Security Guards & Screeners
Work Activities
Use detecting equipment to screen individuals. Prevent forbidden material from entering protected areas.
Patrol factories or retail businesses to protect property. Check security of doors, windows, and gates.
Answer alarms and investigate any problems.
Monitor and allow employees, visitors, and other people to enter or leave buildings.
Write reports of daily activities and any problems, such as property damage, theft, or unusual events.
Use radio or telephone to call police or fire departments.
Walk among visitors, patrons, and employees to maintain order and protect property.
Answer telephone calls. Take messages, answer questions, and provide information during non-business hours.
Warn people when they are breaking rules. May remove troublemakers from buildings, using force when necessary.
Escort or drive individuals to places or events and provide protection.
Inspect security systems to make sure they are working and that no one has bothered them.
Drive and guard armored vehicles to transport and provide safe delivery of money and valuables.
Monitor and adjust temperature controls, such as air conditioning, furnace, or boiler.
Get information needed to do the job
Communicate with supervisors, peers, or subordinates
Document and record information
Make decisions and solve problems
Monitor events, materials, and surroundings
Perform for or work with the public
Process information
Identify objects, actions, and events
Resolve conflicts and negotiate with others
Teach others
Inspect equipment, structures, or materials
Guide, direct, and motivate others
Coordinate the work and activities of others
Evaluate information against standards
Establish and maintain relationships
Update and use job-related knowledge
Organize, plan, and prioritize work
Develop and build teams
Explain the meaning of information to others
Schedule work and activities
Perform activities that use the whole body
Judge the value of objects, services, or people
Coach others
Develop goals and strategies
Analyze data or information
Assist and care for others
Communicate with people outside the organization
Working Conditions
Interpersonal Relationships
Have a high level of social contact. They talk to the public and coworkers. Those who work night shifts generally have a lower level of social contact.
Are responsible for the health and safety of others.
Often deal with angry, unpleasant, or violent individuals. Guards who work at night clubs may deal with more aggression than other guards.
Are often placed in conflict situations.
Are somewhat responsible for work outcomes and the work done by other guards.
Communicate with the public and coworkers daily by telephone or in person.
Write letters and e-mails on a monthly basis.
Work in a group or as part of a team.
Physical Work Conditions
May work indoors or outdoors, depending on the type of job and duties.
Are often exposed to sounds and noise levels that are distracting and uncomfortable. Guards who work at night clubs may be exposed to uncomfortable noise levels more than other guards.
Are sometimes exposed to contaminants.
Sometimes are exposed to extremely bright or inadequate lighting conditions.
Work near other people, but usually have a few feet of space separating them from others.
Often wear a special uniform.
Work Performance
Must be exact in their work. Errors could result in injuries or property loss.
Repeat the same physical activities.
Make decisions on a regular basis that strongly impact the public. They consult supervisors for some decisions, but make most without talking to a supervisor.
Are usually able to set their tasks for the day without consulting with a supervisor.
Hours/Travel
Generally have a set schedule each week.
May work full time or part time, but most work 40 hours a week.
May work days, evenings, weekends, and holidays.
May eat on the job rather than take a break away from the site.
May be on-call in case of emergencies.
Physical Demands
Security guards frequently:
Walk or run for long periods of time.
Stand for long periods of time.
It is important for security guards to be able to:
See details of objects that are more than a few feet away.
Understand the speech of another person.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
See details of objects that are less than a few feet away.
It is not as important, but still necessary, for security guards to be able to:
Hear sounds and recognize the difference between them.
Focus on one source of sound and ignore others.
See differences between colors, shades, and brightness.
Use muscles to lift, push, pull, or carry heavy objects.
Use stomach and lower back muscles to support the body for long periods without getting tired.
Be physically active for long periods without getting tired or out of breath.
Move two or more limbs together (for example, two arms, two legs, or one leg and one arm) while remaining in place.
Determine the distance between objects.
React quickly using hands, fingers, or feet.
Use muscles to jump, sprint, or throw objects.
Use muscles for extended periods without getting tired.
Bend, stretch, twist, or reach out.
Coordinate movement of several parts of the body, such as arms and legs, while the body is moving.
Keep or regain the body's balance or stay upright when in an unstable position.
Make quick, precise adjustments to machine controls.
Choose quickly and correctly among various movements when responding to different signals.
Hold the arm and hand in one position or hold the hand steady while moving the arm.
While looking forward, see objects or movements that are off to the side.
See objects in very bright or glaring light.
Skills and AbilitiesCommunicate
Listen to others and ask questions.
Understand spoken information.
Speak clearly so listeners can understand.
Read and understand work-related materials.
Reason and Problem Solve
Notice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong.
Concentrate and not be distracted while performing a task.
Analyze ideas and use logic to determine their strengths and weaknesses.
Use reasoning to discover answers to problems.
Combine several pieces of information and draw conclusions.
Understand new information or materials by studying and working with them.
Manage Oneself, People, Time, and Things
Check how well one is learning or doing something.
Work with People
Change behavior in relation to others’ actions.
Be aware of others’ reactions and understand the possible causes.
Perceive and Visualize
Identify a pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in distracting material.
Quickly and accurately compare letters, numbers, objects, pictures, or patterns.
Knowledge
ecurity guards need knowledge in the following areas:
Public Safety and Security: How to protect people and property.
English Language: The meaning and use of the English language.
Customer and Personal Service: Providing special services to customers based on their needs.
Interests and Values
Security guards typically have the following interests:
Have realistic interests. They like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like to work with plants, animals, and physical materials such as wood, tools, and machinery. They often prefer to work outside.
Have conventional interests. They like work activities that follow set procedures, routines, and standards. They like to work with data and detail. They prefer working where there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Have enterprising interests. They like work activities that involve starting up and carrying out projects, especially in business. They like to lead and persuade others, make decisions, and take risks for profit.
Values
Security guards typically have the following work values:
Consider support from their employer important. They like to be treated fairly and have supervisors who will back them up. They prefer jobs where they are trained well.
Consider relationships important. They like to work in a friendly, non-competitive environment. They like to do things for other people. They prefer jobs where they are not pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
Consider independence important. They like to make decisions and try out ideas on their own. They prefer jobs where they can plan their work with little supervision.