What does a Special Officer do?
A special officer, also known as a security guard, is responsible for handling security issues in their office. They may operate an x-ray or mental detector equipment. They also monitor premises to prevent theft, violence, and malfunctions.
Special officer responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real special officer resumes:
- Manage litigation and bankruptcy matters.
- Write incident reports according to daily activities and monitor CCTV and switchboard for control access.
- Conduct building tours, monitor CCTV and alarm systems and controlling building access.
- Patrol outside of emergency center for protesters and other unauthorize personnel.
- Monitor and react to emergencies, conduct inspections and perform facility perimeter patrol inspections.
- Maintain a standard of punctuality and dependability of attendance and retain myself cleanliness, tidiness, neatness and appropriately attire.
- Operate magnetometers and hand wand to prevent any unauthorize weapons into the facility.
Special officer skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Special Officers are proficient in Real Estate, Patrol, and Credit Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observation skills, Patience, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Special Officers that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Real Estate, 13%
Formulated and implemented workout/liquidation strategies for portfolio of troubled real estate and commercial loans.
- Patrol, 12%
Monitor and react to emergencies, conducted inspections and perform facility perimeter patrol inspections.
- Credit Analysis, 8%
Performed credit analysis based upon sound, quality underwriting, credit analysis, and regional market analysis.
- Criminal Justice, 6%
Certified Department of Criminal Justice Services Private Security Officer Instructor.
- Public Safety, 5%
Assisted in the preservation of public safety during the tourist season.
- Financial Statements, 5%
Review Financial Statements, Balance Sheets, Cash Flow Statements, Appraisals and Tax Returns.
Common skills that a special officer uses to do their job include "real estate," "patrol," and "credit analysis." You can find details on the most important special officer responsibilities below.
Observation skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a special officer to have is observation skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "security guards and surveillance officers must be alert and aware of their surroundings, and be able to quickly recognize anything out of the ordinary." Special officers often use observation skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "use cctv system to perform visual observations of interior / exterior of the facility and surrounding areas. "
Communication skills. special officers are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to special officer responsibilities, because "security guards and surveillance officers must communicate effectively with others, even in stressful situations." A special officer resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "handled all communication, servicing, payment plans and all other activities associated with troubled loan portfolio. "
The three companies that hire the most special officers are:
- SS&T Ban7 special officers jobs
- NNorthwell Health4 special officers jobs
- XXator
4 special officers jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable special officer resume templates
Build a professional special officer resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your special officer resume.
Compare different special officers
Special officer vs. Asset protection associate
An asset protection associate is responsible for monitoring the operational activities to ensure the safety and security of the assets and enforcing strict regulations to avoid financial loss through theft instances and fraud activities. Asset protection associates' duties include reiterating safety regulations for everyone's compliance, observing and reporting suspicious movements inside the premises, utilizing surveillance cameras and security equipment to trace incidents, and performing necessary inspections for all employees as advised. An asset protection associate must be knowledgeable with the security systems and implement strategies that would contribute to the company's development.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between special officers and asset protection associate. For instance, special officer responsibilities require skills such as "real estate," "credit analysis," "public safety," and "financial statements." Whereas a asset protection associate is skilled in "customer service," "store management," "compliance issues," and "internal investigations." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Asset protection associates really shine in the retail industry with an average salary of $34,866. Comparatively, special officers tend to make the most money in the government industry with an average salary of $44,994.On average, asset protection associates reach similar levels of education than special officers. Asset protection associates are 3.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Special officer vs. Bouncer
A security supervisor is in charge of coordinating and overseeing the security staff in a building or within a designated area. Their responsibilities focus on devising strategies, appointing personnel, and implementing protocols that would ensure the safety of an establishment, goods, and the people inside. Furthermore, they must make sure that all security devices and equipment are working correctly, create and manage schedules, monitor and evaluate every security personnel's performance, and maintain a safe environment for everyone. Should there be any incidents, it is crucial to coordinate with the police right away.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that special officer responsibilities requires skills like "real estate," "patrol," "credit analysis," and "criminal justice." But a bouncer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "front door," "ids," "bartenders," and "safety procedures."
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Bouncers tend to reach lower levels of education than special officers. In fact, they're 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special officer vs. Security supervisor
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, special officers are more likely to have skills like "real estate," "credit analysis," "criminal justice," and "public safety." But a security supervisor is more likely to have skills like "customer service," "security procedures," "security operations," and "payroll."
Security supervisors make a very good living in the hospitality industry with an average annual salary of $41,279. On the other hand, special officers are paid the highest salary in the government industry, with average annual pay of $44,994.security supervisors typically earn similar educational levels compared to special officers. Specifically, they're 2.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Special officer vs. Army national guard
Types of special officer
Updated January 8, 2025
