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Coast Guard Security Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Security Assistant

Petaluma, CA ยท On-site +1

$63K - $82K/yr

Coast Guard, TRACEN PETALUMA CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION in PETALUMA, California. Learn more about this agency Duties Help You will serve as a Security Assistant and Defense Enrollment ...

Armed Security Guard

San Diego, CA ยท On-site

$18.50 - $23.25/hr

Coast Guard Sector San Diego . We are seeking dependable, licensed professionals with strong judgment, professionalism, and security experience. This is an excellent opportunity for prior military ...

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Coast Guard Security information

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$11

$19

$25

How much do coast guard security jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for coast guard security in the United States is $19.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.38 and $18.75 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Is Coast Guard Security hard to get into?

Coast Guard Security roles can be competitive and typically require meeting specific eligibility criteria, including physical fitness, background checks, and relevant training or certifications. Applicants often need to pass written exams and physical assessments, making the hiring process challenging but achievable with proper preparation.

Is the Coast Guard Security in high demand right now?

Coast Guard security roles are generally in steady demand due to ongoing needs for maritime safety, border security, and law enforcement. Job availability can fluctuate based on government funding, policy priorities, and operational requirements, often requiring relevant certifications and physical fitness. Overall, security positions within the Coast Guard tend to have consistent demand compared to some other security fields.

What is a Coast Guard Security?

Coast Guard Security officers are personnel responsible for protecting the assets, personnel, and facilities of the United States Coast Guard. Their duties include enforcing security protocols, monitoring restricted areas, conducting patrols, and responding to security incidents or threats. They may also assist in emergency situations and coordinate with other law enforcement or military agencies to ensure the safety and security of Coast Guard operations. Coast Guard Security officers play a vital role in national defense and maritime safety.

What is the difference between Coast Guard Security vs Maritime Security Officer?

AspectCoast Guard SecurityMaritime Security Officer
Required CertificationsUS Coast Guard licenses, maritime security credentialsSTCW certifications, maritime security training
Work EnvironmentMaritime vessels, ports, coastlinesShips, ports, offshore facilities
Employer & IndustryU.S. Coast Guard, government agenciesPrivate shipping companies, security firms

Coast Guard Security and Maritime Security Officers both operate in maritime environments and require similar certifications. However, Coast Guard Security roles are typically within government agencies focusing on national security, while Maritime Security Officers work for private companies securing commercial vessels and ports.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Coast Guard Security member?

To thrive as a Coast Guard Security member, you need strong physical fitness, situational awareness, and knowledge of maritime law, typically supported by completion of Coast Guard training and security clearances. Familiarity with security systems, surveillance equipment, and communication tools is essential for daily operations. Leadership, teamwork, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial soft skills in this role. These competencies ensure effective protection of maritime assets, swift emergency response, and overall mission success.

What are some common challenges faced by Coast Guard Security personnel, and how can new team members prepare for them?

Coast Guard Security personnel often face challenges such as adapting to rapidly changing environments, responding to emergencies, and maintaining vigilance during long shifts. New team members can prepare by staying physically fit, participating in regular training exercises, and developing strong communication skills to coordinate effectively with colleagues and other agencies. Embracing a mindset of continuous learning and being adaptable are crucial for handling the unpredictable nature of maritime security operations.
More about Coast Guard Security jobs
What cities are hiring for Coast Guard Security jobs? Cities with the most Coast Guard Security job openings:
What states have the most Coast Guard Security jobs? States with the most job openings for Coast Guard Security jobs include:
Infographic showing various Coast Guard Security job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $39,591 per year, or $19 per hour.

Security Assistant

U.S. Coast Guard

Petaluma, CA โ€ข On-site, Remote

$63K - $82K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

Summary
This vacancy is for a GS-0086-7, Security Assistant located in the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Coast Guard, TRACEN PETALUMA CUSTOMER SUPPORT SERVICES DIVISION in PETALUMA, California.
Learn more about this agency
Duties
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You will serve as a Security Assistant and Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System/Real-Time Automated Personnel Identification System (DEERS/RAPIDS) Identification Card Issuing and Verifying Officer, providing eligibility and entitlement counseling, verification and issuance of identification cards, operations and management of the RAPIDS/DEERS system, and support to the base security programs.
Being a Coast Guard civilian makes you a valuable member of the Coast Guard team. Typical work assignments include:
  • Issuing Identification Cards to authorized individuals.
  • Assisting with Personnel Security Program (PERSEC) by initiating individuals in the Electronic Questionnaires for Investigation Processing(E-QUIP) automated system; Performing local records check, fingerprinting, and reviewing paperwork for back ground investigations; Analyzing and resolving problems with investigations and clearance eligibility.
  • Validating and vetting visitor authorization requesting access to TRACEN Petaluma and conducting arrival briefings counseling personnel on security programs, policy and practices.

Reasonable Accommodation (RA) Requests: If you believe you have a disability (i.e., physical or mental), covered by the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 as amended that would interfere with completing the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, you will be granted the opportunity to request a RA in your online application. Requests for RA for the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments and appropriate supporting documentation for RA must be received prior to starting the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments. Decisions on requests for RA are made on a case-by-case basis. If you meet the minimum qualifications of the position, after notification of the adjudication of your request, you will receive an email invitation to complete the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments, based on your adjudication decision. You must complete all assessments within 48 hours of receiving the URL to access the USA Hire Competency Based Assessments if you received the link after the close of the announcement. To determine if you need a RA, please review the Procedures for Requesting a Reasonable Accommodation for Online Assessments. Reasonable Accommodation Information
Requirements
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Conditions of employment
All qualification requirements must be met by the closing date of the announcement.
Do NOT include the following types of information in your resume:
  • Social Security Number (SSN)
  • Date of Birth (DOB)
  • Photos of yourself (if included on your resume you will not be considered for this position)
  • Personal information: such as age, gender, religious affiliation, etc.

Key Requirements:
  • Must be a U.S. Citizen.
  • Must be registered or exempt from the Selective Service. See www.sss.gov
  • A one-year probationary period may be required.
  • To ensure the accomplishment of our mission, DHS requires every employee to be reliable and trustworthy. To meet those standards, all selected applicants must undergo and successfully pass a background investigation. This position requires a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI).
  • Time-in-Grade requirement must be met by the closing date of the vacancy.
  • All Federal employees are required to have Federal salary payments made by direct deposit.

The Office of Personnel management (OPM) must authorize employment offers made to current or former political appointees. If you are currently, or have been within the last 5 years, a political Schedule A, Schedule, C, Non-career SES or Presidential Appointee employee in the Executive Branch, you must disclose this information to the Human Resources Office.
Qualifications
To qualify at the GS-7 grade level, your resume must demonstrate at least one (1) full year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the GS-6 grade level in the federal sector. Specialized experience is experience that has equipped you with the ability, skill, and knowledge to successfully perform the duties of this position and is typically in or related to this line of work. Examples of specialized experience include performing the following types of tasks on a regular basis.
  • Verifying eligibility and issuing badges for access to installations, federal buildings, military bases, or other locations; checking badges at entries to ensure facility and personnel safety.
  • Analyzing and resolving personnel security problems with investigations and clearance eligibility; initiating local records checks, fingerprinting personnel and reviewing paperwork for background investigations.
  • Using computer software to initiate background checks, identifying threats; Maintaining automated daily security logs and preparing incident reports.
  • Conducting briefings and counseling personnel on security requirements, counseling on regulations, entitlements, benefits, and privileges pertaining to identification cards

NOTE: All experience statements (i.e., duties, specialized experience, or related applicable assessment) copied from this announcement and pasted into your resume will not be considered as a demonstration of your qualifications for this position.
NOTE: Education cannot be substituted for experience at this grade level.
National Service Experience (i.e., volunteer experience): Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional, philanthropic, religious, spiritual, community, student, social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Education
This position does not have a positive education requirement. If you are including education on your resume, report only attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. See Required Documents section for detail.
Are you qualifying based on education? Submit a copy of your college transcript (unofficial is acceptable) from an accredited institution. Once selected & prior to appointment, applicants must provide an official college transcript. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the U.S. (see FOREIGN EDUCATION below).
College Transcript: If this position requires specific educational course work to qualify, or you are qualifying based in whole or part on education, you are required to provide all unofficial transcripts (undergraduate, graduate, etc.) by the closing date of this announcement or you will be disqualified from further consideration. Transcripts should be legible and detailed, showing course number and department (i.e., bio 101, math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If course content cannot be easily identified from the title of the course as listed on your transcript, you must submit an official course description from the college/university that reflects the content at the time the course was taken.
FOREIGN EDUCATION: Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if you can show that your foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. To receive this credit, you must submit evidence of equivalency as provided by a credentialling evaluation service. It is your responsibility to provide such evidence with your application. See Recognition of Foreign Qualifications click here
Only experience and education obtained by the closing date of this announcement will be considered.
Additional information
Due Weight
Due weight will be given to performance appraisals and incentive awards in merit promotion selection decisions in accordance with 5 CFR 335.103(b)(3).
E-Verify
DHS uses E-Verify, an Internet-based system, to confirm the eligibility of all newly hired employees to work in the United States. Learn more about E-Verify, including your rights and responsibilities.
Fair Chance Act
The Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act prohibits the Department of Homeland Security and its Components from requesting an applicant's criminal history record before that individual receives a conditional offer of employment. In accordance with 5 U.S. Code ยง 9202(c) and 5 C.F.R ยง 920.201 certain positions are exempt from the provisions of the Fair Chance to Compete Act. Applicants who believe they have been subjected to a violation of the Fair Chance to Compete for Jobs Act, may submit a written complaint to pamela.k.flynn@uscg.mil.
Suitability Statement
If you receive a conditional offer of employment for this position, you will be required to complete an Optional Form 306, Declaration for Federal Employment, and to sign and certify the accuracy of all information in your application, prior to entry on duty. False statements on any part of the application may result in withdrawal of offer of employment, dismissal after beginning work, fine, or imprisonment.
Shared Certificates Statement
Applying to this announcement certifies that you give permission for DHS to share your application with others in DHS for similar positions.
Special Employment Consideration
The Department of Homeland Security encourages persons with disabilities to apply, to include persons with intellectual, severe physical or psychiatric disabilities, as defined by 5 CFR 213.3102(u), and or Disabled Veterans with a compensable service-connected disability of 30 percent or more as defined by 5 CFR 315.707. Veterans, Peace Corps, VISTA volunteers, and persons with disabilities possess a wealth of unique talents, experiences, and competencies that can be invaluable to the DHS mission. If you are a member of one of these groups, you may not have to compete with the public for federal jobs. To determine your eligibility for non-competitive appointment and to understand the required documentation, click on the links above or contact the servicing Human Resources Office listed at the bottom of this announcement.
If you are unable apply online, please contact pamela.k.flynn@uscg.mil. Decisions on granting reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. Visit Reasonable Accommodation
More than 1 selection may be made from this announcement if additional identical vacancies in the same title, series, grade, and unit occur within 45 days from the date the certificate was issued.
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Candidates should be committed to improving the efficiency of the Federal government, passionate about the ideals of our American republic, and committed to upholding the rule of law and the United States Constitution.
Benefits
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A career with the U.S. government provides employees with a comprehensive benefits package. As a federal employee, you and your family will have access to a range of benefits that are designed to make your federal career very rewarding. Opens in a new windowLearn more about federal benefits.
DHS offers competitive salaries and an attractive benefits package, including health, dental, vision, life, and long-term care insurance; retirement plan; Thrift Savings Plan [similar to a 401(k)]; Flexible Spending Account; Employee Assistance Program; personal leave days; and paid federal holidays.
Other benefits may include flexible work schedules; tuition reimbursement; transportation subsidies; uniform allowance; health and wellness programs; and fitness centers. DHS is committed to employee development and offers a variety of employee training and developmental opportunities. For more information, go to the DHS Careers website and select "Benefits." Disabled veteran leave will be available to any federal employee hired on or after November 5, 2016, who is a veteran with a service- connected disability rating of 30 percent or more.
Eligibility for benefits depends on the type of position you hold and whether your position is full-time, part-time or intermittent. Contact the hiring agency for more information on the specific benefits offered.