Occupation · SOC 33-1091
First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers
Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.
Median wage
$58,610
$37,800–$93,930
Projected growth
—
—
Annual openings
—
per year
Employed (US)
70,310
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
32 mapped
Core skills
Active ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingSpeakingCritical ThinkingReading ComprehensionManagement of Personnel ResourcesMonitoringWriting
Knowledge areas
Public Safety and SecurityAdministration and ManagementCustomer and Personal ServicePersonnel and Human ResourcesLaw and Government
Technology & tools
Calendar and scheduling softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareData base user interface and query softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
Investigate disturbances on the premises, such as security alarms, altercations, and suspicious activity.Patrol the premises to prevent or detect intrusion, protect property, or preserve order.Monitor and authorize entry of employees, visitors, or other persons.Secure entrances and exits by locking doors and gates.Write reports documenting observations made while on patrol.Monitor the behavior of security employees to ensure adherence to quality standards, deadlines, or procedures.Advise employees in handling problems or resolving complaints from customers, tenants, detainees, or other persons.Assign security personnel to posts or patrols.Recruit, interview, and hire security personnel.Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire, bomb threats, and presence of unauthorized persons.Apprehend or evict trespassers, rule violators, or other security threats from the premises.Monitor closed-circuit television cameras.Screen individuals and belongings to prevent passage of prohibited materials using walkthrough detectors, wands, or bag searches.Inspect and adjust security equipment to ensure it is operational or to detect evidence of tampering.Train security personnel on protective procedures, first aid, fire safety, and other duties.Explain company policies and procedures to staff using oral or written communication.Develop and document security procedures, policies, or standards.Schedule training or drills for emergencies, such as fires, bombs, and other threats.Log items distributed to persons, such as keys and key cards.Write and present department budgets to upper management or other stakeholders.Order materials or supplies, such as keys, uniforms, and badges.
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Premises patrol routes — execute under direct supervision to detect signs of intrusion or disorder at an assigned facility.Entry and exit points — secure by locking doors and gates according to established shift protocols at a commercial or institutional site.Security alarms and disturbance alerts — respond to and report findings to a supervising officer upon initial notification.Visitor and employee access logs — monitor and record authorized entry using a sign-in register or basic access-control terminal.Shift observation reports — draft written documentation of patrol activities using standardized templates provided by the organization.Security post orders and procedures — read and follow written instructions to maintain compliance during a scheduled shift.Radio and telephone communications — receive and relay basic messages clearly under guidance on a security operations channel.Suspicious activity indicators — recognize and escalate to senior staff using the facility's reporting chain of command.Scheduling software and electronic mail — use basic features to review shift assignments and communicate routine updates.Coworker interactions and customer contacts — apply active listening to gather information and de-escalate low-level disputes on site.
developing
Security patrol coverage — conduct independently across an entire shift, adjusting routes in response to observed conditions at a multi-building property.Disturbance investigations — gather witness statements, document findings, and coordinate with law enforcement when required at a commercial facility.Access-control monitoring — authorize or deny entry for employees, contractors, and visitors by applying standing site policies with minimal oversight.Daily incident reports — compose clear, accurate written summaries of patrol observations and disturbances for supervisory review.Security team members — provide on-the-spot coaching on procedure compliance and quality standards during shared patrol assignments.Customer and tenant complaints — advise frontline officers on resolution strategies, applying personal-service principles in a facility setting.Time and attendance records — maintain accurate data using scheduling or time-accounting software to support payroll and shift coverage needs.Situational risk cues — apply inductive reasoning to identify emerging safety concerns before they escalate during routine operations.Radio and telecommunications systems — operate and troubleshoot basic equipment to sustain communications across a distributed security post.Staff performance observations — monitor individual officer behavior against posted standards and document deviations for supervisory follow-up.
proficient
On-site disturbance investigations — lead end-to-end inquiries involving alarms, altercations, or trespassing and produce formal case documentation at a complex commercial or institutional site.Security officer teams — supervise daily performance autonomously, applying judgment to reassign personnel in response to non-routine incidents or staffing gaps.Entry-control procedures — evaluate and refine access-authorization protocols to close observed vulnerabilities at a high-traffic facility.Post orders and security plans — draft and update written operational documents that translate regulatory requirements into actionable shift instructions.Recruitment and selection process — conduct structured interviews, assess candidate suitability, and recommend hiring decisions for security positions.Complex complaints and detainee interactions — resolve escalated conflicts by applying negotiation and persuasion techniques within legal and policy boundaries.Multi-area patrol strategy — design patrol schedules and post assignments that balance risk coverage with available staffing resources.Incident data and shift reports — analyze patterns across multiple reports using spreadsheet or database tools to identify recurring security risks.New officer onboarding — deliver structured on-the-job instruction covering patrol techniques, report writing, and emergency response protocols.Emergency and law-enforcement coordination — serve as the primary site liaison during critical incidents, communicating clearly with external agencies under stress.
advanced
Security department strategy — establish goals, standards, and performance metrics aligned with organizational risk tolerance and executive priorities.Workforce planning and talent pipeline — design recruitment, screening, and retention programs that ensure consistent staffing quality across all shifts and posts.Security policy and procedure library — author and own comprehensive operational frameworks governing patrol, access control, investigations, and emergency response.Cross-functional leadership team — coordinate with facilities management, HR, and legal counsel to align security operations with broader organizational compliance requirements.Officer development curriculum — design and oversee training programs that build competency from entry level through supervisory roles across the security division.Enterprise risk assessment — apply complex problem-solving and deductive reasoning to evaluate facility-wide vulnerabilities and recommend capital or operational mitigation investments.Budget and resource allocation — manage personnel scheduling, equipment procurement, and technology adoption using ERP and administrative software platforms.Organizational culture of integrity — model and enforce ethical standards, dependability, and self-control expectations that shape department-wide conduct.Regulatory and legal compliance — interpret law-and-government requirements and translate them into enforceable site-specific security policies that protect the organization from liability.Stakeholder reporting and executive communication — present security performance data, incident trends, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership and external partners.
Also known as
92 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Security Forces Craftsman, Combat Arms (Air Force 3P071B)Harbor Security Patrol Leader (Navy P03A)Security Forces Helper, Combat Arms (Air Force 3P011B)Security Guard SupervisorSecurity Floor SupervisorTSA Screener Supervisor (Transportation Security Administration Screener Supervisor)Manager, Internal SecurityCoastal/Harbor Defense Officer (Navy 9456)Brig Officer (Navy 3412)Security Forces Craftsman (Air Force 3P071)Armed Security SupervisorPublic Safety SupervisorSecurity Forces Helper, Military Working Dog Handler (Air Force 3P011A)Security Field SupervisorProtective Service Specialist (Navy P09A)Dog Handler (Navy P05A)Security Forces Manager (Air Force 3P000)Security Forces Helper (Air Force 3P011)Security ChiefSecurity Officer SupervisorGuard (Marine Corps 8151)Chief Master-At-Arms (CMAA) (Navy P01A)Facilities Manager (Navy 9442)Military Police (Marine Corps 5811)Security Forces (Air Force 31P3)Security DirectorOfficer SergeantSecurity Forces (Air Force 3P0X1)Corrections Officer (Marine Corps 5804)Law Enforcement and Security Officer, Shore Activity (Navy 2775)Security Forces (Air Force 31PX)Master-At-Arms (Navy MA)Security Shift SupervisorSecurity LieutenantBoarding Specialist (Navy 002650)Safety SupervisorExpeditionary Force Detainee/Confinement Operations - Deployed (Navy 807G)Security Forces Journeyman (Air Force 3P051)Traffic Management and Collision Investigator (Marine Corps 5813)Security Forces (Air Force 31P4)