0085 - Security Guard

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Federal Occupation Description

Federal Occupation Description

This series includes positions the primary duties of which are the performance or supervision of protective services work in guarding Federally owned or leased buildings and property; protecting Government equipment and material; and controlling access to Federal installations by employees, visitors, residents, and patients. The purpose of security guard work is to protect and prevent loss of materials or processes which are important for national defense, for public health or safety, or as national treasures.

For job opportunities in this series, go to the Office of Personnel Management USAJOBS website.

Other Federal Occupations

It is not uncommon for individuals in one federal occupational series to perform duties related to another series within the same federal occupational group. To find out about the certifications for another series in the MISCELLANEOUS OCCUPATIONS GROUP (NOT ELSEWHERE CLASSIFIED), click on that series below. Note that credentials have not yet been identified for all series – links are provided only to those series for which the identification of credentials has been completed. Additional series will be added over time.

The following certifications have been identified as most relevant to the broad duties of this federal occupational series. Please note that these credentials may not reflect all of the unique job functions that you perform within your organization. Also these credentials may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about any credential, click on the credential title below.

Compare Credential Agency Related As GI Bill® Accreditation ID
Certified Safety Professional (CSP) In DemandIs In Demand Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP) someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Explosive Detection (EDC) Is Not In Demand Eastern States Working Dog Association someSome    
Narcotic Detection (NDC) Is Not In Demand Eastern States Working Dog Association someSome    
Trailing Dog (TDC) Is Not In Demand Eastern States Working Dog Association someSome    
Certified Lodging Security Officer (CLSO) Is Not In Demand American Hotel and Lodging Educational Institute (AHLA) someSome    
Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) Is Not In Demand ASIS International someSome GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Physical Security Professional (PSP) Is Not In Demand ASIS International mostMost GI BillGI Bill AccreditationAccreditation
Industrial Security Professional (ISP) Is Not In Demand NCMS Society of Industrial Security Professionals someSome   AccreditationAccreditation
Certified Emergency Disaster Professional (CEDP) Is Not In Demand International Board for Certification of Safety Managers (IBFCSM) someSome    
Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) Is Not In Demand National Center for Spectator Sports Safety and Security (NCS4) mostMost   AccreditationAccreditation

Department of Defense (DoD) Mandated Certifications

Security Professional Education Development (SPeD) Program

The SPeD Certification Program is part of the Department of Defense's (DoD) initiative to professionalize the security workforce. This initiative is intended to ensure that there is a common set of competencies among security practitioners that promotes interoperability, facilitates professional development and training, and develops a workforce of certified security professionals.

For additional information related to the SPeD Certification Program please visit the website.


State Licenses

Some states have specific licensing requirements for the following related civilian occupations. These state licenses may require additional education, training or experience. Click on the occupation below to get more information on state requirements from the U.S. Department of Labor.

Related Civilian Private Sector Occupations

The following civilian private sector occupations are similar to the duties performed by 0085 - Security Guard. These occupations may require additional education, training or experience. For more information about these occupations, click on the civilian occupation below.

Civilian Job Duties Matched Bright Outlook Registered Apprenticeship Local Salary Info
Animal Control Workers someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Animal Trainers someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Bailiffs someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Correctional Officers and Jailers someSome   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Criminal Investigators and Special Agents someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Crossing Guards someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Intelligence Analysts someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Interviewers, Except Eligibility and Loan someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Loss Prevention Managers someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Parking Enforcement Workers someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Police Patrol Officers mostMost   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Police, Fire, and Ambulance Dispatchers mostMost   Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Private Detectives and Investigators someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Retail Loss Prevention Specialists someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Security Guards mostMost Bright OutlookBright Outlook  Registered ApprenticeshipApprenticeship  find local salaryfind local salary
Security Management Specialists someSome Bright OutlookBright Outlook    find local salaryfind local salary
Security Managers someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
Sheriffs and Deputy Sheriffs mostMost     find local salaryfind local salary
Transit and Railroad Police someSome     find local salaryfind local salary
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This is an official U.S. Navy websiteUpdated: October 16, 2019
Click here to go to Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) web page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC) provides a recognized and reliable indication of a security practitioner's understanding of foundational concepts, principles, and practices needed to successfully perform functions, implement programs, and pursue missions to protect DoD assets. The SFPC is a prerequisite for the Security Asset Protection Professional Certification (SAPPC).

Click here to go to Security Asset Protection Professional Certification (SAPPC) web page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Security Asset Protection Professional Certification (SAPPC) provides a recognized and reliable indication of a security practitioner's ability to apply foundational concepts, principles, and practices needed to successfully perform functions, implement programs, and pursue missions to protect DoD assets. The SAPPC is ideal for personnel who will be or are already performing security functions as an additional and/or embedded duty on behalf of (and as specified by) a DoD Component. The certification is also ideal for personnel who are working toward or already occupy full-time security positions for which attainment of this certification has been deemed a requirement or a professional development milestone. The SAPPC is the second of four certifications within the SPeD Certification Program. To obtain the SAPPC, candidates must already be a recipient of the Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC).

Click here to go to Industrial Security Oversight Certification (ISOC) web page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Industrial Security Oversight Certification (ISOC) assessment measures individuals understanding of industrial security skills in implementing the National Industrial Security Program (NISP), as well as ability to perform other industrial security functions, including facility security and conducting facility surveys and inspections.

Click here to go to Physical Security Certification (PSC) web page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Physical Security Certification (PSC) is ideal for DoD, Industry, and federal members performing physical security functions.

Click here to go to Special Program Security Certification (SPSC) web page.

Renewal Period: 2 years

The Special Program Security Certification (SPSC) is ideal for personnel who will be or are already performing Security Officer functions for and/or on behalf of the Department of Defense Special Access Programs. Candidates must be conferred the Security Fundamentals Professional Certification (SFPC).

Click here to go to Certified Safety Professional (CSP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 5 years

The Board of Certified Safety Professionals (BCSP), Certified Safety Professional (CSP) is an intermediate-level credential for professionals who support workplace safety practices. Candidates are required to have professional experience that includes safety responsibilities. CSPs conduct worksite assessments, determine risk, measure hazards and controls, evaluate risk and hazard control measures, investigate incidents, maintain incident and loss records, and prepare emergency response plans. Candidates are required to hold a bachelor's degree in any field. CSP candidates must meet experiential requirements that relate to the field of workplace safety. Candidates must pass a written exam.

Click here to go to Explosive Detection (EDC) COOL Snapshot page.

Explosive Detection (EDC). This is a mid-level certification. Canine teams must work together and complete the ED test with a perfect score to earn their certification. Areas; include and are not limited to; K-9 teams reliability and proficiency in detecting and indicating the presence of explosives. All teams will be tested on the following odors: Black or Smokeless gunpowder, Dynamite (Both Military and Commercial Varieties), TNT, Primer Cord, Water -Gel type explosives and C-4 or Flex-X.

Click here to go to Narcotic Detection (NDC) COOL Snapshot page.

The Eastern States Working Dog Association, Narcotic Detection (NDC) certification is an intermediate-level credential for dog handlers who work with trained canines to examine, detect, and respond to the odor of concealed narcotics.

Click here to go to Trailing Dog (TDC) COOL Snapshot page.

The Eastern States Working Dog Association, Trailing Dog credential is a mid-level certification designed to test handlers’ and canines’ skill in scent trailing applicable law enforcement or search and rescue scenarios.

Click here to go to Certified Lodging Security Officer (CLSO) COOL Snapshot page.

Credential description coming soon.

Click here to go to Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Professional Certified Investigator (PCI) certification is designed for security professionals whose primary responsibilities are to conduct investigations and who have demonstrated in-depth operational knowledge and competence in this area. Candidates wishing to take the PCI examination must first satisfy the following requirements: Complete five years of investigations experience, with at least two (2) years in case management; and earn a high school diploma or GED equivalent. The applicant must not have been convicted of any criminal offense that would reflect negatively on the security profession, ASIS, and the PCI program. Successful Completion of an examination is required for all applicants who meet the experience and/or education and responsible charge criteria. Candidates must pass the examination to achieve the PCI designation.

Click here to go to Physical Security Professional (PSP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Physical Security Professional (PSP) certification is designed for individuals whose primary responsibilities are to conduct physical security surveys, design integrated security systems that include equipment, procedures, and people; or install, operate or maintain those systems and who have demonstrated in-depth operational knowledge and competence in this area. Candidates wishing to take the PSP examination must first satisfy the following requirements: Complete six (6) years of experience in the physical security field; Earn a High school diploma or GED equivalent; and must not have been convicted of any criminal offense that would reflect negatively on the security profession, ASIS, or the certification program. Alternatively, candidates may have a Bachelor's degree or higher and four years of progressive physical security experience. An examination is required for all applicants who meet the experience and/or education and responsible charge criteria. Candidates must pass the examination to achieve the PSP designation.

Click here to go to Industrial Security Professional (ISP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The Industrial Security Professional (ISP) certification is an intermediate-level credential intended for security professionals who act as Facility Security Officers, or an equivalent, for facilities that protect classified government information and material. Candidates must take and pass a written examination with a focus on the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual (NISPOM) and requirements of related government security programs. Candidates must also have five years of relevant work experience, submit a recommendation from a current supervisor, and adhere to the NCMS code of ethics.

Click here to go to Certified Emergency Disaster Professional (CEDP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 1 year

The International Board for Certification of Safety Managers (IBFCSM), Certified Emergency Disaster Professional (CEDP) certification is for individuals working in any position related to emergency management and disaster response. Candidates can qualify for the CEDP certification on a professional or an associate level. Professional level candidates must have eight (8) years of education and experience combined with at least three (3) years of relevant experience; or the candidate must hold a Bachelor's or Graduate degree in a safety or related discipline and provide documentation for at least two (2) years of relevant experience. Associate level candidates must document four years of education and experience combined with at least one year of relevant experience. Candidates are required to take and pass a written examination.

Click here to go to Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) COOL Snapshot page.

Renewal Period: 3 years

The NCS4 Certified Sport Security Professional (CSSP) credential is a mid-level security certification. CSSPs are individuals at the middle and upper levels of organizations and who are in leadership roles responsible for the planning and overall security operations of sport venues and events have the requisite knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully perform their job. The CSSP certification focuses on advancing the sports safety and security industry by addressing the competency requirements of current security professionals and those related professionals in law enforcement, emergency management, government, public safety, human resources, and operations specialists, among others. Candidates must have a minimum of 8 years of experience working in a comprehensive safety and security management position and a minimum of 50 contact hours directly relating to sports/special event safety and security management. A four-year degree may be substituted for 4 years of experience. Candidates must pass a written exam.

In Demand

This certification is considered in demand

GI Bill®

Reimbursement for exam fees has been approved for payment through the GI Bill. Click for external link to GI Bill licensing and certification information.

Note: GI Bill approval data is updated quarterly. For the latest information, visit the WEAMS Licenses/Certifications Search page. Make sure to select "Both" in the LAC Category Type drop-down before searching.

Click here to go to the GI Bill site.

ANSI

This credential has been accredited by ANSI. Click for external link to the ANSI web site.

ICAC

This credential has been accredited by ICAC. Click for external link to the ICAC web site.

NCCA

This credentialing program has been accredited by NCCA. Click for external link to the NCCA web site.

ABSNC

This credential has been accredited by ABSNC. Click for external link to the ABSNC web site.

IAS

This credential has been accredited by IAS. Click for external link to the IAS web site.

Some

Credential is related to some tasks associated with the duties of the rating (at least one critical task but less than 80%)

Most

Credential is directly related to most of the major duties associated with the rating (at least 80%)

Other

Credential is related to this military occupation, but is more advanced or specialized and therefore will likely require additional education, training, or experience

Most – Tasks in these careers match most duties of the military job or specialty (approximately 80% or greater)
Some – Tasks in these careers match some duties of the military job or specialty (greater than 20% but less than 80%)
Bright Outlook – new job opportunities are very likely in the future for this job
Registered Apprenticeship
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