How to hire a surveillance inspector

How to hire a surveillance inspector, step by step

Here's a step-by-step surveillance inspector hiring guide:

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the surveillance inspector you need to hire. Certain surveillance inspector roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   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 surveillance inspector 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 surveillance inspector salaries for various positions.

   Type of Surveillance Inspector	Description	Hourly rate
   Surveillance Inspector	Quality control inspectors examine products and materials for defects or deviations from specifications.	$15-37
   Test Operator	The job of a test operator is to test the functionality of electronic components, assemblies, units, parts, and systems in a manner consistent with standard procedures. As a test operator, you will perform a variety of duties that include working with engineers to ensure accurate procedures are being followed, perform different mechanical assembly operations, and inspecting products for the correct orientation and placement... Show more	$12-23
   Inspector General	An inspector general is responsible for doing audit reports and inspections to ensure that no possible fraud, misconduct, corruption, or power abuse in the government or private sector occurs. Their role is to monitor and inspect the agencies' effectiveness, assess possible mismanagement of a company, and improve the economy... Show more	$14-35

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • NDE
   • AWS
   • Purchase Orders
   • API
   • ITP
   • NDT
   • Inspection Reports
   • Dimensional Inspection
   • Vendor Surveillance
   • Structural Steel
   • Pressure Vessels
   • PT
   • Nace
   • III

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage and maintain MRB process for all discrepant materials.
   • Monitor NDE and coating activity of complete weld units.
   • Witness and monitor NDT testing of line hangers and Tenaris hydril
   • Carry out visual and dimensional check to ensure compliance with WPS and other specifications.
   • Confirm NDE, verify test certifications and procedures used; ensure test reports and conditions are performed.
   • Verify NDT technicianqualification and NDT procedure

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your surveillance inspector job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A surveillance inspector can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, surveillance inspectors' average salary in south dakota is 53% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level surveillance inspectors 58% less than senior-level surveillance inspectors.
   • Certifications. A surveillance inspector 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 surveillance inspector's salary.

   Average surveillance inspector salary

   $49,924yearly

   $24.00 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level surveillance inspector salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 17, 2025

4. Writing a surveillance inspector job description

   A good surveillance inspector 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 surveillance inspector job description:

   Surveillance inspector job description example

   Vaxcom Services, Inc.
   
   www.vaxcom.com
   
   Vaxcom Services Inc. (an Xator Corporation National Security Solutions Company) is a niche provider of intelligence related support services. We are recognized experts in Intelligence Community with subject matter expertise in the areas of Technical/IT Services, Operations, and Intelligence Services.
   
   Clearance Requirement:
   
   Minimum active SECRET clearance.
   
   Surveillance/Security Professional Northern Virginia (various locations)
   
   Vaxcom is currently seeking individuals to work full-time or part-tme (2-3 shifts per week) as part of an team augmenting facilities' physical security by providing an additional ring of protection. The Team does not intercede or investigate, and is not armed. Candidates must have 5-years of security experience. Highly qualified candidates should demonstrate an understanding/experience with threat mitigation, surveillance tradecraft, counter-surveillance, surveillance detection techniques and terminology. Prior Surveillance Training highly desirable.
   
   Additional responsibilities include: 1) observe and report activities and incidents, providing for the security and safety of client property and personnel. 2) respond to emergency situations at client's site using appropriate escalation, consistent with established protocol. 3) Maintain proficiency with all assigned equipment
   
   Preferred Skills:
   
   * The ability to multi-task and react quickly to priority taskings
   * Effectively communicate and coordinate with multiple stakeholders
   * Reliable and the possess the aptitude to work independently
   
   Basic Qualifications:
   
   * Must have a minimum of five (5) years security experience (preferably to include surveillance/counter-surveillance skills).
   * Must have an active Secret (or higher) U.S. Governnment Security Clearance.
   * The ability to work as an Independent Contractor.
   * Valid driver's license and access to a vehicle. (Must use your own vehicle for surveillance).
   * High School Diploma or GED.
   * Minimum of 21 years of age.
   * U.S. Citizenship.
   * Read, speak and understand English fluently.
   
   Additional Requirements:
   
   * Successfully pass security interview screening.
   * Must be approved by the Client to work at the site.
   
   IND123
   
   On September 24, 2021, the U.S. Government's Safer Federal Workforce Task Force issued "2021 Guidance for Federal Contractors and Subcontractors" mandating that Covered federal contractors, including Xator Corporation, and their employees shall be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Therefore, this position may require individuals to be fully vaccinated (2 weeks past final dose) or have been granted a religious or medical accommodation by December 8, 2021 or shortly thereafter.
   
   Equal Opportunity Statement
   
   Xator Corporation, and its Subsidiaries, provides equal opportunity to all applicants for employment as required by and/or consistent with applicable country law and company policy. Consistent with the foregoing, Xator Corporation provides qualified applicants consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veterans' status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other status(s) protected by law. In the United States, Xator Corporation ensures nondiscrimination in all programs and activities in accordance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find surveillance inspectors 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 surveillance inspectors they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level surveillance inspectors 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 surveillance inspector job on Zippia to find and recruit surveillance inspector candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit surveillance inspectors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 surveillance inspector

   Once you have selected a candidate for the surveillance inspector position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the 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 surveillance inspector first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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