Security Supervisors manage the security department of an organization.
This post provides exhaustive information on the security supervisor job description and carer, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.
It also shows how to become a security supervisor, the requirements to meet to be hired, and the various career opportunities you can explore as a security supervisor.
Please, read on:
What Does a Security Supervisor Do?
The security supervisor is responsible for managing various aspects of a security department for a government agency or business.
According to Science Direct, the duties of a security supervisor entails coordinating the work of security officers, overseeing security operations, and standing in as a liaison between staff and security administration.
Some of the duties that make up the security supervisor job description include monitoring security equipment, supervising other security staff, like the security guards, and assembling, documenting abnormal occurrences on a job site, and training of security teams.
People working as security supervisors are often required to meet with other supervisory employees so as to discuss important security matters with them.
Supervisors in charge of security are expected to be organized, have a keen eye for detail, trustworthy, and able to manage others effectively.
They can rise to be supervisors after they must have proved their skills and expertise in a lower-level security position.
A supervisor may be required to carry a weapon and must obtain legal permission to do so.
In some cases, these professionals are required to undergo special training(s) associated with security matters and learn how to perform well on the job.
Generally, their job descriptions are not all the same, this is because the duties and responsibilities of security supervisors vary according to the employer that they work for and the industry they work in.
Different employers and industries have different specific security needs for the security team to handle.
However, almost all security supervisors are responsible for hiring, managing, disciplining, training, and firing other staff members working under them as the case may be.
Therefore, most jobs of this kind require some amount of detailed record keeping.
It is very common for a supervisor to be expected to operate computer programs for gathering data and storing information, as well as for the purpose of monitoring employees.
They may also work with technical staff members so as to ensure that computer data is secured and safe.
Other tasks they may carry out include operating monitoring equipment and complex security cameras.
Some security supervisors patrol the grounds of a business where they are employed while others work in an office setting and monitor events from there.
Often times, a supervisor is required to welcome and greet visitors and also make sure that they are properly accounted for at all times.
In case of any security threat, he/she must be ready to direct staff members to take appropriate measures to neutralize such threat.
Also, they work with local police departments. Such is particularly necessary when there is a security breech and it is necessary for an outside investigation to take place.
In this case, they might be required to divulge sensitive security information to the police in order to solve a crime.
Here is a list of common duties/tasks, and responsibilities contained in the job description of a security supervisor:
Write and submit security reports
Provide security
Maintain law and order in area of jurisdiction
Monitor staff by patrolling with them
Assign work areas for officers to patrol
Protect the people and property
Conduct routine patrols with team
Look out for suspicious persons, vandalism or hazards
Respond to alarms and distress calls
Ensure all security systems, like the burglar alarms and CCTV are working properly
Security Supervisor Job Description for Resume
To prepare a resume to be used in seeking the job of security supervisor, the job description example given above can provide the information needed to complete the work experience section of the resume.
Security Supervisor Requirements: Knowledge, Abilities, and Skills for Career Success
Security supervisors are required to possess the following skills, knowledge, and abilities to perform maximally on the job:
Good communication skills
Critical thinking skills
Must be able to observe situations and make appropriate response
Must be able to work with speed
Must have previous experience as a police officer, military police officer or security guard
Must have valid driver’s license
Must have no criminal record.
Security Supervisor Employment
According to data on the Zippia website, there are more than 523,691 security supervisors currently in employment in the United States.
While the percentage of male security supervisors is 81.6%, that of the female is 18.4%.
However, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, in its May, 2023 report shows that there were 64,900 first-line supervisors of security workers employed in the United States.
Employment by Industry
From the Zippia report, the industries with the highest number of employments for security supervisors in the U.S. include:
Utilities: 83,791
Hospitality: 73,317
Professional: 73,317
Fortune 500: 52,369
Manufacturing: 31,421
Employment by States
The Zippia data also shows the States where security supervisors are mostly employed, including California and Texas, with 3,614 and 2,213 employments respectively.
Security Supervisor Salary
The average salary of a security supervisor in the U.S., according to current data from Zippia, is $41,818 per year.
However, the U.S. BLS by their May 2023 report gives the average salary of first-line supervisors of security workers to be $59,580 per year.
The States that pay the highest salaries to security supervisors in the United States include District of Columbia and Maryland, with $60,512 and $59,108 average salaries per year respectively.
The security supervisor’s career can lead to other exciting and rewarding job positions, like advanced security officer, senior security officer, and chief security inspector.
Security Supervisor Career Opportunities
A security supervisor can work in different roles as they progressed in their career, some of these roles include:
Advanced Security Officer
The advanced security officer is someone who has been in the security field for more than 5 years and has gained a lot of experience and knowledge on the job.
The advanced security officer usually has better opportunities for higher wages and a potential for promotion in larger companies.
2. Senior Security Officer
Senior security officers are individuals who have been in the industry for between 2-5 years.
They are typically responsible for supervising other security personnel or working perimeters.
Senior security officers typically earn a little less than advanced security officers and generally have fewer opportunities for higher pay.
3. Chief Security Inspector
Chief security inspectors are individuals who have been in the security field for less than 2 years and have started working in a company as a security supervisor.
Chief security inspectors typically get promoted to senior security officers and take on more responsibilities.
4. Director of Security Services
Director of security services is someone who has been working in the security industry for more than 5 years and is responsible for the day to day operations of the department.
These individuals typically have opportunities for higher pay and promotion; however, they do face certain professional challenges.
Currently, there are very few companies that have a director of security services position available.
5. Standards and Practices Coordinator
Standards and practices coordinators, or as they are commonly known “SPC”s, are specialists who oversee the overall PRV program.
The SPC is usually responsible for training all of the security officers on all of the policies and procedures of the company.
In large companies, a SPC can have a higher visibility and may have more opportunities for promotion.
Currently, there are very few companies that have a SPC position available.
6. Chief of Security Operations
Chief of security operations are individuals who manage all the departments within the entire organization, including all of the security officers and any other personnel.
In some cases, there may be multiple chief of security operations depending on the size of the organization.
A chief of security operations typically has opportunities for higher pay and promotion; however, they face certain professional challenges.
Currently, there are very few companies that have a chief of security operations position available.
7. Director of Security
The director of security is the individual who is in charge of managing all the security officers and other personnel within the organization.
The director of security typically reports directly to the company’s president or CEO.
In some cases, there may be two directors of security, depending on the size and complexity of the organization.
The director of security typically has opportunities for higher pay and promotion; however, they face certain professional challenges.
Currently, there are very few companies that have a director of security position available.
8. Security Management Consultant
A security management consultant is an individual who has extensive experience in the security industry and works for many different security companies.
A security management consultant usually works on a contract basis and may provide advice to the security officers and or management about different security problems and issues.
Professionals in this field typically have higher pay as well as a wide range of opportunities for promotion within different firms in the industry.
9. Security Management Analyst
The security management analyst’s role is to provide data and information to help security services companies make business decisions regarding their security force.
Currently, there are very few companies that have a security management consultant or security management analyst position available.
10. Director of Security Operations
Director of security operations are individuals who manage all the departments within the entire organization, including all of the security officers and any other personnel.
In some cases, there may be multiple directors of security, depending on the size or complexity of the organization.
These individuals typically have opportunities for higher pay and promotion; however, they face certain professional challenges.
Currently, there are very few companies that have a director of security position available.
Challenges faced by Security Supervisor on the Job
Some of the challenges faced by security supervisors on the job include:
High stress level
There is high level of stress in the security field; this is particularly true for security supervisors.
A security supervisor is responsible for the safety and security of their entire department, as well as any other personnel the department may be responsible for.
On top of this, a security supervisor has to deal with a lot of personal stress because they have to make sure everything within their department runs smoothly at all times.
2. Physical demands
Security supervisors must be able to stand for long periods of time and move around quickly during security incidents.
They must also be able to lift and carry heavy objects for long periods of time without getting exhausted.
Working in hot weather may result in fatigue, stress, and tension and may cause strain to the shoulder, back, and neck muscles.
3. Communication with management
A security supervisor must be able to communicate effectively with their management.
They may also have to communicate with other personnel in the department, possibly dealing with the same issues that they are.
If a supervisor cannot effectively communicate, it can create problems at home and the office, resulting in stress and tension.
How to Become a Security Supervisor
A high school diploma or GED certificate, as well as extensive experience as a security guard, are typically required to become a security supervisor.
Some security supervisors have additional training, such as an Associate degree in Criminal Justice or a closely related field.
Excellent interpersonal, communication and technical skills are required, as well as knowledge of security technology, such as CCTV equipment, and the ability to work in potentially dangerous or high-stress situations.
Major Benefits of a Security Supervisor Career
Some of the major benefits of a security supervisor career include the following:
Great Growth Opportunities
A security supervisor is a highly influential figure within their department and in the industry at large.
Security supervisors have an opportunity to have an impact on the growth and development of their company, as well as making a great contribution to society.
2. High Pay
A security supervisor normally earns a great amount of money, with all of the skills and abilities they possess.
In addition to needing a high level of skill, continual training is also required, giving their career growth opportunities over many years.
3. Job Security
Security occupations are expected to grow at a faster rate than other occupations through 2018.
Job opportunities should be good in most areas.
There will be a need for security supervisors with experience, knowledge, and skill in order to fill the positions of many retiring workers.
4. Fun and interesting work
While the job of a security supervisor can be challenging and stressful, it is also interesting and fun.
Security supervisors get to deal with an array of situations that can vary from day to day.
5. Work environment
Security supervisors work in a variety of environments, from small security departments in small businesses to large-scale departmental operations.
Working conditions may range from comfortable to uncomfortable.
Security supervisors have the opportunity to experience many different job settings over the course of their careers, which can make their jobs interesting and fun.
6. Better job satisfaction
Many security supervisors have better job satisfaction when compared to those who work in other fields.
This is because they are making a difference in the work they do and they are also having fun while doing it.
7. Better chances of promotion in the future
A security supervisor has a greater chance of being promoted to a higher position in the future, which is often one of the most important factors in determining their career satisfaction.
This is because there are fewer jobs available for supervisors than there is for other occupations with similar or lower levels of education, difficulty, and training.
Conclusion
There are many benefits to being a security supervisor, but it is also a difficult job.
It can be extremely stressful; yet, it can be very rewarding as well.
If you are interested in becoming a security supervisor, then you should have passion for the job and willingness to work hard.
This post is helpful to individuals interested in becoming a security supervisor; they will learn all they need to know about what the career entails, including their duties and responsibilities.
It is also useful to recruiters/employers needing to make a job description for the security supervisor’s role in their organization, for use in hiring for the position.
They can apply the sample security supervisor job description above in making one for their companies.
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