There are many steps to the hiring process, but the one that deserves the most attention is the process of writing an appealing and interesting job description. Long before resumes are read or interviews are conducted, you will be charged with writing a job description that convinces qualified applicants to apply. If your description is effective, you will have the privilege of interviewing some of the most experienced and educated applicants in your area, but if it falls short, you may not have any applicants to interview. If you are ready to start the writing process feeling confident and focused, use the Security Officer job description sample below as a guide for your own uniquely written job posting.
Security Officer Job Summary
The security officer will be responsible for maintaining and securing the building and premises for customers and employees. He or she will also be expected to patrol the property and report any suspicious activity to the proper authorities. The officer will be expected to know the difference between authorized employees and unauthorized outsiders. To help the officer better perform his or her job, security cameras and other surveillance equipment will be employed frequently.
Security Officer Job Responsibilities and Duties:
- Patrols property and ensures that premises and personnel are safe
- Reviews and monitors surveillance equipment
- Controls access points and grants entry to authorized persons
- Restrains and questions trespassers
- Reduces loss and damages through regular reporting
- Directs traffic and drivers
- Ensures that equipment is operational
- Records observations, details, incidents, and surveillance activities
- Performs other requested functions
Security Officer Skills and Qualifications
- Ability to lift packages and other materials
- Knowledge of safety management procedures
- Reliable
- Able to maintain an objective point of view during interviews
- Strong surveillance skills
- High degree of emotional control
- Ability to make difficult decisions and judgments
- Reporting skills
- Able to maintain a professional demeanor in an uncertain and formal environment
Company Profile
New Frontiers Security has been providing high-quality security and surveillance services for over 25 years. We understand the challenges and difficulties associated with maintaining a safe and orderly environment, so we strive to provide our clients with reliable and professional security services. Our guards and monitors are expertly trained to secure your workplace and keep you safe, even in the most stressful situations. We aim to be a leader in the security field by living up to our unblemished reputation.
Writing a Job Description Best Practices
- The Security Officer job description sample above can serve as a wonderful resource for many employers, but you may still be required to exercise a bit of improvisation and creativity at times. If this happens to you, simply look over the following list of job description do’s and don’ts. These tips will ensure that your description stands out from the crowd and garners attention.
- Do include a call-to-action. This will encourage jobseekers to apply for the position in a unique and compelling manner. Remember to use inviting, action-oriented language when writing a CTA.
- Do include recruiter contact information. If a candidate has any questions or concerns, he or she may need to contact you directly. This information will ensure that the lines of communication between you and your applicants remain open.
- Do use five keywords or less. Your description’s search engine ranking will depend on the amount and type of keywords that you employ. If you use too many or too few keywords, it will be difficult for jobseekers to find the posting if they utilize a search engine.
- Do remain clear and focused. If your description is chocked full of verbiage or vague language, jobseekers may or may not understand what you are attempting to say. Try to underscore the most important topics and avoid using too many words. When your description remains focused, qualified applicants will remain focused.
- Don’t use abbreviations in your job title. Abbreviations have the potential to confuse applicants and make it difficult to find your description with a search engine. If you do decide to utilize abbreviations, be sure that you include the full job title as well. (Ex: Registered Nurse/R.N.)
- Don’t include salary or benefits information if it is against company policy. Many companies and organizations do not allow human resource managers to post information regarding wages.
- Don’t post your description later in the week. By posting your description on Monday or Tuesday, it will seem fresher to jobseekers.
All of these tips can help you to create a dynamic and alluring job description from scratch.
Security Officer Job Responsibilities
Every company needs to take security seriously. If you are searching for quality security officers for your business, your job listing should stand out from the rest. Writing an excellent job responsibilities section for your security officer job description is the first step in attracting the best applicants to your company.
The duties of a security officer vary widely from business to business. Compile the responsibilities portion of your security officer job description in a precise manner that clearly states what tasks your company requires. Since this tends to be the bulkiest part of your posting, use short statements in a bulleted list, so a jobseeker can quickly assess if yours is a suitable position. Keep your list under eight items, as a longer list may deter potential candidates.
Compose the responsibilities section with an eye toward what your company might offer the jobseeker. A position that allows for growth and training has greater appeal than a dead-end job. Share a bit about your company culture, so the candidate can imagine fitting in. Use language that shows how the security officer’s contributions will be valuable to your business.
Here is a list of security officer job responsibilities that may be useful when devising your description:
- Provide a safe environment with a high level of customer service
- Patrol the facilities
- Respond to security incidents and report safety hazards
- Maintain daily logs and write incident reports
- Assist with maintenance duties as needed
Security Officer Job Specifications
There are many factors to consider when you write your security officer job description, not the least of which are the necessary skills and qualifications for the position. In this part of your listing, include the education, training and experience you’d like the ideal candidate to have. Don’t forget items such as security clearances, physical appearance and people skills, which may be important to your business. Consult with your hiring manager to ensure that you have an inclusive list.
As you craft the job qualifications and skills section of your security officer job description, remember that the primary goal of this portion is to weed out those jobseekers who are not a good match for your company. Interviewing candidates that are over- or underqualified is a waste of time and money. Be clear in your expectations. If your company culture is such that the security officer can have no visible piercings, then say so up front. Likewise, with issues such as having a clean driving record or a valid driver’s license, let prospects know your requirements so only the qualified will apply.
These sample security officer job specifications may be helpful to you as you put together your own posting:
- At least 18 years old
- Dependable transportation and clean driving record
- Ability to remain calm in high-stress and emergency situations
- Handcuff Tactics certification
- Certified Protection Officer training
- High school diploma or equivalent