   Shift Details

   Varies

   Who We Are

   Finger Lakes Gaming & Racetrack, owned and operated by Delaware North, features more than 1,500 video gaming machines and brings the thrill of live thoroughbred racing from April to November and year-round simulcast wagering on thoroughbred and harness racing from across the country. Finger Lakes presents various dining options including a large buffet.

   At Delaware North, you'll love where you work, who you work with, and how your day unfolds. Whether it's in sporting venues, casinos, airports, national parks, iconic hotels, or premier restaurants, there's no telling where your career can ultimately take you. We empower you to do great work in a company with 100 years of success, stability and growth. If you have drive and enjoy the thrill of making things happen - share our vision and grow with us.

   Delaware North Companies, Incorporated and its subsidiaries consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, creed, gender, national origin, age, disability, marital or veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected status. Delaware North is an equal opportunity employer.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right security officer for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit security officers, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to 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 security officer

   Once you've found the security officer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new security officer. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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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