Security Officer

Security Officer

City of Compton

$55,173.36 - $64,706.40 Annually

Compton, CA

Full-Time

Job Number: 24-25:27

Department: Community Improvement

Opening Date: 11/27/2024

General Purpose

Under supervision, to patrol city facilities, parks, playgrounds and parking lots around city property to ensure the safety of persons and property therein and to do related work as required.

Supervision Received/Exercised

The Security Officer position reports to the Security Lead Officer or to the Community Improvement Services Director or his/her designee. The position has no supervisory duties.

Shift work (day, night, early morning) may be required on weekends and holidays. Security Officers will be required to carry a side arm following proper qualification procedures.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

The following essential functions are those that are critical, integral, necessary, crucial, primary and fundamental to the job. Incumbents who possess the requisite skill, experience, education, and other job-related requirements of a position are expected to perform the essential functions of the job with or without a reasonable accommodation. The following duties are not intended to serve as a comprehensive list of all duties performed by all employees in this classification, only a representative summary of the primary duties and responsibilities. Incumbent(s) may not be required to perform all duties listed and may be required to perform additional, position-specific duties.

• Patrols an assigned area on foot and/or in vehicle.
• Serves at a fixed post in or at the entrance to a city facility.
• Checks security and safety of buildings, their contents, supplies and equipment.
• Guards against fire, theft, vandalism and other related dangers.
• Reports and takes action on problems caused by unruly persons, criminal activities, violations of city codes, rules and regulations, California State Laws, accidents, injuries, the need for building and equipment repairs and other hazardous conditions.
• Cites persons for parking violations.
• Acts as Sergeant of Arms at City Council meetings, handles mail between city departments.
• Questions, detains and may perform arrests of law violators.
• Restrains violent persons.
• Prevents trespassing and loitering.
• Escorts violators off city property, may carry loaded side arm.
• May furnish the public with rules and regulations governing city facilities.
• Assist law enforcement officers as directed.
• Prepares reports and maintains records of activities.
• Furnishes the public with information and directions as needed.
• Testifies in court and performs other related duties as required.
• Security personnel will perform the duty of dispatchers for the field staff.
• Perform interior and exterior security sweeps of City facilities and address issues they encounter.
• Security personnel will use all City issued safety equipment. Any training for issued equipment will be provided by the City.

All security personnel will participate in quarterly firearms qualification sessions.

Minimum Qualifications

Education: Graduation from high school or G.E.D.

Experience: Two (2) years experience as a Security Officer.

License Requirement: Possession of a valid California driver's license issued by the State Department of Motor Vehicles.

Certification Requirement: Possession of a valid Certificate of Completion for P.O.S.T. certified courses in Powers of Arrest and Firearms Training (P.C. 832(a)) at the time of application OR a valid and current certificate of completion of approved classes by the Bureau of Security and investigative Services (BSIS) with comparative curriculum.

Required Knowledge of:

• Security methods and procedures including basic police operations as related to security laws of arrest.
• Acceptable security work.
• Legal rights of citizens.
• Basic methods and techniques for effective public contacts.
• The geography of the local area.

Ability to:

• Perform the full range of Security Officer duties.
• Properly use and care for firearms.
• Accurately observe incidents, and persons.
• Analyze situations quickly.
• Understand and follow oral and written directions.
• Write clear and comprehensive reports.
• Deal courteously and effectively with the public and all individuals or groups contacted in the course of work.

Physical Demands/Work Environment: Applicants must meet health status and physical requirements for this classification and work category as defined in the City's Medical Standards for Applicants and Employees -- including the requirements for visual acuity no worse than 20/40 in each eye, separately, without correction, or 20/30 in each eye, separately, with correction.

Updated February 2026: Please note that all candidates will need to pass the LA County Sherrif department's background check process, in addition to the City of Compton's standard background and medical screening process, in order to be eligible for this position. All offer letters are contingent on successful completion and clearance of all background and medical screening appointments.

Examination: The purpose of this examination is to establish an eligible list from which vacant position(s) may be filled. Only the most qualified candidates will be invited to participate in the examination and interview process. Phase one (1) is a written examination (weighted 50%) which will measure all or portions of the above knowledge, and skills. Phase two (2) is an oral examination (weighted 50%) that will be administered by an appraisal panel to evaluate professional qualifications, background and suitability. A passing score for each phase is 70%. Each candidate will be notified via e-mail of their status at each step of the recruitment. The City of Compton reserves the right to utilize alternative testing methods, if deemed necessary. Failure in one phase of the examination shall be grounds for declaring the applicant as failing in the entire examination, and as disqualified for subsequent parts of an examination.

General Information to Examination Applicants: The City of Compton does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, or disability in employment or provisions of services. Applicants with disabilities who require special testing arrangements must give advanced notice to the Human Resources Department prior to the final filing date.

Eligible Lists: Recruitment may be conducted on a (a) promotional basis, (b) open-competitive basis, or (c) promotional and open-competitive basis simultaneously. All candidates who attain an overall score of at least 70.00 (open-competitive) and at least 75.00 (promotional) will be placed in rank order on the relevant eligible list(s).

Please Note: All permanent City employees that attain an overall score of at least 75.00 will be placed on both the promotional eligible list and the open-competitive eligible list. All City employees that attain a score of 70.00 on EACH PHASE of the examination but an overall score of less than 75.00 will be placed on the open-competitive eligible list only. Each eligible list shall remain in effect one (1) year from the date of its establishment unless it is extended, abolished or exhausted. Whenever possible, three (3) names are certified to fill anyone (1) vacant position. No candidate may be certified more than three (3) times for any one classified position. When certifying eligible lists to appointing powers, the promotional eligible list takes precedence over the open-competitive eligible list. A department manager's recommendation for employment is subject to the City Manager's approval.

Examination Appeal Procedure: A candidate may, within five (5) days after taking the written examination, file in writing with the City Manager an appeal against any part of the test, citing the item or items against which the appeal is directed, and the reason(s) for such appeal. The Personnel Board will consider appeals from the decisions and ratings of qualifications appraisals (interview) boards if such appeals meet the conditions described in the Personnel Rules and Regulations (Section 6.8).

Examination Records: All examination papers, including the employment application, resume, and other attachments submitted by candidates are the property of the Personnel Board and are confidential records which may be open to inspection only for