Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Urban Security Technician

🎯 Role Definition

The Urban Security Technician is a hands‑on security infrastructure specialist responsible for the installation, configuration, maintenance, and troubleshooting of city‑level physical security systems — including IP CCTV, Video Management Systems (VMS), access control, intrusion alarms, environmental and IoT sensors, and communications networks. This role supports public safety objectives by ensuring reliable surveillance, secure access, timely incident support, and integration with emergency services and municipal operations. The ideal candidate combines technical networking knowledge, field service experience, regulatory awareness, and effective stakeholder communication to keep critical urban security assets operational and resilient.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Field Service Technician, CCTV/AV Installer, or Low-Voltage Technician
Facilities Maintenance Technician with exposure to building systems and security
Network Technician or IT Support Specialist with interest in physical security

Advancement To:

Senior Urban Security Technician / Team Lead
Security Systems Engineer or Security Solutions Architect
Public Safety Systems Manager or Smart City Infrastructure Manager

Lateral Moves:

Access Control Specialist
Network Infrastructure Engineer
Emergency Communications / 911 Systems Technician

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Install, configure, and commission IP-based video surveillance systems (fixed, PTZ, thermal and panoramic cameras), perform network camera alignment and camera profiling, and ensure optimal field-of-view and illumination to meet incident capture and forensic requirements.
Deploy and administer Video Management Systems (VMS) including server sizing and hardening, camera registration, recording schedules, retention policy enforcement, playback verification, and integration of video analytics and metadata for event detection.
Install, program, and maintain electronic access control systems (card readers, biometric readers, controllers, electric locks, and elevator integration) ensuring secure credential issuance workflows, role-based access policies, and audit trail retention for investigations.
Troubleshoot complex field and network issues for CCTV, access control, alarm panels, and sensors; perform root-cause analysis, replace faulty hardware (cameras, encoders, PoE switches, controllers), and validate repairs with end-to-end testing.
Perform preventive and predictive maintenance on city security assets: scheduled inspections, firmware and software updates, camera cleanings, lens realignments, PoE power tests, and battery load testing for UPS and alarm back-up systems.
Design and execute site surveys and risk-based security assessments for new camera and sensor deployments, produce mounting diagrams, cable route plans, power source identification, and recommend camera models and optics based on environmental and operational requirements.
Configure and manage network infrastructure that supports security systems: VLAN segmentation, QoS for video streams, PoE budgeting, IP addressing, subnetting, and secure remote access for monitoring and maintenance.
Integrate security systems with third-party systems such as CAD/RMS used by emergency services, traffic management centers, building management systems (BMS), and SCADA where required for coordinated incident response.
Implement and maintain intrusion detection and alarm systems (wired and wireless) for critical municipal facilities; set alarm zones, ensure signal transmission to central monitoring stations, and participate in alarm adjudication workflows.
Maintain accurate technical documentation: as‑built drawings, wiring diagrams, configuration templates, change logs, firmware versions, and device inventories in the asset management system to support audits and continuity.
Conduct on-site and remote troubleshooting using diagnostic tools (network analyzers, multimeters, PoE testers, fiber testers), collect evidence and logs for incident investigations, and coordinate with law enforcement while preserving chain-of-custody.
Manage video lifecycle and evidence handling: export and redact video for FOIA requests, prepare video packages for investigative units, ensure secure transfer and storage of evidentiary material according to policy.
Install and terminate structured cabling (CAT6/6A/6e), manage fiber optic splicing and testing where applicable, and coordinate with municipal ITS/telecom teams to provision circuits and ensure redundancy.
Test and validate environmental and IoT sensors (air quality monitors, acoustic sensors, gunshot detection, motion detectors), calibrate sensor thresholds, and integrate sensor telemetry with central analytics platforms.
Support emergency response operations by providing live video feeds, facilitating remote camera control, enabling rapid access changes for first responders, and participating in incident after-action reviews to improve system design.
Manage vendor relationships and coordinate field escalations for warranty support, RMA processing, and specialized installations requiring cranes, lifts, or traffic control permits; ensure vendor work follows municipal safety and permitting rules.
Coordinate field activities with traffic operations and public works to safely perform installations on poles, in signal cabinets, and in right-of-way areas; obtain permits, schedule lane closures, and document work orders.
Enforce cybersecurity best practices for physical security systems: apply secure configurations, change default credentials, enable certificate-based authentication, perform vulnerability scanning, and coordinate patching schedules with IT security teams.
Provide tiered technical support to internal stakeholders and the public safety community: triage service tickets, produce root-cause reports, and provide training and documentation for system end-users and first responders.
Monitor system health and performance using NMS and VMS health dashboards, set proactive alerts for camera downtime or recording failures, and manage escalation procedures to minimize system outages and data loss.
Execute system upgrades and migrations (e.g., DVR to NVR, legacy analog to IP) with minimal disruption to operations: plan cutovers, validate data integrity, and coordinate rollbacks as needed.
Ensure compliance with local, state, and federal regulations pertaining to surveillance, privacy, and evidence handling by implementing retention schedules, privacy masking, and access controls as required.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis.
Contribute to the organization's data strategy and roadmap.
Collaborate with business units to translate data needs into engineering requirements.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within the data engineering team.
Assist with procurement specifications, prepare comparative technical evaluations of cameras, access control platforms, and analytics engines to support capital planning and RFP responses.
Participate in community outreach and public-facing demonstrations of camera/ sensor systems to address privacy concerns and explain municipal security priorities.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Proficient with IP video systems: ONVIF, RTSP, H.264/H.265 codecs, NVRs, cloud and hybrid VMS platforms (e.g., Milestone, Genetec, Avigilon, Exacq).
Practical experience with access control platforms (Lenel, Honeywell, Johnson Controls, HID, Gallagher) and credentials management.
Strong networking fundamentals: TCP/IP, subnetting, VLANs, DHCP, DNS, QoS, routing basics, and experience with managed switches (PoE budgeting).
Hands-on cabling and grounding skills: CAT5e/CAT6 termination, cable management, conduit work, and fiber optic termination and testing (OTDR, power meters).
Competent with network and physical security tools: packet captures, Wireshark, PoE testers, multimeters, thermal guns, and camera alignment tools.
Familiarity with alarm systems and intrusion panels (DSC, Honeywell/ADT) including zone programming and alarm monitoring integration.
Knowledge of video analytics and sensors: people counting, object detection, license plate recognition (LPR), gunshot detection systems, and integration of metadata.
Experience with system hardening and cybersecurity practices for IoT and OT devices, including firmware updates, certificate management, and vulnerability remediation.
Ability to produce technical documentation and as-built drawings using CAD, GIS mapping tools, or documented templates.
Working knowledge of cloud platforms and APIs for remote monitoring, telemetry ingestion, and system automation (AWS, Azure, or vendor cloud services).
Experience with evidence handling procedures, chain-of-custody documentation, and export/redaction tools for FOIA or law-enforcement requests.
Familiarity with municipal permitting processes, traffic control coordination, and safety protocols for elevated work (lift/crane operations and confined space awareness).

Soft Skills

Clear, professional communication with internal stakeholders, law enforcement, vendors, and the public; able to prepare concise technical reports and user guidance.
Strong troubleshooting mindset and methodical problem-solving with attention to detail and accountability for follow‑through.
Time management and prioritization skills to manage multiple work orders, emergency requests, and preventive maintenance schedules.
Team collaboration and the ability to mentor junior technicians and coordinate cross-departmental projects.
Customer-service orientation with patience and adaptability when supporting non-technical end users and first responders.
Commitment to safety, ethical stewardship of surveillance tools, and respect for privacy and civil liberties.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

High School Diploma or GED with relevant technical certifications and field experience (preferred: CompTIA Network+, CCTV certification, low-voltage certification).

Preferred Education:

Associate's or Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Information Technology, Computer Networking, Criminal Justice (with security concentration), or related technical discipline.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Electrical / Electronic Engineering Technology
Computer Science / Information Technology / Networking
Security Technology / Criminal Justice
Telecommunications / Fiber Optics
Facilities Management / Building Systems

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 2 – 7 years of progressive experience in physical security systems, CCTV installation and maintenance, access control, or network cabling in municipal, enterprise, or critical infrastructure environments.

Preferred:

4+ years supporting city‑scale or enterprise security deployments, experience coordinating with public safety agencies, and demonstrated ability to manage complex integrations and large device fleets.
Certifications such as CompTIA Network+, BICSI Installer, NICET, CCTV/VMS vendor certifications (Milestone, Genetec, Avigilon), or manufacturer training for access control and alarm systems.