Career & application guide

First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers

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What do first-line supervisors of security workers do?

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of security workers and security guards.

This describes a U.S. occupation, not a live vacancy. Individual employers may use different titles and requirements.

Job titles to recognize in your search

O*NET reports these titles for this occupation. Compare the responsibilities in each posting before treating titles as equivalent.

  • Campus Safety Chief
  • Public Safety Manager
  • Public Safety Supervisor
  • Security Chief
  • Security Director
  • Security Guard Supervisor
  • Security Lieutenant
  • Security Shift Supervisor

Core tasks to compare with a job posting

  • 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.
  • Recruit, interview, and hire security personnel.
  • Assign security personnel to posts or patrols.
  • Call police or fire departments in cases of emergency, such as fire, bomb threats, and presence of unauthorized persons.

Prepare an application for this occupation

  1. Check the employer’s requirements, location, schedule and any licenses against your situation.
  2. Choose two or three tasks above that match the posting and your actual experience.
  3. Build a resume evidence worksheet using the skills and software relevant to that employer.
  4. Practice explaining your contribution, decisions and results before an interview.

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