1

Security Watch Commander Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Watch Commander

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$18.25 - $24.75/hr

The Watch Commander also assists with patrolling the campus grounds and campus buildings to ensure ... Inspects the physical security of the campus areas, evaluates situations and conditions, identifies ...

Security Watch Stander - PART TIME

Norfolk, VA · On-site

$16 - $19.50/hr

This role is critical to maintaining secure operations for a mission-focused command supporting U.S ... Maintain continuous 24/7 security watch standing operations within the ROC facility * Monitor ...

Summary Description Under the general supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander (WC), the Watch ... Technical aptitude to effectively monitor and operate security, fire, and telecommunications ...

Summary Description Under the general supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander (WC), the Watch ... Technical aptitude to effectively monitor and operate security, fire, and telecommunications ...

Summary Description Under the general supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander (WC), the Watch ... Technical aptitude to effectively monitor and operate security, fire, and telecommunications ...

Security Officer

Kula, HI · On-site

$17 - $20.25/hr

Job Summary Under indirect supervision of Watch Commander and/or department supervisor, performs ... V. at Security Control Center. Dispatches officers to respond to these alarms via radio.

next page

Showing results 1-20

Security Watch Commander information

See salary details

$11

$19

$25

How much do security watch commander jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average hourly pay for security watch commander 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.

What is a security watch commander?

Security Watch Commanders are supervisory professionals responsible for overseeing security operations within a facility or organization. They manage security personnel, coordinate emergency responses, enforce safety protocols, and ensure compliance with company policies. Their role often includes monitoring surveillance systems, conducting inspections, and serving as the point of contact during incidents. Security Watch Commanders play a critical role in maintaining a safe environment and often report directly to security managers or facility directors.

How does a security watch commander typically coordinate with other security personnel during a shift?

A Security Watch Commander is responsible for overseeing and directing the activities of security officers during their shift, ensuring that all protocols are followed and incidents are reported promptly. Coordination often involves conducting regular briefings, assigning patrols, monitoring real-time security feeds, and serving as the main point of contact for both security staff and external agencies, such as law enforcement or emergency responders. Effective communication and leadership are crucial, as the Watch Commander must quickly disseminate information, delegate tasks, and respond to unexpected situations to maintain a safe environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a security watch commander, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Security Watch Commander, you need a solid background in security operations, incident response, and staff supervision, typically supported by experience in law enforcement or security management. Familiarity with surveillance systems, access control software, and incident reporting platforms, as well as certifications like CPP (Certified Protection Professional), are often expected. Strong leadership, decision-making, and communication skills help manage teams and coordinate with stakeholders during emergencies. These competencies are vital for ensuring safety, quick incident resolution, and effective oversight of security operations.

What is the difference between Security Watch Commander vs Security Supervisor?

AspectSecurity Watch CommanderSecurity Supervisor
CertificationsSecurity Guard License, sometimes additional certificationsSecurity Guard License, supervisory certifications
Work EnvironmentOversees security staff, manages security operations on-siteManages security teams, enforces policies, reports to management
Employer & Industry UsageSecurity firms, large facilities, corporate sitesSecurity companies, corporate security departments
Common Search & ComparisonOften searched to understand on-site security leadership rolesCompared for managerial responsibilities in security

The Security Watch Commander typically oversees security staff and operations on-site, ensuring safety protocols are followed. The Security Supervisor has a broader managerial role, focusing on team management, policy enforcement, and reporting. Both roles require similar certifications but differ in scope and responsibilities within security teams.

More about Security Watch Commander jobs

What cities are hiring for Security Watch Commander jobs?

Cities with the most Security Watch Commander job openings:

What are popular job titles related to Security Watch Commander jobs?

For Security Watch Commander jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Security Watch Commander job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,591 per year, or $19 per hour.

Watch Commander #1 - Integrated Operational Security & Crisis Management

Spartanburg, SC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

The Company

NorthMark Compute & Cloud (NMC)is backed by dedicated leadership and investment, with a clear mission as it operates at the bleeding edge of technology. Its goal is to scale and enhance the high-performance computing (HPC) and cloud infrastructure that supports its clients' research, production, and delivery, enabling breakthroughs that shape the industries of tomorrow. Its engineers build critical infrastructure to eliminate friction in scientific research, simulations, analysis, and decision-making, accelerating discovery and driving faster innovation.

The Position

The Watch Commander is the senior on-shift authority for the facility's security and operations watch floor in Spartanburg County, SC, responsible for the safe, secure, and continuous operation of a critical infrastructure campus during their assigned shift. The site operates islanded power generation systems and houses sensitive, high-availability computing workloads across a Tier-class HPC facility. This is an unarmed role: the Watch Commander does not carry a firearm or hold arrest authority.

Reporting to the Director of Integrated Operational Security & Crisis Management, the Watch Commander holds real-time command of the watch floor, directing security and operations personnel, monitoring all life-safety and security systems, executing established procedures, and acting as the first-line Incident Commander for any event that arises during their shift. Watch Commanders form the core leadership cadre for the future-state Enterprise Operations Centre (EOC), providing round-the-clock command continuity across the enterprise.

Responsibilities:

  • Hold real-time command of the security and operations watch floor for the duration of the assigned shift, maintaining continuous situational awareness across all monitored systems, personnel, and facility conditions.
  • Direct and supervise all on-shift security officers, console operators, and response staff , assigning posts, managing breaks and coverage, and ensuring every position is staffed to standard at all times.
  • Conduct structured, documented shift handovers at the start and end of each watch, ensuring complete continuity of awareness regarding open incidents, system status, ongoing works, and outstanding actions.
  • Develop and implement Incident, Emergency, and SOP Action Plans for the site-wide environment, ensuring plans are current, comprehensive, and aligned with the facility's Crisis Response Framework and broader emergency management standards.
  • Monitor and respond to alarms and indicators across access control, CCTV, intrusion detection, fire and life-safety, power generation status, and HPC facility environmental systems, escalating per established thresholds.
  • Maintain accurate, contemporaneous logs of all shift activity, events, decisions, and notifications in the operations log and incident management systems.
  • Act as the first-line Incident Commander for any security, safety, or operational event occurring during the shift, initiating the appropriate response under ICS/NIMS principles until relieved by the Director or senior leadership.
  • Execute the facility's Crisis Response Framework, Incident Action Plans, and standard operating procedures accurately and decisively under pressure.
  • Activate internal cascade lists, notification trees, and escalation protocols promptly, ensuring leadership and external partners are alerted within defined timeframes.
  • Coordinate the initial on-site reception and integration of responding external agencies, EMS, law enforcement, fire, and HAZMAT teams.
  • Ensure all shift activity is conducted in strict accordance with security policies, SOPs, permit-to-work systems, and access control standards.
  • Enforce access management protocols for the sensitive computing environment, verifying authorisations, supervising escorted access, and maintaining audit-ready records of all entries to controlled areas.
  • Conduct regular floor checks, post inspections, and patrol verifications to confirm procedures are being followed and standards upheld.
  • Lead, motivate, and develop the on-shift team, setting clear expectations, providing real-time coaching, and maintaining high standards of professionalism, alertness, and conduct.
  • Conduct pre-shift briefings covering current threats, ongoing works, system status, and the day's operational priorities, ensuring every team member starts the watch fully informed.
  • Deliver and reinforce ongoing training, drills, and scenario exercises during the shift to sustain readiness and embed correct response behaviours.
  • Maintain awareness of all EHS conditions on the watch floor and across the campus, enforcing safe work practices, permit-to-work controls, and EHS reporting requirements during the shift.
  • Supervise and verify the activity of on-site contractors and vendors during the shift, confirming authorisations, inductions, and adherence to site safety and security requirements.
  • Coordinate with HPC operations, facilities, and engineering teams to ensure alignment on security and operational activities and de-conflicted.

Requirements:

  • 7+ years of progressive experience in security operations, law enforcement, military, emergency services, or a related mission-critical operational environment, with demonstrated supervisory or shift-leadership responsibility.
  • Proven experience leading a team in a 24/7 operational setting, security operations centre, dispatch, watch floor, command post, or comparable environment.
  • ICS/NIMS incident command training (NIMS 100/200/700 required; 300 strongly preferred), with the ability to act as first-line Incident Commander.
  • Demonstrated ability to remain calm, decisive, and effective during high-pressure, time-critical incidents.
  • Strong working knowledge of physical security systems including access control, CCTV, and intrusion detection platforms.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with disciplined documentation and clear handover practices.
  • Ability to work a rotating shift pattern including nights, weekends, and holidays, and to respond on short notice to operational needs.
  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice, Emergency Management, Security Management, or a related field.
  • Prior experience in critical infrastructure, utility, or high-availability operational environments.
  • Familiarity with EHS and HAZMAT response procedures, permit-to-work systems, and process safety practices.
  • Experience operating PSIM or integrated command platforms.
  • Exposure to HPC facility physical security standards (SOC 2, ISO 27001 physical domains) or NERC CIP environments.
  • Relevant professional certification such as ASIS PSP, CPP, or equivalent.
  • Background investigation, reference checks, and pre-employment screening required. Active or clearable security clearance status may be required.
  • Schedule: Full-time, on-site rotating shift pattern providing 24/7/365 coverage including nights, weekends, and public holidays. Shift differential pay applies.

It is impossible to list every requirement for, or responsibility of, any position. Similarly, we cannot identify all the skills a position may require since job responsibilities and the Company's needs may change over time. Therefore, the above job description is not comprehensive or exhaustive. The Company reserves the right to adjust, add to or eliminate any aspect of the above description. The Company also retains the right to require all employees to undertake additional or different job responsibilities when necessary to meet business needs.

Must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship, now or at any time in the future.

Benefits & Perks:

  • Company-Paid Lunch Stipend: Lunch is provided via GrubHub

  • Company-Paid Benefits: 100% Employer-Paid Medical in our High Deductible Health Plan, Dental and Vision benefits for employees and their families, 16 weeks of Paid Parental Leave, Employee Assistance Program, Life insurance, Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability

  • 401(k): Company will match 100% of your contributions up to 6%

  • Optional Employee-Paid Benefits: Medical insurance in our PPO plan and a variety of other benefits such as Health Savings Accounts (with Company Contribution!), Flexible Spending Accounts, Supplemental Life Insurance, Wellhub and more.

  • Time Off: 25 days of Paid Time Off plus 12 company holidays


EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER

NORTHMARK STRATEGIES LLC IS AN EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER. THE COMPANY'S POLICY IS NOT TO DISCRIMINATE AGAINST ANY APPLICANT OR EMPLOYEE BASED ON RACE, COLOR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, GENDER, AGE, SEXUAL ORIENTATION, GENDER IDENTITY OR EXPRESSION, MARITAL STATUS, MENTAL OR PHYSICAL DISABILITY, AND GENETIC INFORMATION, OR ANY OTHER BASIS PROTECTED BY APPLICABLE LAW. THE FIRM ALSO PROHIBITS HARASSMENT OF APPLICANTS OR EMPLOYEES BASED ON ANY OF THESE PROTECTED CATEGORIES.