City of Portsmouth, VA
Security Guard I Job at City of Portsmouth, VA in Portsmouth
City of Portsmouth, VA, Portsmouth, VA, US, 23703
Salary: $38,142.50 - $49,103.78 Annually
Location : Portsmouth, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2024-01107
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/25/2025
Closing Date: 9/8/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under general supervision, this position enforces all state and city ordinances governing public parking, trespass, and security and any other laws/ordinances as granted by the Circuit Court within the jurisdiction of the City of Portsmouth. Reports to Security Guard II.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION
Greets and assists visitors, to include providing basic information on City services and locations, directions, and general assistance; assists employees leaving during hours of darkness; provides security assistance during council meetings and confrontational situations and maintains order when necessary, using diplomacy and tact, to include making determinations on removing persons from the premises.
Provides security and general public assistance in assigned buildings and properties by monitoring access controls, alarm, and Closed-Circuit TV systems; opens, locks, and secures buildings and properties at designated times; monitors other facility systems such as exterior and interior safety lighting and parking lot hazards; patrols buildings, parking lots and assigned properties; checks locks and investigates any unusual situations and notifies emergency personnel if necessary.
Develops cooperative working relationships with representatives of other local public safety departments; provides and coordinates aide to law enforcement agencies in accordance with departmental policy; prepares and reviews a variety of logs, correspondence, incident reports, procedures, and other written materials.
Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs. Work periods will include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; and will include inclement weather.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has a general knowledge of modern law enforcement practices and procedures, as well as having knowledge of local, State, and federal laws relative to civil and criminal processes and procedures. Has general knowledge of the locations of streets, roads, highways, and the geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the city. Is skilled in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment. Is able to exercise sound judgement in emergency and routine situations and to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action. Is able to apply interpretation of laws to specific situations. Is able to prepare clear and concise reports. The employee must maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all co-workers and the general public.
Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards, and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human, and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meeting job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisor for mutual and city benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers, and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, police officers, professionals, and the general public.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Thus, the employee avoids duplication of effort, while estimating the expected time of completion of the elements of work and establishing a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.
Education, Experience & Special Requirements
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Requires a high school diploma or the equivalent and preferably 6 months - 1 year of experience as a certified Security Officer (Department of Criminal Justice Services or other state equivalent) or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Selected applicants must be available to work all assigned shifts. This will include day shift or night shift.
A comprehensive background check to include a local, state, and federal criminal history check, sex offender registry check and a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
This position requires post-offer pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.
Must not be barred from the possession/use of firearms by the laws of the United States of America and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia.
For continued employment, must obtain the Special Conservator of the Peace designation, within 90 days of hire, and maintain the designation. After receipt of designation, employee will be issued a department firearm.
Must successfully complete the required Police Department Defensive Tactics training to include, verbal techniques, recognition of pre-assault indicators and proper use of force techniques, usage of the expandable baton, Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper) spray, handcuffs, and security scenario assessment exercises.
Must successfully complete the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System Certifications within one year of employment.
Physical Demands
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, a variety of firearms and defense devises, a two-way radio, computer, calculator, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical requirements of the job are those rated for Light Work. Light Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking, standing, running or physical confrontations.
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, records and memorandums. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, clarity, voice control, and confidence.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid and coherent conclusions. Requires the ability to access critical situations and establish methods to resolve such situations in absence of direct supervision.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal and medical terminology, and emergency response codes.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages.
Form/Spatial Aptitude:Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using weapons. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, weapons, etc. Must have high levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination:Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations.
Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via two-way radio.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS
The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit
01
Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?
02
Please select the highest level of education completed.
03
Do you have 6 months - 1 year of experience as a certified Security Officer (Department of Criminal Justice Services ?
04
Do you understand this position must be available to work all assigned shifts. This will include day shift or night shift.
05
Are you barred from the possession/use of firearms by the laws of the United States of America and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia?
06
Are you able to obtain and maintain the Special Conservator of the Peace designation within 90 days of hire?
Required Question
Location : Portsmouth, VA
Job Type: Full-Time Regular
Job Number: FY2024-01107
Department: Police
Opening Date: 08/25/2025
Closing Date: 9/8/2025 11:59 PM Eastern
General Statement of the Job & Essential Functions
GENERAL STATEMENT OF JOB
Under general supervision, this position enforces all state and city ordinances governing public parking, trespass, and security and any other laws/ordinances as granted by the Circuit Court within the jurisdiction of the City of Portsmouth. Reports to Security Guard II.
ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTION
Greets and assists visitors, to include providing basic information on City services and locations, directions, and general assistance; assists employees leaving during hours of darkness; provides security assistance during council meetings and confrontational situations and maintains order when necessary, using diplomacy and tact, to include making determinations on removing persons from the premises.
Provides security and general public assistance in assigned buildings and properties by monitoring access controls, alarm, and Closed-Circuit TV systems; opens, locks, and secures buildings and properties at designated times; monitors other facility systems such as exterior and interior safety lighting and parking lot hazards; patrols buildings, parking lots and assigned properties; checks locks and investigates any unusual situations and notifies emergency personnel if necessary.
Develops cooperative working relationships with representatives of other local public safety departments; provides and coordinates aide to law enforcement agencies in accordance with departmental policy; prepares and reviews a variety of logs, correspondence, incident reports, procedures, and other written materials.
Performs other duties as assigned. Individual assignments will be determined by supervisor based on current workload and department needs. Work periods will include days, evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays; and will include inclement weather.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
PERFORMANCE INDICATORS
Knowledge of Job: Has a general knowledge of modern law enforcement practices and procedures, as well as having knowledge of local, State, and federal laws relative to civil and criminal processes and procedures. Has general knowledge of the locations of streets, roads, highways, and the geographic and socioeconomic characteristics of the city. Is skilled in the use of firearms and other law enforcement equipment. Is able to exercise sound judgement in emergency and routine situations and to adopt quick, effective, and reasonable courses of action. Is able to apply interpretation of laws to specific situations. Is able to prepare clear and concise reports. The employee must maintain effective working relationships as necessitated by work assignments.
Quality of Work: Maintains high standards of accuracy in exercising duties and responsibilities. Exercises immediate remedial action to correct any quality deficiencies that occur in areas of responsibility. Maintains high quality communication and interacts with all co-workers and the general public.
Quantity of Work: Maintains effective and efficient output of all duties and responsibilities as described under "Essential Job Functions."
Dependability: Assumes responsibility for doing assigned work and for meeting deadlines. Completes assigned work on or before deadlines in accordance with directives, city policy, standards, and prescribed procedures. Accepts accountability for meeting assigned responsibilities in the technical, human, and conceptual areas.
Attendance: Attends work regularly and adheres to city policies and procedures regarding absences and tardiness. Provides adequate notice to higher management with respect to vacation time and time-off requests.
Initiative and Enthusiasm: Maintains an enthusiastic, self-reliant, and self-starting approach to meeting job responsibilities and accountabilities. Strives to anticipate work to be done and initiates proper and acceptable direction for the completion of work with a minimum of supervision and instruction.
Judgment: Exercises analytical judgment in areas of responsibility. Identifies problems or situations as they occur and specifies decision objectives. Identifies or assists in identifying alternative solutions to problems or situations. Implements decisions in accordance with prescribed and effective policies and procedures and with a minimum of errors. Seeks expert or experienced advice and researches problems, situations and alternatives before exercising judgment.
Cooperation: Accepts supervisory instruction and direction and strives to meet the goals and objectives of same. Questions such instruction and direction when clarification of results or consequences are justified i.e., poor communications, variance with city policy or procedures, etc.
Relationships with Others: Shares knowledge with supervisor for mutual and city benefit. Contributes to maintaining high morale among all city employees. Develops and maintains cooperative and courteous relationships with department employees, staffers, and managers in other departments, to project a good city image. Tactfully and effectively handles requests, suggestions and complaints from other departments and persons in order to maintain good will within the city. Emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive image within the city. Interacts effectively with fellow employees, supervisor, police officers, professionals, and the general public.
Coordination of Work: Plans and organizes daily work routine. Establishes priorities for the completion of work in accordance with sound time-management methodology. Thus, the employee avoids duplication of effort, while estimating the expected time of completion of the elements of work and establishing a personal schedule accordingly. Attends meetings, planning sessions and discussions on time. Implements work activity in accordance with priorities and estimated schedules. Maintains a calendar for meetings and deadlines.
Safety and Housekeeping: Adheres to all safety and housekeeping standards established by the city and various regulatory agencies. Sees that the standards are not violated. Maintains a clean and orderly workplace.
Education, Experience & Special Requirements
EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE
Requires a high school diploma or the equivalent and preferably 6 months - 1 year of experience as a certified Security Officer (Department of Criminal Justice Services or other state equivalent) or related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS
Selected applicants must be available to work all assigned shifts. This will include day shift or night shift.
A comprehensive background check to include a local, state, and federal criminal history check, sex offender registry check and a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
This position requires post-offer pre-employment medical evaluation and substance abuse testing and is subject to random alcohol and controlled substance testing.
Must not be barred from the possession/use of firearms by the laws of the United States of America and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia.
For continued employment, must obtain the Special Conservator of the Peace designation, within 90 days of hire, and maintain the designation. After receipt of designation, employee will be issued a department firearm.
Must successfully complete the required Police Department Defensive Tactics training to include, verbal techniques, recognition of pre-assault indicators and proper use of force techniques, usage of the expandable baton, Oleoresin Capsicum (pepper) spray, handcuffs, and security scenario assessment exercises.
Must successfully complete the required National Incident Management System (NIMS) Incident Command System Certifications within one year of employment.
Physical Demands
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS OR STANDARDS REQUIRED TO PERFORM ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS
Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of machinery and equipment including a motor vehicle, a variety of firearms and defense devises, a two-way radio, computer, calculator, copier, etc. Must be able to exert up to 150 pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull or otherwise move objects. Physical requirements of the job are those rated for Light Work. Light Work involves sitting most of the time, but may involve walking, standing, running or physical confrontations.
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable, functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people or things.
Interpersonal Communications: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information.
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of reports, records and memorandums. Requires the ability to prepare reports, correspondence, forms, etc., using prescribed formats and conforming to all rules of punctuation, grammar, diction, and style. Requires the ability to speak before groups of people with poise, clarity, voice control, and confidence.
Intelligence: Requires the ability to apply principles of logical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid and coherent conclusions. Requires the ability to access critical situations and establish methods to resolve such situations in absence of direct supervision.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information, to explain procedures, to follow oral and written instructions. Must be able to communicate effectively and efficiently in a variety of technical or professional languages including legal and medical terminology, and emergency response codes.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas. Must be able to add, subtract, multiply and divide. Must be able to utilize decimals and percentages.
Form/Spatial Aptitude:Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes rapidly and accurately in using weapons. Must be able to operate a motor vehicle.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, weapons, etc. Must have high levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination:Requires the ability to differentiate between colors and shades of color.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond giving and receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under stress when confronted with emergency situations.
Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear: (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear). Must be able to communicate via two-way radio.
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) REQUIREMENTS
The City of Portsmouth is an Equal Opportunity Employer. ADA requires the City to provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Prospective and current employees are invited to discuss accommodations.
This is a class description and not an individual position description. A class specification defines the general character and scope of duties and responsibilities of all positions in a job classification but is not intended to describe and does not necessarily list the essential job functions for a given position in a classification.
The city of Portsmouth offers a complete and comprehensive benefit package to full-time employees including: medical, dental, vision, legal, Flexible Spending Accounts, basic and optional life insurance, short-term disability insurance, Virginia Retirement System (includes a mandatory 5% employee contribution), holidays, vacation, sick leave, deferred compensation plan, and Chartway Credit Union. To learn more details, visit
01
Do you have a valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record?
- Yes
- No
02
Please select the highest level of education completed.
- Less than High School
- High School Diploma or GED
- Some College
- Associates/Vocational/Technical
- Bachelor's Degree or Higher
03
Do you have 6 months - 1 year of experience as a certified Security Officer (Department of Criminal Justice Services ?
- Yes
- No
04
Do you understand this position must be available to work all assigned shifts. This will include day shift or night shift.
- Yes
- No
05
Are you barred from the possession/use of firearms by the laws of the United States of America and/or the Commonwealth of Virginia?
- Yes
- No
06
Are you able to obtain and maintain the Special Conservator of the Peace designation within 90 days of hire?
- Yes
- No
Required Question