Job Description for a Security Guard Supervisor
Security guard supervisors are in charge of the security at places such as dance clubs, museums, office buildings and other public facilities. They hire, organize and train guards, giving them the skills needed to make sure the premises are safe and that everyone on the premises has a legal right to be there. Officers also guard against property damage.
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Background
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Most security supervisors need to receive a license before being hired by an establishment. Becoming licensed typically consists of a drug test, a background check and class work that consists of lessons on how to detain patrons and handle other emergency situations--although licensing varies by state. In most instances, security supervisors need to be at least 21 years old and possess a high school diploma or GED. Also, most security supervisors spent time as guards before being promoted into a management position.
Duties
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The primary role of security supervisors is to protect the lives or property of their clients, and to teach those under them to do the same. In a club, that may mean maintaining order among patrons. At a private residence or public facility such as a museum, it means preventing or dealing with theft or vandalism. They may also be in charge of protecting banks or armored vehicles. Security supervisors must be alert to suspicious activity and know how to handle any threatening situation.
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Use of Force
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Security supervisors should be experts in handling adverse situations or unruly patrons. Not only must they handle such situations themselves, but they must also know how to relay their expertise to a staff of guards. Occasionally, drastic security measures will be needed, calling for security to physically remove a patron or suspect from the premises. In other words, security supervisors and their staffs should have the necessary skills and confidence to use force when necessary.
Outlook
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Job prospects for security supervisors and guards are favorable, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Employment for guards is expected to grow by 14 percent from 2008 to 2018, with more than 150,000 new jobs becoming available in that time. While there is no firm data for supervisors, it is assumed those positions will grow along with the rest of the industry.
Earnings
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According to PayScale.com, security supervisors earned from $30,000 to more than $80,000 per year in January 2010. Much of that depended upon the supervisor's experience and the type of industry in which he worked. Meanwhile, security guards earned anywhere from $11 to $13 an hour in May 2008, the BLS reported.
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References
- Photo Credit officer image by Snezana Skundric from Fotolia.com
