Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Unarmed Security Guard

🎯 Role Definition

As an Unarmed Security Guard you are the organization's first line of defense for safety and loss prevention. You will maintain a safe environment through proactive patrols, access control, CCTV and alarm monitoring, incident documentation, and courteous interaction with employees, visitors and contractors. This role emphasizes prevention, rapid and accurate reporting, de-escalation, and adherence to site-specific post orders and regulatory requirements.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Retail associate or customer service representative with exposure to loss prevention procedures
Military or law enforcement veteran transitioning to civilian security roles
Facilities attendant, concierge, or building operations staff

Advancement To:

Security Supervisor or Lead Unarmed Officer
Armed Security Officer (where permitted)
Loss Prevention Specialist or Investigator
Security Manager or Director of Security
Facilities or Operations Management

Lateral Moves:

Customer Service Supervisor / Front Desk Manager
Safety Officer / Health & Safety Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Conduct scheduled and random patrols (on foot and/or vehicle as required) of assigned zones, buildings, and perimeter areas to deter theft, vandalism and unauthorized access, documenting observations and corrective actions in detailed logs and post orders.
Monitor live CCTV feeds and recorded footage for suspicious activity, proactively investigate anomalies, and escalate issues to management or law enforcement per site procedures while maintaining chain-of-custody for evidence.
Control access to facilities by verifying credentials, processing visitor sign-ins, issuing passes, inspecting deliveries, and enforcing site-specific access policies to minimize risk and ensure accountability.
Respond promptly to alarms, disturbances and safety concerns by assessing the situation, implementing de-escalation techniques, coordinating with first responders, and documenting the incident in clear, objective incident reports.
Prepare comprehensive written reports and shift logs that capture timelines, observed behavior, actions taken, names of involved parties, and any follow-up recommendations for investigations or corrective measures.
Enforce site rules and safety regulations consistently and professionally, educating employees and visitors on proper procedures and referring policy violations to supervisors or HR when appropriate.
Conduct safety inspections of common areas, exits, fire lanes, and emergency equipment (fires extinguishers, exit lighting) and report hazards or maintenance needs to facilities or safety teams for remediation.
Provide visible presence at high-traffic points (entrances, elevators, parking lots) to deter misconduct and assist with crowd control during events, shift changes, or emergency evacuations.
Escort employees, visitors or high-value assets to and from vehicles and entry points as requested, ensuring safe passage and maintaining situational awareness throughout the escort.
Coordinate with local law enforcement, emergency medical services, and internal stakeholders during incidents, providing accurate information and supporting investigations or evidence preservation.
Perform routine security audits and patrol checklists, identifying vulnerabilities (unlocked doors, propped gates, malfunctioning lighting) and recommending procedural or physical security improvements.
Execute loss prevention tasks such as bag checks, merchandise monitoring, and plainclothes observation (where policy permits), collaborating with store managers or loss prevention teams to reduce shrink and fraud.
Operate two-way radios, communication consoles, access control systems, and other security technology professionally to maintain continuous situational awareness and efficient response workflows.
Facilitate emergency response procedures such as evacuation, shelter-in-place, lockdowns and reunification processes by directing occupants, controlling egress routes, and using established communication protocols.
Deliver friendly, professional customer service—assisting with directions, contact information, and basic problem-solving—while maintaining security-first posture and confidentiality.
Support special events and contractor access by reviewing credentials, enforcing perimeter control, conducting pre-event sweeps, and coordinating temporary security plans with stakeholders.
Maintain professional appearance and adherence to uniform standards, ensuring all equipment (flashlight, radio, documentation) is present, operational, and logged during shift handovers.
Participate in shift handoffs and briefings, communicating unresolved incidents, ongoing safety concerns, and follow-up tasks to incoming staff to ensure continuity of coverage.
Assist in basic first aid or CPR when necessary (within certification scope) until medical personnel arrive, documenting care provided and notifying supervisory staff.
Review and follow post orders, site-specific SOPs and incident escalation matrices, proposing updates when processes are outdated or present risk to people or property.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with tenants, employees, vendors and external agencies to facilitate security cooperation and timely resolution of safety issues.
Use discretion and sound judgment while enforcing policies to minimize liability and protect the organization’s reputation; escalate sensitive matters to management rather than engaging beyond training.

Secondary Functions

Participate in internal safety committees and provide feedback on security trends, recurring incidents and near-miss events to inform prevention strategies.
Assist with onboarding and basic orientation for new security staff, sharing post orders, patrol routes and site-specific expectations under supervisory guidance.
Support ad-hoc investigations by gathering CCTV clips, compiling witness statements, and preserving documentation for HR or law enforcement review.
Help maintain asset inventories for security equipment and supplies, report shortages, and coordinate with procurement for replacements.
Contribute to periodic tabletop exercises and drills (evacuation, active threat awareness where applicable) to validate response plans and improve team readiness.
Complete training modules and certification renewals (CPR, first aid, site-specific safety training) to ensure compliance with regulatory and organizational requirements.
Provide written and verbal summaries of observations and recommendations to management to support continuous improvement of security posture.
Temporarily perform receptionist, lost & found, or package handling duties during peak periods while maintaining security controls.
Assist facilities operations by flagging maintenance items (lighting, door hardware, HVAC access points) that create safety or security exposures.
Track and archive daily logs, incident reports and evidence packets in secure systems or lockers in accordance with retention policies.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

CCTV / Video Surveillance Monitoring (operation, incident capture, footage export and preservation)
Access Control Systems & Visitor Management (badge systems, sign-in/outs, electronic locks)
Incident Reporting & Documentation (clear, chronological reports suitable for HR or law enforcement)
Alarm Monitoring & Response Protocols (reading alarm panels, alarm verification, escalation)
Two-way Radio & Professional Communication Equipment Usage
Basic First Aid / CPR knowledge and ability to perform within certification scope (preferred)
Patrol Techniques & Perimeter Security (route planning, observational checklists)
Familiarity with Post Orders, Standard Operating Procedures, and Chain-of-Custody principles
Basic Computer Skills (MS Office, email, incident management platforms)
Security Audit & Hazard Identification (conducting inspections, identifying vulnerabilities)

Soft Skills

Strong situational awareness and attention to detail to detect subtle security risks early
Excellent verbal communication and customer-service orientation for interacting with public and staff
Conflict de-escalation and non-confrontational problem-solving skills to manage disputes calmly
Integrity, reliability and professional discretion with sensitive information and incidents
Ability to remain calm and decisive under pressure and during emergency situations
Teamwork and collaborative mindset to coordinate effectively with peers and external agencies
Time management and prioritization to balance routine patrols and emergent issues
Cultural sensitivity and respect when interacting with diverse populations on site
Adaptability to evolving post orders, schedules, and unpredictable work environments
Observational memory and recall to accurately reconstruct events in reports and briefings

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High school diploma or GED

Preferred Education:

Some college coursework in criminal justice, public safety, or related fields
Certifications such as CPR/First Aid, OSHA 10, or state security guard certification where required

Relevant Fields of Study:

Criminal Justice / Public Safety
Security Management / Loss Prevention
Facilities Management

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 0–3 years in security, customer service, retail loss prevention, or related protective services.

Preferred: 1–2 years of prior unarmed security or loss prevention experience, familiarity with CCTV and access control systems, and completion of any required state or local security guard registration or licensing.