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Security Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

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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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Security personnel, or a Security Officer, provides protection and surveillance for a person, group, organization or asset. Their duties include patrolling a specific area, providing protection when needed and maintaining incident reports.

Security job duties and responsibilities

A competent Security Officer should be in a position to handle various duties and responsibilities within their work environment. Typically, all Security Officers have these main duties and responsibilities:

  • Protect the business’ property, staff and the environment by keeping the location secure.
  • Apprehend trespassers and remove people who violate the rules of the location they secure.
  • Report any suspicious incidences to management in detail.
  • Act in a lawful manner while in defense of the property, staff and environment they are in charge of.
  • Conduct regular and random patrols around the business building and perimeter.

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Security 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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Job Description Best Practices
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What does Security do?

Security personnel are typically employed by any organization that requires assistance keeping their building secure and employees protected. Depending on the type of security they provide, Security personnel might travel with people or assets from one point to another or patrol an indoor or outdoor area to keep trespassers out. Some Security personnel work with individuals while others work for companies or events. Many Security personnel have previous experience in the military or law enforcement before working in the field of security.

Security skills and qualifications

A successful candidate for a Security position will have various qualifications to make them an ideal candidate. The following skills are important for a Security Officer:

  • Great interpersonal and communication skills when dealing with business customers and other visitors to the premises
  • Detailed understanding of best security policies, practices and the law
  • Great physical strength and agility
  • Keen and observant eye to ensure any suspicious activity does not go unnoticed
  • Ability to act with integrity and in a professional manner
  • Ability to operate emergency equipment and intruder detection systems
  • First aid or CPR certifications

Security salary expectations

The average salary for a Security Officer is $13.18 per hour. The salary varies from location to location and also depends on the company. Therefore, before starting the salary in a job description, it is important to confirm the salary with other companies in the same category to ensure that the compensation is fair to the Security Officers who are interested in the position.

Security salary expectations

2025-10-017.2518.4634.65HOURLY
  • Common salary: 18.46 HOURLY
  • Typical salaries range from 7.25 - 34.65 HOURLY
  • Find more information on Indeed Salaries

*Indeed data – 2025-10-01

Security education and training requirements

In some locations where the business needs a very experienced Security Officer, the requirements may specify that they need former military members with highly specialized prior training. However, a certification in security training and superb physical fitness are enough for most Security Personnel jobs.

Security experience requirements

Previous experience is always an added advantage to an organization seeking to add staff to its ranks. Having relevant experience means that the company does not need to invest too much money in training processes. A Security Officer should have prior security-related work experience. Experience in working with security equipment such as alarm and monitoring equipment and telephones is required. However, some employers provide on the job training to new security personnel.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this Security job description does not fit your requirements, consider these similar positions:

Job Description Best Practices
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Frequently asked questions about Security

Three individuals are sitting at a table with a laptop, a disposable coffee cup, notebooks, and a phone visible. Two are facing each other, while the third’s back is to the camera. The setting appears to be a bright room with large windows.

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Job Description Examples

Need help writing a job description for a specific role? Use these job description examples to create your next great job posting. Or if you’re ready to hire, post your job on Indeed.

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