Special offer 

Jumpstart your hiring with a $100 CAD credit to sponsor your first job.*

Sponsored Jobs posted directly on Indeed are 40% more likely to report a hire than non-sponsored jobs**
  • Visibility for hard-to-fill roles through branding and urgently hiring
  • Instantly source candidates through matching to expedite your hiring
  • Access skilled candidates to cut down on mismatched hires

Security Guard Job Description: Top Duties and Requirements

Our mission

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.

Read our editorial guidelines
7 min read

A Security Guard protects establishments from theft and property damage, and maintains control over who enters and exits the establishment or event. The main responsibilities of a Security Guard are to protect the establishment; apprehend anyone who poses a threat to the establishment, event, or people; and ensure all civilians are safe at all times.

Security Guard duties and responsibilities

A Security Guard ensures the safety of their designated area and report unlawful acts to local authorities. Some of the duties and responsibilities of a Security Guard include:

  • Spot or prevent thefts
  • Detain anyone suspected of theft, vandalism, or violence
  • Patrol designated areas to verify any unlawful activity
  • Ensure all safety measures are in place to protect the establishment and patrons
  • Maintain a safe environment by performing routine security checks
  • Protect sensitive materials that are being shipped
  • Verify the identification of patrons to make sure they are in compliance with the law (if the establishment or event requires patrons to be of legal age)
  • Report any criminal acts to local law enforcement

Hire your next Security Guard today.

Post a job

Hire your next Security Guard today.

Post a job
Close

Security Guard Job Description Examples:

Our mission

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.

Read our editorial guidelines
Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

What does a Security Guard do?

Security Guards ensure the property or event they are guarding remains in safe condition. They are responsible for ensuring the safety of the individuals within the building or at the event, for catching thieves or vandals and reporting them to local authorities, and for patrolling assigned areas to maintain peace and order. Armoured Car Guards are required to protect cash that is being transported and must carry a firearm. Corporate Security Officers must complete an investigation if an incident occurs within a corporate building they’re guarding.

Security Guard skills and qualifications

A successful Security Guard should possess the skills and qualifications to provide protection and deter possible criminals from targeting the establishment or the patrons within. Some of the skills and qualifications for a good Security Guard candidate include:

  • Strong surveillance skills
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Pays attention to detail
  • Comfortable in confrontational situations
  • Possesses the physical abilities and resilience to protect themselves as well as the establishment and patrons
  • Has a strong sense of justice
  • Strong interviewing skills
  • Can operate surveillance system software

Security Guard experience requirements

A Security Guard does not require experience at the entry level. However, the more senior the position (e.g., Armoured Guard, etc.), the more experience the candidate should have. Experience in law enforcement is considered an asset.

Security Guard education and training requirements

Security licensing is a requirement. If the position requires the Security Guard to carry a firearm, they must be licensed to use it.

Security Guard salary expectations

According to Indeed Salaries, the average Security Guard salary is $16.45 per hour per hour. The amount varies based on the level of experience, location, and type of industry. Varying responsibilities of Security Guards may also determine the pay scale.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this job description sample is not exactly what you had in mind, browse some of these related job descriptions:

Create a culture of innovation
Download our free step-by-step guide on encouraging healthy risk-taking
Get the guide

Security Guard job description FAQs

Two chefs, one wearing a red headband, review a laptop and take notes at a wooden table in a kitchen setting.

Hire your next Security Guard today

Post a job

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.

No search results found