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Protective Security Detail Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Protective Security Detail information

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$14

$27

$55

How much do protective security detail jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for protective security detail in Colorado is $27.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.23 and $30.82 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a protective security detail?

A Protective Security Detail (PSD) job involves providing close protection to individuals who may be at risk due to their profession, status, or location. PSD teams, often composed of highly trained security professionals, assess threats, plan secure movements, and respond to potential dangers. They typically work for government agencies, private security firms, or corporate clients in high-risk environments. Their duties may include route planning, surveillance detection, and emergency response to ensure the safety of the client.

What does a typical day look like for someone working on a protective security detail team?

A typical day for a Protective Security Detail professional involves advance route planning, conducting security sweeps, monitoring the environment for potential threats, and providing close personal protection to clients. You may collaborate closely with other security personnel, local law enforcement, or drivers to ensure seamless coverage and rapid response capabilities. The role often requires flexibility, as assignments can vary daily and may include travel or extended shifts. Team members must stay alert at all times, adapt to evolving situations, and maintain clear communication to guarantee the client’s safety and confidence.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in the protective security detail position, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Protective Security Detail, you need expertise in threat assessment, defensive tactics, situational awareness, and typically a background in law enforcement or military. Familiarity with security communication systems, surveillance equipment, and certifications such as CPR, first aid, and specialized security training are often required. Strong interpersonal skills, discretion, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are crucial for building trust with clients and responding effectively to emergencies. These skills are vital to ensure client safety, mitigate risks, and maintain professionalism in high-stakes environments.

Infographic showing various Protective Security Detail job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 77% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,820 per year, or $27.3 per hour.

Protective Security Advisor

US Department of Homeland Security

Colorado Springs, CO • On-site

$90K/yr

Full-time

Posted 3 days ago

New


U.S. Department Of Homeland Security rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

100th of 297 rated public sector bodies


Job description

CISA's Integrated Operations Division (IOD) is the hub for staying on top of threats and emerging risks to our nation's critical infrastructure. IOD coordinates situational awareness and response to national cyber, communications, and physical incidents. The Protective Security Advisor combines all aspects of security.
The official title of this position is Security Specialist, GS-0080-13/14.Qualifications:Do NOT copy and paste the duties, specialized experience, or occupational assessment questionnaire from this announcement into your resume as that will not be considered a demonstration of your qualifications for this position. Your resume must describe your work and experience, in your own words.
To be considered minimally qualified for this position, you must demonstrate that you have the required experience for the respective grade level in which you are applying.
YOU MUST ALSO MEET THE FOLLOWING MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:
You qualify at the GS-13 grade level, if you have:
EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-12 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties:
  1. Reviewing, interpreting, and implementing a variety of policies, procedures, and directives relative to the protection of critical infrastructure;
  2. Preparing written reports of findings and recommendations for improving security plans and procedures; AND
  3. Analyzing, investigating, and assessing critical infrastructure physical security and resilience processes, procedures, dependencies, interdependencies and vulnerabilities for critical infrastructure facilities, systems and protection programs.
You qualify at the GS-14 grade level, if you have:
EXPERIENCE: At least one (1) year of specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level (or equivalent) performing all the following duties:
  1. Serving as a strategic, operational and technical authority in advising critical infrastructure partners, owners and operators, and officials on security and resilience improvements to reduce vulnerability and risk;
  2. Building trusted partnerships in order to provide tools, training, programs and resources to enhance security and resilience;
  3. Coordinating and collaborating with high-level executives in response to, and recovery from, natural or man-made incidents in accordance with the National Response Framework; AND
  4. Coordinating physical security protective measures and procedures for critical infrastructure programs.
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.
Time-in-Grade Requirements: Under competitive merit promotion procedures, any individual who is currently holding, or who has held within the previous 52 weeks, a General Schedule (GS) position under a non-temporary appointment in the competitive or excepted service, must meet "time-in-grade" requirements (have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade of the grade for which you are applying). NOTE: Current or former GS federal civilian employees, within the previous 52 weeks, applying for a position under the Veterans Employment Opportunities Act (VEOA) must meet time-in-grade requirements.
Time After Competitive Appointment: By the closing date specified in this job announcement, current Federal civilian employees must wait at least 90 days after their latest non-temporary appointment from a competitive service referral certificate before promotion, transfer, reinstatement, reassignment, or detail.
All qualification requirements, including Time-in-Grade, must be met by the closing date of this announcement. Qualification AND Time-in-Grade claims will be subject to verification.Education:No Educational Substitution: There is no substitution of education for experience at this grade level. You must meet the qualifications listed in the "Requirements" section of this announcement.
Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is a federal agency operating within the government services industry in Washington, DC, US. Established in 2003, the DHS is directly responsible for public security, roughly comparable to the interior or home ministries of other countries. Its main responsibilities include protecting the United States from and responding to terrorist attacks, man-made accidents, and natural disasters. Through its more than 20 component agencies including Coast Guard, Customs and Border Protection, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, it ensures the safety of the US through numerous programs and initiatives. The DHS upholds a core value system with the mission of safeguarding the American people, our homeland, and values. Notably, the DHS plays a critical role in the spectral range of activities to prepare, prevent, and respond to possible threats to the US.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003