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Dignitary Protection Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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Dignitary Protection information

See Virginia salary details

$12

$19

$26

How much do dignitary protection jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for dignitary protection in Virginia is $19.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.16 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are dignitary protection officers?

Dignitary protection officers are specialized security professionals responsible for ensuring the safety of high-profile individuals, such as government officials, foreign diplomats, and visiting VIPs. Their duties include risk assessment, advance planning, close personal protection, and coordinating with law enforcement agencies to prevent and respond to potential threats. These officers are highly trained in defensive tactics, surveillance detection, and emergency response to safeguard dignitaries during public appearances, travel, and private activities.

What is the difference between Dignitary Protection vs Executive Protection?

AspectDignitary ProtectionExecutive Protection
CredentialsSecurity certifications, law enforcement or military backgroundSecurity certifications, law enforcement or military background
Work EnvironmentHigh-profile events, government officials, public appearancesCorporate executives, business leaders, high-net-worth individuals
Employer & IndustryGovernment agencies, private security firms, event organizersCorporations, private security firms, executive agencies

Both Dignitary Protection and Executive Protection require similar credentials and often overlap in work environments. Dignitary Protection typically involves safeguarding government officials and public figures during events, while Executive Protection focuses on protecting corporate executives and high-net-worth individuals in daily or travel settings. Understanding these distinctions helps clients choose the right security service for their needs.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in Dignitary Protection, and why are they important?

To thrive in Dignitary Protection, you need expertise in security protocols, threat assessment, and defensive tactics, often supported by law enforcement or military backgrounds and specialized training certifications. Familiarity with surveillance technology, secure communications systems, and advanced driving techniques is typically required. Strong situational awareness, discretion, and excellent decision-making under pressure distinguish top professionals in this field. These skills and qualities are crucial to ensure the safety, privacy, and effective protection of high-profile individuals in potentially volatile environments.

What Are Dignitary Protection Jobs?

Dignitary protection jobs focus on helping protect dignitaries from various threats as they travel. In this context, dignitary usually refers to local and foreign public officials like prime ministers and ambassadors. Depending on who is involved, this job may be done as part of the secret service, a local police unit, or as an independent contractor. In this role, you escort dignitaries to and from predetermined areas, help manage local threats, and otherwise take steps to intercept security threats and ensure the physical safety of dignitaries. Dignitary protection frequently involves traveling or working on an inconsistent schedule.

What are some of the typical challenges faced by professionals in Dignitary Protection, and how are they addressed?

Professionals in Dignitary Protection often encounter challenges such as rapidly changing threat environments, maintaining discretion while ensuring security, and coordinating with local law enforcement or event organizers. Adapting to last-minute itinerary changes and managing public interactions without compromising safety are also common. These challenges are addressed through ongoing risk assessments, thorough advance work, regular training, strong communication skills, and teamwork within multi-disciplinary security teams.
What are popular job titles related to Dignitary Protection jobs in Virginia? For Dignitary Protection jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Dignitary Protection jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Dignitary Protection job openings:
Operations Center Watch Officer IV

Operations Center Watch Officer IV

Cayuse Holdings

Blackstone, VA

$83K - $104K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 23 days ago


Job description

Employment in this role is conditional upon successful execution of the contract by the client.

The Work 

The Operations Center Watch Officer IV will help provide a safe and secure training environment for the staff, students, and visitors by providing daily operations, coordination, and communications to all units utilizing the client's training spaces. This role is responsible for coordination, de-confliction, and safety considerations of training areas used by the client's training programs. This role serves as a lead for operations center teams. 

This position performs all duties and responsibilities in accordance with the Mission, Vision, and Core Values of Cayuse. 


Key Responsibilities  

  • Responsible for expert coordination, de-confliction, and safety considerations of training areas used by the client's training programs in order to provide a safe and secure environment for the staff, students, and visitors.

  • Oversees and directs facility-wide notifications using a variety of communications media.

  • As the subject matter expert in operations coordination, leads and assists the development, evaluation and instruction of course curriculum.

  • Oversees and conducts administrative functions associated within the training operations center to include training requests processing, training coordination, training tracking logs, and emergency operations procedures.

  • Operates integrated wave communications systems and terminate radio traffic to the operations center utilizing multiple networks, frequencies, communications security, and proper radio procedures.

  • Maintains technical and tactical proficiency on topics that include Wave communication, Personal Tracking Locators, Mobile Video Systems, Unmanned Arial Vehicles, Security Management Systems, Electric Counter Measures, Tactical Operations Center planning and procedures, route planning techniques, emergency operations procedures, convoy operations, tactical communications protocols, surveillance detection, navigation, High Threat Tactical protective security procedures and communications.

  • Serves as an expert for all DS specialized hard skills programs, force continuum procedures, anti-terrorism topics, domestic and overseas high threat dignitary protection, improvised explosive device (IED) recognition, room entry tactics (Close Quarters Battle-CQB), defensive tactics, advanced firearms tactics, and physical fitness.

  • Oversees one or more of the following portfolios that pertain to training operations: Safety, Security, Operations, Coordination, or Communications.

  • Gathers and monitors data from sources such as surface or upper stations, satellites, weather bureaus, or radar for risk management purposes as it relates to training operations.

  • Provides assistance in conducting practical exercises.

  • Presents security awareness briefings to a wide range of audiences, including senior officials.

  • Maintains requisite levels of proficiency in current techniques, methods, policies and procedures for security operations.

  • Assists with equipment inventory and maintenance for assigned programs.

  • Performs as a training safety officer.

  • Articulates instructional tasks and provides guidance on how to perform them; assists with performance evaluations.

  • Other duties as assigned. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Qualifications – Here’s What You Need  

  • Must possess a high school diploma.

  • Certified in non-lethal projectile training, destructive device training, and/or safety training.

  • Four (4) years’ experience in a tactical operations center, plus five (5) years of relevant hard skills tactics experience.

  • Bachelor’s or associate degree or equivalent experience preferred.

  • Five (5) years of supervisory experience preferred.

  • Instructor experience preferred.

  • Completion of a recognized instructor development training course preferred.

  • Secret Clearnce is required.

  • Due to the nature of work at the client’s site, U.S. Citizenship is required. 

  • Must be able to pass a background check. May require additional background checks as required by projects and/or clients at any time during employment. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Minimum Skills: 

  • Must have excellent people and organizational skills.

  • Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

  • Expert knowledge of terrorist operations, surveillance detection, motorcade operations, communications.

  • Expert knowledge of law enforcement/military training programs to ensure training is conducted safely and to provide expert recommendations based on past observation of training.

  • Advanced knowledge of security concepts, principles, and practices to provide basic and advanced training in the application of protective security methods.

  • Expert knowledge of security programs, operations, and techniques, including terrorism and anti-terrorism operations, use of force, civil liability, and appropriate techniques, tactics, and procedures.

  • Expert knowledge of current protective security methods to provide instruction that is consistent with currently accepted methods and practices.

  • Familiarity with the functions, responsibilities, and duties of foreign service personnel preferred.

  • Advanced knowledge of adult learning principles, course development, classroom and practical instructional presentation methods, and methods for evaluating training effectiveness.

  • Advanced knowledge in the development and revision of training curriculum.

  • Ability to immediately analyze, predict, and preclude situations to ensure training is conducted in a safe manner.

  • Ability to establish and maintain liaison with personnel at all levels in order to plan and coordinate assigned responsibilities.

  • kill in oral and written communication to present training to a variety of audiences. 

Our Commitment to you / overview of benefits  

  • Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance; Wellness Program.

  • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care, Commuter).

  • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability options.

  • Basic Life and AD&D Insurance (Company Provided).

  • Voluntary Life and AD&D options.

  • 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan with matching after one year.

  • Paid Time Off.

 
 
 
 
 
 

 Reports to: Program Manager 

Working Conditions  

  • Ability to complete work requiring regular and recurring physical and mental exertion, long periods of standing and irregular hours. Ability to work in unpleasant or adverse environmental conditions, such as extreme hot and cold.

  • Ability to lift and carry equipment and materials demonstrating physical challenging practical exercises.

  • Ability to work effectively in an environment that consists of numerous personnel, use of non-lethal projectiles (firearms), air assets (helicopters), pyrotechnics, and fast-moving vehicles. 

  • Must be able to work on-site in Blackstone, VA.  

  • Must be physically and mentally able to perform duties extended periods of time. 

  • Ability to use a computer and other office productivity tools with sufficient speed to meet the demands of this position. 

  • Must be able to sit for long periods of time looking at computer screen. 

  • Must be able to establish a productive and professional workspace. 

  • May be asked to work a flexible schedule which may include holidays. 

  • May be asked to travel for business or professional development purposes. 

  • May be asked to work hours outside of normal business hours. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 Other Duties: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.  Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. 

Cayuse is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, skills, and abilities. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment in accordance with any applicable federal, state, or local law. 


USD $83,613.00 - USD $104,498.00 /Yr.