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Security Guard Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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A Security Guard, or Security Officer, is responsible for safeguarding a person, building or valuable items. Their primary duties include checking and admitting visitors into a building, patrolling the premises at regular intervals and responding to any distress calls and alarms.

Security Guard duties and responsibilities

Security Guards work in a range of settings. Some work for large companies and are sent out to various locations on a daily or weekly basis. Others work at the same business, office building or school everyday. To excel at their job, Security Guards will need to fulfill the following important duties and responsibilities:

  • Carrying out security checks on visitors, on arrival and exit using security scanners and other equipment
  • Performing luggage checks as required
  • Keeping a record of all visitors including the time of arrival and departure
  • Monitoring surveillance cameras
  • Responding to alarms within the premises
  • Patrolling the premises regularly to ensure nothing is out of place
  • Liaising with law enforcement in the case of suspected or reported criminal activity
  • Performing scheduled and random checks of designated areas throughout the facility to check for any security breaches
  • Assisting the maintenance staff in securing an area during a maintenance emergency

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Security Guard Job Description Examples:

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Indeed’s Employer Resource Library helps businesses grow and manage their workforce. With over 15,000 articles in 6 languages, we offer tactical advice, how-tos and best practices to help businesses hire and retain great employees.

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What does a Security Guard do?

A Security Guard is responsible for ensuring the security of a building and the things and people in it. They use surveillance equipment, alarms and access control applications to keep the people and items under their watch secure. If there’s a problem related to the damaged property, criminal activity or other disturbances, the Security Guards will deal with the problem and contact authorities.

Security Guard skills and qualifications

A successful Security Guard candidate will have certain prerequisite skills and qualifications in order to fulfill their duties effectively. These skills include:

  • Knowledge of standard security and safety protocols
  • Excellent verbal communication skills
  • Ability to work well in a team
  • Exceptional physical fitness and strength
  • Quick thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Strong attention to detail
  • Ability to work in high-pressure environments
  • Working knowledge of relevant computer applications

Security Guard experience requirements

Security Guards are usually required to complete on-the-job training. They must also have experience applying standard security protocol in a relevant setting (residential or commercial). Candidates with at least a year more experience in a security role are preferred along with candidates who have experience working with surveillance equipment, using scanning tools and carrying out safe pat-downs.

For Senior Security Guard or Security Supervisor positions, candidates must have at least five years of experience working as a Security Guard. They must also have experience managing a team of Security Guards and performing administrative tasks related to the role.

Security Guard education and training requirements

Security Guards must have the minimum General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) in English and maths. A Bachelor’s Degree is typically not required, but may improve their employability. Security Guards are required to obtain a front line licence from the Security Industry Authority (SIA) before they can apply to work in the field. To obtain this licence, Security Guards must obtain either a Level 2 Award for Working as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry, or Award for Working as a Security Officer within the Private Security Industry (Scotland) at SCQF level 6. Previous police or military training is a plus.

Security Guard salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, Security Guards earn an average salary of £9.29 per hour. This figure will vary depending on the number of years of experience, industry and geographical location. It will also depend on whether the Security Guard is employed directly or through a private security firm.

Job description samples for similar positions

If you liked this sample but are not currently hiring a Security Guard, here are other job description samples that may fit your needs:

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Security Guard job description FAQs

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