About This Career

Security officers plan, administer, and supervise law enforcement and physical security efforts. They establish guidance on and coordinate law enforcement and physical security policy, procedures and practices; anti-terrorism and drug enforcement; customs inspections and crime prevention. Security officers coordinate security exercises and inspections to ensure consistency and program awareness. They are responsible for organizing, staffing, overseeing, and training military security forces.

This career is part of the Government and Public Administration cluster National Security pathway.

A person in this career:

• Coordinates security activities to ensure consistency in doctrine and tactics
• Maintains liaison and coordinates with civilian and military law enforcement agencies
• Directs and administers physical security efforts of a variety of establishments
• Provides guidance and direction to subordinates on law enforcement and physical security policy, procedures, and practices
• Prepares and reviews incident reports and supply management issues
• Supervises operations for traffic control, personnel access, and vehicle registration
• Manages the organization, training, and operation of the Auxiliary Security Forces
• Conducts operational exercises with counterintelligence, investigative, and law enforcement agencies
• Apprehends violators or suspects based on probable cause
• Engages in crime prevention efforts and physical security surveys

Working Conditions and Physical Demands

People who do this job report that:

• You would sit most of the time. There's some walking and standing. You may have to lift and carry things like books, papers or tools weighing 10 lbs. or less.
• Work in this occupation requires being inside most of the time
• Work in this occupation requires being outside most of the time

Working in this career involves (physical activities):

• Moving the arms, legs and torso together when the whole body is in motion
• Judging how far away an object is, or which of several objects is closer or farther away
• Seeing objects or movement to one's side when looking forward
• Speaking clearly enough to be able to be understood by others
• Identifying and understanding the speech of another person

Work Hours and Travel

• Irregular hours
• Overnight travel