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Close Protection Driver Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

ijetconnect

Executive Protection Medic

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

... close protection and emergency medical support. This role combines advanced medical proficiency ... Valid driver's license and ability to be insured * Ability to legally carry a firearm and obtain ...

ijetconnect

Executive Protection Medic

Palo Alto, CA

... close protection and emergency medical support. This role combines advanced medical proficiency ... Valid driver's license and ability to be insured * Ability to legally carry a firearm and obtain ...

ijetconnect

Executive Protection Medic

Palo Alto, CA

... close protection and emergency medical support. This role combines advanced medical proficiency ... Valid driver's license and ability to be insured * Ability to legally carry a firearm and obtain ...

PSD

Executive Protection Agent

Santa Monica, CA · On-site

$40 - $50/hr

Provide armed and/or unarmed close protection during domestic and international assignments. * Lead ... Serve as primary driver or follow-car driver as assigned. * Operate vehicles safely and comfortably ...

Global Guardian

Executive Protection Agent

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$20.50 - $26.75/hr

Global Guardian protects and delivers employees and families from political, environmental, and bad ... Remain in close coordination with other agents, assistants, and drivers. * Adapt plans to changes ...

Global Guardian

Executive Protection Agent

Palo Alto, CA · On-site

$58 - $60/hr

Global Guardian protects and delivers employees and families from political, environmental, and bad ... Remain in close coordination with other agents, assistants, and drivers. * Adapt plans to changes ...

Global Guardian

Executive Protection Agent

San Jose, CA · On-site

$55 - $65/hr

Provide close protection and other security-related duties for the client during domestic ... A valid Driver's License in the state where the job is located required. * California BSIS Security ...

Global Guardian

Executive Protection Agent

San Jose, CA · On-site

$55 - $65/hr

Provide close protection and other security-related duties for the client during domestic ... A valid Driver's License in the state where the job is located required. * California BSIS Security ...

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Close Protection Driver information

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$12

$23

$45

How much do close protection driver jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for close protection driver in California is $23.59, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.15 and $27.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are common challenges faced by close protection drivers and how are they addressed?

Close Protection Drivers often encounter challenges such as navigating high-traffic areas, adapting to rapidly changing threat levels, and maintaining discretion while ensuring client safety. These challenges are addressed through rigorous route planning, ongoing risk assessment, and constant communication with the close protection team. Drivers participate in regular training to stay proficient in defensive and evasive driving techniques, and they coordinate closely with security personnel to respond swiftly to any potential threats.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a close protection driver?

To thrive as a Close Protection Driver, you need advanced driving skills, security awareness, and often a background in law enforcement or military, with qualifications like an SIA Close Protection license. Familiarity with armored vehicles, GPS navigation systems, and defensive driving techniques is typically required. Excellent situational awareness, discretion, and strong communication skills help you remain calm and effective under pressure. These abilities are crucial to ensuring the safety and swift evacuation of clients in high-risk or potentially hostile environments.

What is the difference between Close Protection Driver vs Security Chauffeur?

AspectClose Protection DriverSecurity Chauffeur
CredentialsDriver's license, security clearance, defensive driving certificationDriver's license, defensive driving certification
Work EnvironmentHigh-security, client protection, often in unpredictable situationsLuxury transportation, corporate or VIP clients, routine routes
Employer & IndustrySecurity firms, private clients, government agenciesLuxury car services, corporate fleets, VIP transport

While both roles involve driving high-profile clients, a Close Protection Driver focuses on security and protection, often in unpredictable environments, whereas a Security Chauffeur primarily provides luxury transportation with an emphasis on comfort and punctuality.

What is a close protection driver?

Close Protection Drivers are specialized security professionals responsible for safely transporting clients, such as VIPs, executives, or celebrities, while minimizing risk and ensuring their security. They are trained in defensive and evasive driving techniques, route planning, and threat assessment to protect clients from potential dangers like attacks, surveillance, or accidents. In addition to expert driving, they often work closely with personal security teams to coordinate logistics and maintain a high level of situational awareness during all movements.
What are popular job titles related to Close Protection Driver jobs in California? For Close Protection Driver jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Close Protection Driver jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Close Protection Driver jobs in California are:
Close Protection Driver jobs near you
Infographic showing various Close Protection Driver job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $49,057 per year, or $23.6 per hour.

Close Protection Officer

Southern California Edison (SCE)

Rosemead, CA • On-site

$61.54 - $92.26/hr

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Join the Clean Energy Revolution
Become a Close Protection Officer at Southern California Edison (SCE) and build a better tomorrow. In this job, you'll ensure the safety and security of high-profile events, individuals within the organization, including executives, board members, and other key personnel. You will utilize intelligence-driven risk assessments, threat monitoring, and strategic security measures to adopt a proactive and adaptive approach to enhance safety. You will play a critical role in safeguarding the organization's leadership and maintaining business continuity through discretion and rapid response.
As a Close Protection Officer, your work will help power our planet, reduce carbon emissions and create cleaner air for everyone. Are you ready to take on the challenge to help us build the future?
Responsibilities
  • Provides physical protection to executives during travel, events, and daily activities, maintaining a low profile while ensuring safety.
  • Drives or coordinates secure transportation, including route planning, vehicle inspections, and contingency planning for emergencies.
  • Monitors surroundings for suspicious activity and employs counter-surveillance techniques to detect and deter potential threats.
  • Conducts thorough risk assessments and pre-visits to venues, hotels, offices, and travel routes to identify vulnerabilities and establish secure environments.
  • Coordinates with local law enforcement and emergency services as needed.
  • Works closely with SCE Corporate Security to align executive protection protocols with broader security strategies and physical infrastructure.
  • Maintains strict confidentiality regarding the executive's personal and professional life, travel plans, and sensitive corporate information.
  • Stays current with defensive tactics, first aid, firearms proficiency, and corporate security protocols through regular training and certifications.
  • A material job duty of all positions within the Company is ensuring the protection of all its physical, financial, and cybersecurity assets, and properly accessing and managing private customer data, proprietary information, confidential medical records, and other types of highly sensitive information and data with the highest standards of conduct and integrity.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Five or more years of experience in a law-enforcement, military, or security-related field.
  • Experience in security and protective services.
  • Possess and maintain a valid California Class C Driver's License.
  • Have a current and active CA BSIS Guard Permit and Exposed Firearm Carry Permit (or ability to obtain both within six months).
  • Possess a valid California Carry Concealed Weapons (CCW) license or LEOSA compliance.
  • Successful completion of post-offer cardiovascular-fitness and behavioral-health evaluations.
  • Ability to perform physical-fitness activities, including:
  • Passing the physical-readiness test.
  • Standing, walking, and running for extended periods.
  • Lifting and carrying an average-sized person.
  • Performing fitness drills for continuous readiness.
  • Maintaining proficiency in self-defense techniques.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in criminal justice, Homeland Security, Security Management, Emergency Management, Law Enforcement Studies, Protective Services/Public Safety, Intelligence Studies, or a closely related field.
  • Active membership or demonstrated involvement in professional protective services or executive protection organizations, such as the Board of Executive Protection Professionals (BEPP), Executive Protection Institute (EPI), Private Security Professionals of America (PSPA), ASIS International, Nine Lives Associates (NLA), International Protective Security Board (IPSB), Corporate Executive Protection Leadership Council (CPLC), or the Association of Threat Assessment Professionals (ATAP).
  • Experience providing close or executive protection to high-profile individuals, corporate executives, dignitaries, or VIPs, including advance planning and protective intelligence.
  • Advanced training or hands-on experience conducting threat assessments, route and venue advances, site surveys, and counter-surveillance operations.
  • Current certifications such as TCCC/TECC, EMT, First Aid/CPR/AED, with proficiency in emergency medical response under high-stress or hostile conditions.
  • Completion of recognized advanced close protection officer training, tactical driving, defensive tactics, or use-of-force training beyond basic state licensing requirements.
  • Proven ability to communicate clearly and professionally with principals, executive staff, law enforcement agencies, and team members while maintaining discretion at all times.
  • Demonstrated ability to rapidly assess evolving environments, make sound decisions under pressure, and adapt protective measures in real time.

Additional Information
  • This position's work mode is on-site. The employee will report to an SCE facility or in the field location. Further details of this work mode will be discussed at the interview stage. The work mode can be changed based on business needs.
  • Visit our Candidate Resource page to get meaningful information related to benefits, perks, resources, testing information, hiring process, and more!
  • Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
  • The primary work location for this position is Rosemead, CA. However, the successful candidate may also be asked to work at various locations in and out of the SCE service territory.
  • Position will require up to 60% traveling and being out in the field throughout the SCE service territory. This position will also require some travel while accompanying principals on business and personal trips.
  • This position has been identified as a NERC/CIP impacted position - Prior to being hired, the successful candidate must pass a Personnel Risk Assessment (PRA) or Background Investigation. Once hired, the candidate must complete specified training prior to gaining un-escorted access to assigned work location and performing necessary job duties.
  • This position will work an alternate schedule, including but not limited to a 3/12 work week.
  • Relocation does not apply to this position.

About Southern California Edison
The people at SCE don't just keep the lights on. Our mission is so much bigger. We're fueling the kind of innovation that's changing an entire industry, and quite possibly the planet. Join us and create a future with cleaner energy, while providing our customers with the safety and reliability they demand. At SCE, you'll have a chance to grow personally and professionally, making a real impact in Southern California and around the world.
Southern California Edison is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
We are committed to ensuring that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodations at AskHR@sce.com or (626) 302-3456 and select option 2.

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