Job description template
Security Guard Job Description
Security guard and security officer job description template: patrols, access control, CCTV and incident reports, plus licensing and armed-post rules.
The role in brief
A security guard protects people, property and assets by patrolling premises, controlling who comes in and out, monitoring alarms and CCTV, and responding to incidents and emergencies. Guards deter theft and disorder, enforce the site's rules and write a report of what they observe on every shift. Most US states require guards to be licensed or registered, with extra licensing for armed posts, so this template lists those checks alongside the duties.
- Patrol the site on foot or by vehicle on a set route, checking doors, windows, gates and fences for signs of intrusion or damage
- Control access at entrances: check identification and passes, sign visitors and contractors in and out and keep accurate entry logs
- Monitor alarm panels and CCTV screens, and investigate alarms and disturbances promptly
- Respond to emergencies, contact police, fire or ambulance services and give basic first aid until help arrives
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- Patrol the site on foot or by vehicle on a set route, checking doors, windows, gates and fences for signs of intrusion or damage
- Control access at entrances: check identification and passes, sign visitors and contractors in and out and keep accurate entry logs
- Monitor alarm panels and CCTV screens, and investigate alarms and disturbances promptly
- Respond to emergencies, contact police, fire or ambulance services and give basic first aid until help arrives
- Enforce the site's rules, warn people who break them and remove trespassers or violators when necessary, within the law and site policy
- Write clear daily activity and incident reports with times, names and facts that management or police can rely on
- Lock and unlock buildings and gates at set times, and check security systems and equipment for tampering
- Operate screening equipment such as metal detectors to keep prohibited items out of restricted areas, where the post requires it
- Calm confrontations and act as a visible, approachable point of contact for staff and visitors
- Follow the post orders and brief the next shift on open issues at handover
Required skills
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Nice to have
Qualifications
- 1High school diploma or equivalent, which most employers expect
- 2A current state security guard licence or registration where the state requires one, or eligibility to obtain it before starting
- 3Minimum age of 18, or 21 for some posts such as casino security in some states
- 4Ability to pass a criminal background check, and drug testing where the employer requires it
- 5For armed posts: the firearms licence or permit your state requires, completed weapons training and periodic firearms qualification
- 6Valid driver's licence for mobile patrol posts
- 7Availability for rotating shifts, including nights, weekends and holidays
Compensation and environment
Work environment
Career growth
Experienced guards can move up to shift supervisor, site supervisor and security manager roles. Others specialise in armed protection, CCTV control-room work or loss prevention, and some use the experience as a step towards law enforcement careers.
Common questions
What is the difference between a security guard and a security officer?
In most job postings there is none. O*NET, the US occupational database, lists Security Officer as a title for the same Security Guards occupation. Use the title your applicants search for and describe the actual post: armed or unarmed, static or mobile, and how much of it is customer-facing.
What are a security guard's roles and responsibilities?
Patrolling the premises, controlling access, monitoring alarms and CCTV, responding to incidents and emergencies, enforcing site rules and writing reports. Armed posts add carrying a firearm under the state's licensing and training rules.
Does a security guard need a licence?
In most US states, yes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics notes that most states require licensing or registration, commonly with a minimum age of 18, a background check and completed training, and armed guards need further licensing. In the UK, contracted security guards need a Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence, while in-house staff usually do not, except door supervisors at licensed premises. In India, the Private Security Agencies (Regulation) Act, 2005 requires guards employed by an agency to be at least 18 and under 65, to have completed the prescribed security training, to meet physical standards and to pass a character and antecedents check.
How much training does a security guard need?
It depends on the state, and most employers provide training lasting a few weeks. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that many states recommend about 8 hours of pre-assignment training, 8 to 16 hours of on-the-job training and 8 hours of annual training, covering emergency procedures, crime prevention, communication and first aid. Armed guards get more rigorous weapons training and may be tested on firearms periodically.
Should the job description say whether the post is armed?
Yes. Armed and unarmed posts carry different licensing, training and background-check requirements, often including fingerprint checks for armed guards, so put it in the job title and the first paragraph.
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