Security guard job description: duties, requirements and a template you can copy

A security guard job description says what an officer protects, what they do on each shift, what license and skills the job needs, and when and where they work. A clear one brings in applicants who can do the work, sets expectations before the first shift, and gives the post orders a starting point.

Below is a template you can copy, then notes on how to adapt it for each post. Licensing rules differ by state, so check your state's requirements before you post the job.

Key points#

• Lead with the site and the type of post: an applicant decides in seconds whether a night patrol or a lobby desk fits them.
• List duties as actions an officer does on shift, not general qualities.
• State the license, age and background check requirements your state sets.
• Give the schedule, pay range and whether the post is armed or unarmed.

Security guard job description template#

Job title: Security Officer (Unarmed), [site type, for example Office Building or Construction Site]

Location: [City, state], [client site or several sites]

Schedule: [Days and hours, for example Friday to Monday, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.], [full time or part time]

Pay: [Hourly range], [overtime rules]

About the role: [Company name] provides security officers for [client types]. As a security officer at [site], you protect people and property, control access, patrol the site and report what you see.

Duties and responsibilities:

• Control who enters and leaves the site: check IDs and passes, sign in visitors and vendors, and keep the visitor log.
• Patrol the site on foot or by vehicle on a set route, and scan each checkpoint on the route.
• Watch cameras and alarm panels where the post has them, and respond to alarms.
• Spot and report safety hazards, damage, open doors and suspicious activity.
• Write a daily activity report each shift and an incident report for anything unusual, with photos where the post orders ask for them.
• Follow the post orders for the site, and know the emergency procedures and contacts.
• Call the supervisor, police, fire or medical services when the post orders say to, and stay with the situation until help arrives.
• Give directions and help to employees, visitors and the public.
• Hand over the post to the next officer with a clear pass-down of open issues.

Requirements:

• At least 18 years old (21 for some armed posts and states).
• A valid security guard license or registration for [state], or the ability to get one before the first shift.
• Pass a background check and drug test, where the company requires them.
• Complete the state-required training, plus site training before working the post alone.
• Able to stand, walk and patrol for the length of the shift, in all weather for outdoor posts.
• Clear written and spoken [language] for reports and radio calls.
• A smartphone, if the company's officer app runs on it.

Preferred: Previous security, military or customer service experience; first aid and CPR certification; a valid driver's license for vehicle patrol posts.

How to adapt the template for each post#

• Office and lobby posts: put access control, visitor sign-in and customer service first.
• Construction and industrial sites: stress perimeter patrols, gates, equipment checks and outdoor work.
• Retail and shopping centers: add loss prevention, store opening and closing, and working with store staff.
• Hospitals and schools: add de-escalation training, visitor screening and any site-specific rules.
• Armed posts: state the firearm permit the state requires, the qualification schedule and the higher minimum age where it applies.

For the full list of duties by type of post, with a checklist for each shift, see security guard duties and responsibilities. The duties you list here become the core of the site's post orders. See what to include in security post orders for turning them into site instructions.

State licensing in the requirements#

Most US states license security guards, and each sets its own age, training and background check rules. In California, for example, a guard needs a BSIS security guard registration, with Power to Arrest training before it is issued and 32 hours of skills training within six months. See how to get a guard card in California.

Name the exact license your state requires in the job description, so applicants who already hold it apply first.

From job description to hire#

Post the description on job boards and your own site, then screen applicants against the requirements before the interview. The hiring process for guard companies covers screening, interviews and offers.

In Guardix, recruiting keeps candidates, notes and interview scheduling in one place, and once you hire, each officer's employee profile holds their documents, licenses and assignments. Officers then acknowledge the site's post orders and complete training in the phone app.

Frequently asked questions#

What are the main duties of a security guard?#

A security guard controls access to a site, patrols it, watches for and reports safety hazards and suspicious activity, responds to alarms and incidents, and writes daily activity and incident reports. The exact duties for a post are set in its post orders.

What is the difference between a security guard and a security officer job description?#

In practice the two titles are used for the same job. Some companies use "security officer" for roles with more responsibility, such as supervising a post or customer-facing duties, so say in the description which duties the role includes.

What qualifications does a security guard need?#

Most states require a minimum age, usually 18, a state security guard license or registration, a background check and state-required training. Employers often add a drug test, a valid driver's license for patrol posts, and first aid or CPR certification.

Should a security guard job description include the pay?#

Yes. Many applicants skip job ads without pay, and some states and cities require pay ranges in job postings. Give the hourly range, the overtime rules and any shift differentials.