SECURITY OFFICER ASSISTANT 3314 (REVISED 02-28-25)

SECURITY OFFICER ASSISTANT 3314 (REVISED 02-28-25)

Los Angeles, United States

Company
City of Los Angeles
Location
Los Angeles, CA
Job Type
Full-time
Salary
58,443–72,599 a year
Via
GovernmentJobs.com

Job Description
NOTES:
• For information regarding reciprocity between the City of Los Angeles departments and LADWP, go tohttp://per.lacity.org/Reciprocity_CityDepts_and_DWP.pdf.
• Annual salary is at the start of the pay range. The current salary range is subject to change. You may confirm the starting salary with the hiring department before accepting a job offer.

DUTIES

Security Officer Assistants continue their participation in an expanded training program; under close supervision and in a training capacity, patrol and safeguard City owned buildings, parks, reservoirs, facilities, grounds, and equipment. This work involves answering questions and directing visitors/patrons; assuring that only authorized persons enter buildings, yards, and other restricted areas; preparing reports and keeping records, making preliminary investigations of accidents, thefts, and disturbances; issuing warnings or citations for illegal parking; testifying in court and detaining violators pending the arrival of a peace officer, and related work.

NOTES:

Security Officer Assistant is a transitional class between Security Officer Trainee and Security Officer. Security Officer Assistants are hired in-lieu of Security Officers, and serve a six-month probationary period intended to prepare them to assume more difficult duties, and to develop skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary for regular fulltime employment with the City as Security Officers.

Upon completion, incumbents will be offered Charter Section 1014 special assignments to Security Officer. New appointees who do not successfully complete the probationary period will be terminated from the class.

The Security Officer Assistant class will be utilized for the duration of the Bridge-to-Jobs Program solely as a vehicle to transition Bridge-to-Job participants to permanent full-time regular employment as Security Officers.
• Current employment as a Security Officer Trainee with the City of Los Angeles; and
• One year participation in and successful completion of the Security Officer Trainee program; and
• A letter of recommendation from the personnel office of the employing department, which includes a statement of the department’s willingness to hire the employee as a Security Officer Assistant. The letter must be attached to the application at the time of filing.

PROCESS NOTES
• The positions of Security Officer Assistant in the Los Angeles World Airports (LAWA), Harbor (Port of Los Angeles), Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), and Recreation and Parks Department require a valid Class C California driver’s license issued by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) at the time of appointment. Candidates will not be eligible for appointment to these positions if their DMV record within the last 36 months reflects three or more moving violations and/or at-fault accidents, or a conviction of a major moving violation such as DUI.
• A High School diploma or equivalent is highly desired.
• Candidates may be required to undergo a DRUG and ALCOHOL screening test based on City policy.

Applications WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED ON THE CITY APPLICATION FORM. Applications may be obtained on our website at http://per.ci.la.ca.us/Forms/Application.pdf.

Applications MAY ONLY be submitted to the Human Resources/Personnel Services Section of the City Department providing your letter of recommendation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE

For administrative purposes, filing will close periodically and reopen the following day. This examination may close without prior notice at any time after a sufficient number of applications have been received.

Examination Weight: Program Performance Review . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100%

The examination will be based entirely on a Program Performance Review. Candidates will be rated by one or more first and second-level supervisors who are familiar with their performance in the on-the-job training phase of the Bridge to Jobs Program. In the Program Performance Review, the following competencies may be evaluated:

Reading Comprehension; Self-Management; Conscientiousness; Stress Tolerance; Personal Risk; Interpersonal Skills; Oral Communication; Written Communication; and Job Knowledge,including knowledge of: basic investigative techniques, the chain of command, procedures for making a citizen’s arrest, how to respond to threats, frequently used provisions of City and State laws, ordinances, and regulations, legal requirements for documentation of actions resulting in detention and/or arrest of persons suspected of violations, hazardous conditions, emergency treatments, various security systems, and basic computer software. Factors such as the quality and quantity of work performed may also be considered.

Additional job analysis information can be obtained by going to https://per.lacity.org/jobs/job-analyses.cfm and clicking on Competencies under Security Officer.

NOTES:
• This examination is based on a validation study.
• Based on City policy, before being hired into one of these positions, you may be required to undergo a drug and alcohol screening test.
• As a covered entity under the Fair Employment and Housing Act and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of disability and upon request, will provide reasonable accommodations to ensure equal access to its programs, services, and activities. To request a disability accommodation, please complete the Disability Accommodation Form within 14 calendar days of the submittal of the City application. The Disability Accommodation Form can be obtained at http://per.lacity.org/exams/verify_disability.pdf.
• Applications are accepted subject to review to ensure that minimum qualifications are met. Candidates may be disqualified at any time if it is determined that they do not possess the minimum qualifications stated on this bulletin.
• A final average score of 70% is required to be placed on the eligible list.
• In accordance with Civil Service Rule, Sec. 4.24, review periods may be combined. Candidates in the examination process may file protests as provided in Sec. 4.20, 4.22 and 4.23 as applicable and within the required time frame; however, the Personnel Department may respond to and resolve protests prior to the establishment of the eligible list.

Notice:

If you receive and accept an offer of employment to a regular position with the City of Los Angeles, your employee benefit coverage (including health and dental coverage as well as life insurance) will commence approximately six weeks after your original regular appointment. Not all positions in the City receive benefit coverage; you should inquire regarding the availability of employee benefits prior to accepting a position. All City employees are required to be Disaster Service Workers.

THIS EXAMINATION IS TO BE GIVEN
ONLY ON AN OPEN COMPETITIVE BASIS

The City of Los Angeles does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, creed, color, ancestry, medical condition (cancer), or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers about Security Guard Jobs in United States

Q What is the median hourly wage for security guards in the United States in 2026?
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median hourly wage for security guards is $19.96 as of May 2026. The lowest 10 percent earn $14.00 per hour, while the highest 10 percent earn $28.75 per hour. Annual median pay totals $41,500 for full-time workers.
Q What is the federal minimum wage for security guard jobs in the United States in 2026?
As per the U.S. Department of Labor Wage and Hour Division, the federal minimum wage for security guards under FLSA is $7.25 per hour as of January 1, 2026. Overtime pay is required at 1.5 times the regular rate for all hours worked over 40 in a workweek. 30 states mandate higher rates, such as $16.50 per hour in California.
Q What work visa is required for foreign nationals to work as security guards in the US in 2026?
As per U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, security guard jobs typically qualify under H-2B temporary non-agricultural worker visas with a FY2026 cap of 66,000 visas plus supplemental allocations up to 64,000. Employers must file Form I-129 with a $460 fee and obtain temporary labor certification from DOL. H-1B visas do not apply due to lack of specialty occupation status.
Q What education and experience are required for security guard jobs in the US?
As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, no formal postsecondary education is required, but a high school diploma or GED is preferred by 70 percent of employers. Entry-level positions need no prior experience, though 40 hours of on-the-job training is standard. Applicants must be 18 years old with a clean criminal background.
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