How to hire a security officer/shift supervisor

How to hire a security officer/shift supervisor, step by step

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

What does a security officer/shift supervisor do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your security officer/shift supervisor job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a security officer/shift supervisor for hire on a part-time basis or as a 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 officer/shift supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, security officer/shift supervisors 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of security officer/shift supervisors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Security Officer/Shift Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Security Officer/Shift Supervisor	Security guards and gaming surveillance officers patrol and protect property against theft, vandalism, terrorism, and illegal activity.	$12-22
   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
   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

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Customer Service
   • Incident Reports
   • Patrol
   • Security Services
   • Emergency Situations
   • CPR
   • CCTV
   • Foot Patrol
   • Vehicle Patrols
   • Safety Hazards
   • Property Damage
   • Traffic Control
   • Medical Emergencies
   • Security Operations

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Supervise both patrol and gate officers during daily and emergency situations.
   • Render first-aid and/or CPR if need.
   • Conduct patrol rounds of interior and exterior perimeter.
   • Monitor entire facility while using CCTV while simultaneously dispatch duties.
   • Dispatch duties including monitoring CCTV, monitoring fire control systems, assisting/directing officers via radio communications, and telephone communications.
   • Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.

   More security officer/shift supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, security officer/shift supervisors' average salary in mississippi is 49% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level security officer/shift supervisors 45% less than senior-level security officer/shift supervisors.
   • Certifications. A security officer/shift supervisor 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 officer/shift supervisor's salary.

   Average security officer/shift supervisor salary

   $35,680yearly

   $17.15 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level security officer/shift supervisor salary

   $26,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 31, 2026

   Average security officer/shift supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$45,306	$22
   2	Massachusetts	$41,758	$20
   3	New York	$39,008	$19
   4	Oregon	$38,678	$19
   5	Arizona	$38,481	$19
   6	Maine	$37,492	$18
   7	Utah	$35,919	$17
   8	New Hampshire	$35,470	$17
   9	Illinois	$35,260	$17
   10	Iowa	$34,617	$17
   11	Missouri	$34,614	$17
   12	New Jersey	$34,006	$16
   13	Wisconsin	$33,356	$16
   14	Kansas	$32,596	$16
   15	Ohio	$32,438	$16
   16	Indiana	$31,634	$15
   17	Tennessee	$31,174	$15
   18	Florida	$30,921	$15
   19	Alabama	$30,573	$15

   Average security officer/shift supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Isle of Capri Casinos	$36,804	$17.69
   2	American Security	$35,580	$17.11	34
   3	Sunstates Security	$35,535	$17.08	157
   4	Allied Universal	$35,517	$17.08
   5	G4s Secure Solutions International Inc.	$35,456	$17.05
   6	Alliance Health	$35,303	$16.97
   7	GardaWorld Federal Services	$35,170	$16.91	812
   8	G4S	$34,654	$16.66	22
   9	Boyd Gaming	$33,638	$16.17	27
   10	Utah	$32,823	$15.78

4. Writing a security officer/shift supervisor job description

   A good security officer/shift supervisor 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/shift supervisor job description:

   Security officer/shift supervisor job description example

   Allied Universal , North America's leading security and facility services company, provides rewarding careers that give you a sense of purpose. While working in a dynamic, diverse and inclusive workplace, you will be part of a team that fuels a culture that will reflect in our communities and customers we serve. We offer medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, 401K, employee assistance programs, company discounts, perks and more for all full-time positions!
   Assistant Supervisor- $20.68 / Hour
   
   Must have valid DL
   
   COVID-19 Vaccination is required for this position- the company will provide accommodations as required by law for disability and religious based reasons.
   
   As a Security Officer, you will serve and safeguard clients in a range of industries such as Commercial Real Estate, Healthcare, Education, Government and more.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   * Provide customer service to our clients by carrying out safety and security procedures, site-specific policies and when appropriate, emergency response activities
   * Respond to incidents and critical situations in a calm, problem solving manner
   * Conduct regular and random patrols around the business and perimeter. Working environments and conditions may vary by client site.
   
   Minimum Requirements:
   
   * Be at least 18 years of age for unarmed roles; 21+ years of age for armed roles
   * Possess a high school diploma or equivalent, or 5 years of verifiable experience
   * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a background investigation in accordance with all federal, state, and local laws. Allied Universal will consider qualified applications with criminal histories in a manner consistent with applicable laws.
   * As a condition of employment, applicants will be subject to a drug screen to the extent permitted by law.
   * Licensing requirements are subject to state and/or local laws and regulations and may be required prior to employment.
   * A valid driver's license will be required for driving positions only
   
   Perks and Benefits:
   
   * Health insurance and 401k plans for full-time positions
   * Flexible part time and full-time schedules that fit with your personal life goals
   * Ongoing paid training programs and career growth opportunities
   * Employee discounts through our perks program to your favorite restaurants, entertainment venues and much more…
   
   Allied Universal is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race/ethnicity, age, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, genetic information, disability, protected veteran status or relationship/association with a protected veteran, or any other basis or characteristic protected by law. For more information: www.aus.com
   
   If you have any questions regarding Equal Employment Opportunity, Affirmative Action, Diversity and Inclusion, have difficulty using the online system and require an alternate method to apply, or require an accommodation at any time during the recruitment and/or employment process, please contact our local Human Resources department. To find an office near you, please visit: www.aus.com/offices.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find security officer/shift supervisors for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any security officer/shift supervisors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level security officer/shift supervisors with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   Recruiting security officer/shift supervisors requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

   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/shift supervisor

   Once you've decided on a perfect security officer/shift supervisor 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 important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is 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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How much does it cost to hire a security officer/shift supervisor?