Free security guard job description template
Fill in the [brackets] and cut anything that doesn’t fit your job. Unlock one-tap copy and PDF download free with your email.
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Security Guard job description template · Fill in the [brackets]
Security Guard
About the job
[Business name] is hiring a Security Guard who patrols and monitors a property, controls access and reports incidents, following the site's rules. [One or two sentences about your business and why someone would want to work there.]
What you’ll do
- Patrol property
- Enforce rules and regulations of an employer's property
- Monitor alarms and video-surveillance systems
- Respond to emergencies
- Deter criminal activity
- Control building access by employees and visitors
- Write reports on what they observed while on duty
What you need
- High school diploma or equivalent
- State security guard license [required in most states]
- Clean background check
- Reliable transportation and willingness to work [nights, weekends or holidays]
Nice to have
- Prior security, military or law enforcement experience
- CPR and first aid certification
How to apply
[Apply link, email or phone], by [date].
[Business name] is an equal opportunity employer.
✓ Unlocked. Use the buttons above the template to copy it or save it as a PDF.
Example: the template filled in for a small business
Hypothetical example for Ironwood Security, a small contract guard company.
Ironwood Security is hiring a Security Guard for a local warehouse site (nights, 10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). You'll patrol, check IDs at the gate, monitor cameras and write a shift report. A state guard license is required; we train you on the site's post orders.
Notice what makes it work: real hours, the actual tools, who they report to, and one honest reason to want the job. That’s the difference between a blank template and a job description that gets the right applicants.
What a security guard does
A security guard patrols and monitors a property, controls access and reports incidents, following the site's rules. Typical duties include:
- Patrol property
- Enforce rules and regulations of an employer's property
- Monitor alarms and video-surveillance systems
- Respond to emergencies
- Deter criminal activity
- Control building access by employees and visitors
Duties adapted from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Requirements, training and licenses
The Bureau of Labor Statistics says most states require security guards to be licensed by the state in which they work. Many states also recommend pre-assignment and annual training, so check your state's licensing agency.
Training: Most guards learn the job in a few weeks.
How much does a security guard make?
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook. A median means half earned more and half earned less. Pay in your area may be higher or lower; check postings for similar jobs near you. A growing number of states and cities require a pay range in job postings, so check your local rules before you post.
Before you set the rate, run the free hiring cost calculator. It adds payroll taxes and other costs and shows how much work the hire needs to bring in to pay for itself.
Free template or written for you?
| Free template | Job Description $30 | Hiring Kit $299 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Written for | Any business | Your business | Your business |
| Duties and schedule | Typical, with blanks | Yours, filled in | Yours, filled in |
| Pay | National figure | Set for your local market | Set for your local market |
| State rules | “Check your state” | Checked for your state | Checked for your state |
| Ready to post | No, you edit it | Yes | Yes, plus the job posting |
| Performance review form | — | Included free | Included |
| Interview guide and 30-60-90 day plan | — | — | Included |
| Use the template | Have us write it | Get the Hiring Kit |
Free template
- Typical duties with blanks to fill in
- National pay figure
- You edit it before posting
Job Description · $30
- Written for your business: your duties, schedule and pay
- Checked for your state’s rules
- Ready to post
- Free matching performance review form
Hiring Kit · $299
- Everything in the $30 job description
- The job posting
- Interview guide
- 30-60-90 day plan for the new hire
Fixed prices. See what’s included in Job Description Writing and the Hiring Kit.
Common questions
Do my guards need a state license?
Most states require it, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and the rules for armed versus unarmed work differ by state. Confirm with your state's licensing agency, and check whether your business needs a license to employ them.
Can I use this template for free?
Yes. Copy it, edit it and post it. It's a starting point written for any business, so fill in the brackets and adjust the duties to your actual job. If you'd rather have it written for your business, ready to post, our Job Description service is $30.
Is this legal advice?
No. This page is general information. Requirements for some roles, especially in healthcare, vary by state. Check your state's rules, and talk to an employment attorney if you're unsure.
Published by Groundwork Business Advisory. Updated October 2026. General information, not legal advice. Pay data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 wage estimates.