Security Guards Occupation Details

General Job Description and Education/Training Levels for Security Guards

The main tasks and work activities of Security Guards are to patrol properties to maintain safety, respond to emergencies to provide assistance, investigate illegal or suspicious activities, prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas. In general, for the Security Guards, active Listening, monitoring, speaking, reading Comprehension and other 6 skills are required.

Security Guards Job Description
Education	These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Related Experience	Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Job Training	Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Example	These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, and tellers.

The following chart shows the education/training levels for Security Guards jobs. 88.95% of Security Guards have High School Diploma (or the equivalent) and 1.03% of Security Guards have Post-Secondary Certificate.

Less than a High School Diploma

0.00%

High School Diploma (or the equivalent)

88.95%

Post-Secondary Certificate

1.03%

Some College Courses

8.89%

Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)

1.12%

Bachelor's Degree and Above

0.01%

Tasks and Work Activities of Security Guards

Patrol industrial or commercial premises to prevent and detect signs of intrusion and ensure security of doors, windows, and gates.
Answer alarms and investigate disturbances.
Monitor and authorize entrance and departure of employees, visitors, and other persons to guard against theft and maintain security of premises.
Write reports of daily activities and irregularities, such as equipment or property damage, theft, presence of unauthorized persons, or unusual occurrences.
Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire or presence of unauthorized persons.
Circulate among visitors, patrons, or employees to preserve order and protect property.
Answer telephone calls to take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours or when switchboard is closed.
Warn persons of rule infractions or violations, and apprehend or evict violators from premises, using force when necessary.
Operate detecting devices to screen individuals and prevent passage of prohibited articles into restricted areas.
Escort or drive motor vehicle to transport individuals to specified locations or to provide personal protection.
Inspect and adjust security systems, equipment, or machinery to ensure operational use and to detect evidence of tampering.
Monitor and adjust controls that regulate building systems, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.
Lock doors and gates of entrances and exits to secure buildings.
Respond to medical emergencies by administering basic first aid or by obtaining assistance from paramedics.

Getting InformationObserving, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesProviding information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
Documenting/Recording InformationEntering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
Making Decisions and Solving ProblemsAnalyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
Monitor Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsMonitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
Performing for or Working Directly with the PublicPerforming for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
Processing InformationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.
Identifying Objects, Actions, and EventsIdentifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersHandling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.
Training and Teaching OthersIdentifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Patrol properties to maintain safety.
Respond to emergencies to provide assistance.
Investigate illegal or suspicious activities.
Prevent unauthorized individuals from entering restricted areas.
Monitor access or flow of people to prevent problems.
Write operational reports.
Request emergency personnel.
Maintain public order or security.
Use weapons or physical force to maintain security.
Warn individuals about rule violations or safety concerns.
Operate surveillance equipment to detect suspicious or illegal activities.
Drive vehicles to transport individuals or equipment.
Inspect equipment to ensure safety or proper functioning.
Block physical access to restricted areas.
Provide first aid or rescue assistance in emergencies.

Skills and Abilities for Security Guards

Active ListeningGiving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
MonitoringMonitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
SpeakingTalking to others to convey information effectively.
Reading ComprehensionUnderstanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
CoordinationAdjusting actions in relation to others' actions.
Critical ThinkingUsing logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Social PerceptivenessBeing aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Active LearningUnderstanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.
WritingCommunicating effectively in writing as appropriate for the needs of the audience.

Problem SensitivityThe ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing there is a problem.
Far VisionThe ability to see details at a distance.
Oral ComprehensionThe ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.
Selective AttentionThe ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.
Speech ClarityThe ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.
Speech RecognitionThe ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.
Oral ExpressionThe ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
Near VisionThe ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).
Flexibility of ClosureThe ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.
Deductive ReasoningThe ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.
Perceptual SpeedThe ability to quickly and accurately compare similarities and differences among sets of letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns. The things to be compared may be presented at the same time or one after the other. This ability also includes comparing a presented object with a remembered object.
Inductive ReasoningThe ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

Desktop computerse.g. Desktop computers
Digital camcorders or video camerase.g. Digital video cameras
Emergency medical services first aid kitse.g. First aid kits
Flashlighte.g. Flashlights
Notebook computerse.g. Laptop computers
Laser fax machinee.g. Laser facsimile machines
Handcuffse.g. Metal handcuffs
Special purpose telephonese.g. Multi-line telephone systems
Fire extinguisherse.g. Multipurpose fire extinguishers
Night stickse.g. Nightsticks
Automobiles or carse.g. Patrol cars
Golf cartse.g. Patrol golf carts
Hand sprayerse.g. Pepper spray
Personal computerse.g. Personal computers
Photocopierse.g. Photocopiers
Handgunse.g. Pistols
Handcuffse.g. Plastic handcuffs
Handgunse.g. Revolvers
Alarm systemse.g. Security alarm systems
Security or access control systemse.g. Security surveillance systems

Public Safety and SecurityKnowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.
English LanguageKnowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Customer and Personal ServiceKnowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

Security Guards Occupation Detailed Description

Tasks and Work Activities of Security Guards

Skills and Abilities for Security Guards