What does a security officer do?
A security officer is responsible for maintaining the peace and safety of everyone by regularly patrolling and monitoring surveillance equipment within the assigned premises. Security officers' duties also include reporting suspicious behaviors, restricting trespassers and unauthorized personnel from entering the establishment, providing incident reports for policy violations, and adhering to the standard protocols and legal requirements set by the management. Security offers must also have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills and extensive knowledge of emergency drills in case any unfortunate circumstances arise.
Security officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real security officer resumes:
- 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.
- Maintain licensure as an unarm, security officer per DCJS standards.
- Complete daily activity reports (DAR) online and on a cell phone app.
- Secure equipment; insure the safety of movie stars, production crew, and staff.
- Do not admit access until client has provide regulatory id badge for access of the facility.
- Protect and secure JFK's access points to the restricted aeronautical operations areas (AOA).
- Inspect documents validity such as; port ids, driver's licenses, passports for access control.
- Communicate by radio or phone; climb ladders to make sure trucks are secure in all types of weather.
- Monitor foot traffic and conduct hourly patrol rounds to ensure appropriate security according to client site requirements.
- Handle security for pet smart distribution
Security officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 25% of Security Officers are proficient in Customer Service, Ladders, and Patrol. They’re also known for soft skills such as Communication skills, Good judgment, and Observation skills.
We break down the percentage of Security Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Customer Service, 25%
Coordinated training programs which included security operations, customer service and all work flow related to office documentations.
- Ladders, 17%
Open and Close roof access ladders.
- Patrol, 14%
Conducted roving perimeter patrol of the Wal-Mart establishment maintaining the safety of their customers according to their Standard Operating Procedures.
- Security Services, 6%
Provided security for nuclear carriers including perimeter security services while arriving at the facility to pick up or deliver nuclear materials.
- Patients, 5%
Provided safeguard and protection of Trident Medical Center medical staff from mentally challenged patient and prevented patients from physically harming themselves.
- Emergency Situations, 4%
Followed proper procedure in emergency situations and armed and disarmed security alarms and logged in all activity in daily shift report
"customer service," "ladders," and "patrol" are among the most common skills that security officers use at work. You can find even more security officer responsibilities below, including:
Communication skills. One of the key soft skills for a security officer to have is communication skills. You can see how this relates to what security officers do because "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." Additionally, a security officer resume shows how security officers use communication skills: "utilized my knowledge in protective services, customer services, loss prevention, communication skills, troubleshooting, and emergency management. "
Observation skills. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of security officers is observation skills. This skill is critical to many everyday security officer duties, as "security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "trained new recruits in passenger and baggage screening, alertness and observation, professionalism, and passenger interaction. "
The three companies that hire the most security officers are:
- Allied Universal17,912 security officers jobs
- Securitas AB3,919 security officers jobs
- DSI Security363 security officers jobs
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Compare different security officers
Security officer vs. 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. They also monitor alarm systems and video surveillance cameras. In cases of security breaches, they are expected to bring in law enforcement agents.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a security officer are more likely to require skills like "customer service," "ladders," "patients," and "pet." On the other hand, a job as an unarmed security guard requires skills like "unarmed security," "english language," "law enforcement," and "unarmed guard." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Unarmed security guards really shine in the utilities industry with an average salary of $31,285. Comparatively, security officers tend to make the most money in the utilities industry with an average salary of $29,956.On average, unarmed security guards reach similar levels of education than security officers. Unarmed security guards are 0.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.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.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real security officer resumes. While security officer responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "pet," "safety hazards," and "surveillance equipment," security specialists use skills like "security clearance," "security program," "public safety," and "dod."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Security specialists tend to reach similar levels of education than security officers. In fact, they're 4.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security officer vs. 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. They provide citizens with customer service, community outreach, and patrol. It is their job to implement city codes and other non-criminal police associated duties. They provide non-EMS in-home and on-site assistance to the citizens. Also, they respond to non-criminal complaints, building checks, and more.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from security officer resumes include skills like "customer service," "ladders," "security services," and "patients," whereas a community services officer is more likely to list skills in "public safety," "rehabilitation," "criminal justice," and "animal control. "
Community services officers make a very good living in the education industry with an average annual salary of $42,187. On the other hand, security officers are paid the highest salary in the utilities industry, with average annual pay of $29,956.Most community services officers achieve a similar degree level compared to security officers. For example, they're 2.5% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Security officer vs. Enforcement officer
The enforcement officer is someone who promotes and enforces policies, instructions, and obligations of tenants. An enforcement officer aims to resolve two parties' issues that may arise from orders given by the admin or management. Among the enforcement officers' tasks is to assist in evictions, render payments, and inform them of new ordinances and instructions for tenants to abide by. An enforcement officer may also be tasked to ensure that a judgment or resolution is enforced and observed.
Types of security officer
Updated January 8, 2025
