Security Guard Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Are you searching for a security guard job description? Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a security guard. Feel free to use our job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a security guard.
Who is a Security Guard?
They are fondly called Security officers and they are responsible for safeguarding individuals and their property by patrolling and acting as access control for guests and visitors. Security guards are typically employed or hired by private individuals or businesses to protect property, assets, and people. Their regular responsibilities can differ from one position to another depending on the needs of the organization but they are often required to monitor the properties of individuals and patrol around to ensure the safety of people. Some security guards work together with a team or they can also work independently. Security guards can work as internal employees, contractors from a security company, and freelancers.
Security guards may have different daily schedules throughout the day. The duty they perform can be based on the task that is assigned to them. For instance, a security guard working at a school may spend the majority of their time going to check if students are safe and also secure the properties of the school. They also checkmate employees when necessary and monitor suspicious visitors. Security guards can also be hired to work in an event or official gathering and they may spend the majority of their time patrolling the event and preventing uninvited guests from being part of the event. They also report any accident to the event manager or producer.
The security guard can report to the internal manager of an organization but this solely depends on the specifics of their employment. Security guards who work as freelancers for single events or activities usually report to the producer or organizer of the event. Security guards who are contacted by an organization may report to a single employee or the hiring manager of the company.
Security Guard Job Description
What is a security guard job description? A security guard job description is simply a list of duties and responsibilities of a security guard in an organization. Below are the security guard job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a security guard job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The following are the duties and responsibilities of a Security Guard:
- Guaranteeing that guests sign in upon arrival and exit
- Ensuring that guests are aware of rules that must be adhered to
- Patrolling and surveying activities on the company’s premises regularly to discourage criminals and ensure the environment is safe
- Controlling surveillance cameras to watch out for any disruptions or unlawful activities
- Sampling security systems and, if needed, operating X-ray machines and metal detectors
- Utilizing provided communication devices such as two-way radios in a clear and concise manner
- Conducting CPR or first aid when needed
- Eliminating trespassers or unwanted individuals from the property
- Reaching the relevant authorities if a crime is committed or an accident occurs
- Noting supervisors regularly
- Recording any skeptical activities to the supervisor
- Conceding to alarms and reacting promptly
- Helping people in need
- Delivering reports of daily surveillance activity
- Delivering a report of every suspicious action
Qualifications
- A high school qualification or equivalent
- A qualification in security training
- At least two years of experience as a security guard or a similar role
- Good knowledge of legal guidelines for area security and public safety
- Some background with report writing
- Outstanding surveillance and observation skills
- At least two years of experience in surveillance systems
- Trained in First/BLS and self-defense
- Registered as a security officer
- Crucial thinking and problem-solving skills
- Team player
- Promising time-management skills
- Tremendous interpersonal and communication skills
Essential Skills
- Communication Skills
- Physical fitness
- Customer Service
- Technological Skills
- Critical thinking Skills
- Teamwork
- Problem-solving skills
- Organizational Skills
- Communication: this is the act of exchanging information with others or passing information across. As a security guard, you need to possess both verbal and written communication to become successful in performing your responsibilities. Verbal communication skills can help you to discuss any security threat with people and how they can keep themselves safe. It can also be beneficial when making announcements to visitors and also passing across information to colleagues and also describing the picture of an event to police officers.
Writing communication skills on the other hand help you to draft police statements and also write comments on fire alarm forms. Effective communication demands you pay keen attention to clients when they are talking and responding thoughtfully to them.
- Physical Fitness: Physical fitness has to do with the ability to perform daily activities with strength and agility. Being physically fit helps you to handle the physical challenges of a security guard position. For instance, while patrolling, you may spend most of your time walking a building area. You may also need to lift heavy items or chase an individual who does not obey the rules of the organization. You may also need to lift heavy items or properties in an organization and so you must be physically fit. You should enhance your physical fitness to cope with the training.
- Customer Service: Customer service is the ability to provide exceptional services to customers and help them accomplish their goals. This is very crucial because it defines how you work with customers. Working as a security guard involves following instructions on how to build an interpersonal relationship with customers so that they can trust you in challenging times with their problems. For instance, a company may provide training to security guards on how to conduct security checks on customers. Customer service may also be very useful in giving guidelines to visitors once they step into an organization.
- Technology Skills: Technology skills are those qualities that enable you to perform tasks utilizing various technologies. As a security guard, you need to utilize electronic surveillance equipment which is the camera to monitor alarm systems and activities. You need to utilize word processing software to draft reports, submit electronic accounts, and store client information. Working in this role may demand that you utilize X-ray scanners to recognize prohibited items. Building your technical skills can help you safeguard individuals and items efficiently.
- Critical thinking: Critical skills refer to the ability to assess a situation objectively and build conclusions. You need these qualities to evaluate security threats at work and you engage your reasoning abilities instead of emotions to act. Critical thinking skills can also help you to make good decisions. For instance, you may make better decisions if you evaluate the behavior of an individual and determine if a security threat exists. You should also employ your critical thinking skills to choose patrol rules, areas, and locations and execute the most appropriate emergency response measures.
- Teamwork: This simply means working closely with others or collaborating with others to achieve a common goal. Security guards need to collaborate with others although they work independently. For instance, a security guard can work as part of a security team in an event center. Teamwork can also be highly paramount to survey activities or buildings from different angles. This skill is also useful when working on a shift with a partner. A particular security guard can work in the morning while the other in the night. It is therefore highly essential for security guards to have teamwork skills so that they can safeguard individuals and items.
- Problem-solving Skills: problem-solving skill is employed to find a solution to a problem. This skill can be employed to handle security-related issues effectively. For instance, you can use your problem-solving skills to handle a situation in which people have the wrong notion. Problem-solving skills can also be used to carry out information to locate missing individuals.
How to Become a Security Guard
Earn the Basic Education
The minimum qualification to become a security guard is a high school diploma and the position does not require a degree certificate. Companies usually give preference to a candidate with certification or formal security guard training. It is also very crucial for candidates to train in first-aid and self-defense. For the higher role of a senior security guard, employers give preference to a candidate that possesses a degree in criminal justice, criminology, or any other related course.
- Get Experience
Candidates that are interested in the role of a security guard must possess work experience and it should be at least a year’s experience. Employers may prefer to hire a candidate who has worked in the police force, or army or has experience as a security guard. Candidates should also know how to operate surveillance cameras, and be proficient in Microsoft word they should also know how to draft reports.
- Participate in Specialized Training
Training programs can help you to develop hard skills such as technical skills and also physical fitness. This training can come in different forms such as lectures, seminars, workshops, and orientation sessions. You can also take an active part in these to enhance your skills development. For instance, search for online training courses on how you can enhance your communication skills so that you can build them better.
- Join an Organization of Security Guard
Being an active member of a security guard organization can help you build your professional skills. For instance, in a country like Canada, you can become part of the Canadian Security Association to stay updated with security techniques and how to handle surveillance equipment. These organization usually train their members.
- Network With other Security Guards
As you work on your security guard skills. Build a professional relationship with other security guards. For instance, you can make with experienced security guards on social media. Building your network can help you acquire new social procedures and techniques. You can also get a mentor in the field that can boost your professional life by networking with other security guards.
- Draft your Resume and Cover letter
When drafting your resume, ensure that there is a section where you can write about the skills you possess. You should also state the proficiency for the skills you possess because this will determine how you will apply the skill. For instance, you might be a surveillance expert and then skilled in customer service. Draft a cover letter and state your most essential skill for a security guard. You want to provide examples to show your competency with these skills; such as how you demonstrated skills in your previous workplace.
- Ace the Interview
After you have drafted your cover letter and applied for the job; ensure that you perform well in the interview. Highlight your security guard skills by completing tasks perfectly and preventing any issues. Showcase your skills in the interview to convince the recruiter that you are the perfect candidate for the job. For instance, you can apply your technical skills using metal detectors to ensure that individuals can only bring items that are authorized into the building.
Where to Work as a Security Guard
A security guard can work in various places such as Academic institutions, Government agencies, companies, Private residences of influential people, and non-governmental organizations. They usually work on shifts and can work for 40 hours per week although this depends on the organization. Their work setting is mostly in an office but they spend most of their time patrolling an organization to ensure everyone and everything is safe.
Security Guard Salary Scale
The salary of a security guard varies according to different countries and here are some countries:
- In Nigeria, The average salary for a Security Guard is ₦41,739 per month. Entry-level Security Guard positions start their career at ₦425,736 per year. Experienced senior Security Guard positions can get up to ₦576,000 per year.
- In the United States, The average security guard salary in the USA is $27,300 per year or $14 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $23,400 per year while most competent workers make up to $35,100 per year. The average security guard salary in Washington is $35,100 per year or $18 per hour. Entry-level positions start at $30,779 per year while most professional workers make up to $42,909 per year. The average security guard salary in California is $33,150 per year or $17 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $30,243 per year while most professional workers make up to $40,739 per year.
- In Canada, The average security guard salary in Canada is $32,202 per year or $16.51 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $27,788 per year, while most professional workers make up to $41,008 per year.
- In Australia, The average security guard salary in Australia is $63,000 per year or $32.31 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at $50,623 per year, while most experienced workers make up to $85,052 per year.
- In the United Kingdom, The average security guard salary in the United Kingdom is £23,400 per year or £12 per hour. Entry-level positions start their career at £21,414 per year while most experienced workers make up to £28,115 per year.