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Watch Commander Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Summary Description Under the general supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander (WC), the Watch Officer (WO) performs the monitoring, response, and communication duties within the operational ...

Summary Description Under the general supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander (WC), the Watch Officer (WO) performs the monitoring, response, and communication duties within the operational ...

Summary Description Under the general supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander (WC), the Watch Officer (WO) performs the monitoring, response, and communication duties within the operational ...

Summary Description Under the general supervision of the on-duty Watch Commander (WC), the Watch Officer (WO) performs the monitoring, response, and communication duties within the operational ...

In your day to day role as an Incident Commander, you will be acting as a liaison between Surefox ... Watch for unusual activity and respond immediately and safely to emergency situations on-site

Incident Commander Surefox North America Inc is a veteran owned company that pride ourselves on ... Watch for unusual activity and respond immediately and safely to emergency situations on-site

Is responsible to be the "Watch Commander" in the absence of the Police Captain and other Administrative Staff (Chief & Lieutenant). SUPERVISION EXERCISED: Provides supervision of sworn and non-sworn ...

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Watch Commander information

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$5

$13

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How much do watch commander jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for watch commander in the United States is $13.19, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $10.58 and $15.14 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Watch Commander?

A Watch Commander is a supervisory law enforcement officer who oversees police operations during a specific shift, often called a 'watch.' They are responsible for managing personnel, responding to major incidents, and making critical decisions to ensure public safety. Watch Commanders typically coordinate resources, provide guidance to officers, and serve as the highest-ranking official on duty during their shift. Their duties may vary depending on the size and structure of the police department, but they play a crucial role in maintaining order and effective communication within the team.

What is the difference between Watch Commander vs Security Supervisor?

AspectWatch CommanderSecurity Supervisor
CertificationsCPR, First Aid, Security Guard LicenseCPR, First Aid, Security Guard License
Work EnvironmentSecurity sites, patrols, emergency responseOverseeing security teams, site management
Employer & IndustrySecurity firms, private security, law enforcement supportSecurity companies, corporate security departments

Watch Commanders typically focus on overseeing security operations on-site, responding to incidents, and managing security personnel during shifts. Security Supervisors also manage security teams but often have broader responsibilities including administrative tasks and staff training. Both roles require similar certifications and are integral to security operations, but the Watch Commander is more operationally focused, while the Security Supervisor has a managerial oversight role.

How does a Watch Commander typically interact with other departments during emergency situations?

A Watch Commander plays a pivotal role in coordinating responses during emergencies by acting as the central point of communication between different departments such as patrol units, detectives, fire services, and medical responders. They are responsible for assessing situations, allocating resources, and ensuring that all involved teams are informed and working cohesively. This often involves making quick decisions, prioritizing incidents, and facilitating clear, ongoing communication to resolve situations efficiently while maintaining public safety.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Watch Commander, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Watch Commander, you need extensive experience in law enforcement or security management, strong leadership abilities, and often supervisory certification or relevant training. Familiarity with incident command systems, radio communication equipment, and digital incident reporting tools is typically required. Excellent decision-making, situational awareness, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for coordinating teams and responding to emergencies. These competencies ensure that critical situations are managed efficiently, team safety is upheld, and organizational protocols are consistently followed.
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Infographic showing various Watch Commander job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 67% Full Time, and 33% Temporary. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $27,432 per year, or $13.2 per hour.
Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Watch Commander)

Supervisory Border Patrol Agent (Watch Commander)

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

San Ysidro, CA • On-site

$147K/yr

Other

Retirement

Posted 20 days ago


U.S. Customs and Border Protection rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

121st of 692 rated public administrative organizations


Job description

Organizational Location: This position is with the Department of Homeland Security, within U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Border Patrol, San Diego Sector, Law Enforcement Operations Division, Chula Vista Station, located in San Ysidro, CA.
Additional selections may be made beyond the total number of vacancies specified using this vacancy announcement. Further selections may also be made for additional organizational divisions and/or units within the duty location(s) listed above.Qualifications:You qualify for the GS-14 grade level if you possess 1 year of specialized experience equivalent to at least the next lower grade level, performing duties such as:
  • Providing technical and administrative direction and oversight for all Border Patrol related functions within an assigned area.
  • Supervising, managing or directing operational programs and their appropriate support functions and directing local policy and program initiatives.
  • Developing, managing or directing operational policy or programs related to Border Patrol operations.

This position has an Individual Occupational Requirement: Specialized Experience in law enforcement or other responsible work that demonstrated the ability to: Make arrests and exercise sound judgment in the use of firearms; deal effectively with individuals or groups of persons in a courteous, tactful manner in connection with law enforcement matters; analyze information rapidly and make prompt decisions or take prompt and appropriate law enforcement action in light of applicable laws, court decisions, and sound law enforcement procedures; and develop and maintain contact with a network of informants.
Secondary Law Enforcement Officer Special Retirement Coverage: This is a secondary position subject to mandatory retirement under the special retirement provisions for law enforcement officers under CSRS and FERS 5 CFR 842.803, 5 CFR 831.903, 5 USC 8425(b), 5 USC 8335(b),5 USC 8412(d) and 5 USC 8336(c). Employees in secondary positions must meet the following conditions in order to be eligible for special retirement provisions: moved directly from a rigorous position to a secondary position without a break in service; complete 3 years of service in a rigorous position; and have been continuously employed in a secondary position(s) since moving from a rigorous position without a break in service exceeding 3 days. For more information on required years of service and retirement age, click on this link. For further information on when an employee continues or discontinues coverage under the special retirement system for law enforcement officers, see the CSRS and FERS handbook, Chapter 46 (CSRS pages 12-14, and FERS pages 41-43). If you have questions regarding your retirement coverage provisions, contact the CBP Retirement Operations Center at (202) 863-6180.
Mandatory Prerequisite for Secondary Administrative LEO Retirement Covered Position: This position has been identified as Administrative, that is, an executive, managerial, technical, semiprofessional, or professional position for which experience in a primary/rigorous law enforcement or firefighting position, or equivalent experience outside of the Federal government is a mandatory prerequisite,

as defined by 5 CFR 831.902 (CSRS) and 5 CFR 842.802 (FERS).

Note: if you currently serve in a permanent Secondary LEO Retirement covered position, you are exempt from this mandatory prerequisite.
Language Requirement: Must be proficient in the Spanish language. (i.e., able to speak and read in Spanish).
Firearms Requirement: This position requires that the incumbent meet initial and continuing qualifications in the use of firearms as outlined in the Gun Control Act of 1968, amended by the Lautenberg Amendment of 1996. An applicant whose background includes any of the following will be ineligible for consideration: 1) convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment exceeding one year; 2) has any outstanding warrants or is a fugitive from justice; 3) unlawful user of or addicted to any controlled substance; 4) adjudicated as a mental defective or has been committed to a mental institution; 5) illegally or unlawfully in the United States; 6) renounced U. S. citizenship; 7) subject to a court-ordered restraining (protection) order from harassing, stalking, or threatening an intimate partner (spouse, former spouse, parent of applicant's child, individual who cohabitates or has cohabitated with the applicant), or child; or 8) convicted under Federal, State, or Tribal Court of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence against an intimate partner or child.
Medical Requirements: Following a tentative job offer, candidates must undergo and successfully complete a medical screening process. Individuals must be medically and physically capable of performing the essential job functions and duties of the position safely and efficiently without endangering the health and safety of the individual, others, or national security. For more information regarding the medical screening process and requirements, check out our video and visit our website.
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.
You must:
  • Meet all qualification requirements, including education if applicable to this position, subject to verification at any stage of the application process; and
  • Meet all applicable Time in Grade requirements (current federal employees must have served 52 weeks at the next lower grade or equivalent grade band in the federal service) by 07/08/2026.
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.
Background Investigation: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is a federal law enforcement agency that requires all applicants to undergo a thorough background investigation prior to employment in order to promote the agency's core values of vigilance, service to country, and integrity. During the screening and/or background investigation process, you will be asked questions regarding any felony criminal convictions or current felony charges, the use of illegal drugs (e.g., marijuana, cocaine, heroin, LSD, methamphetamines, ecstasy), and the use of non-prescribed controlled substances including any experimentation, possession, sale, receipt, manufacture, cultivation, production, transfer, shipping, trafficking, or distribution of controlled substances. For additional information on the preemployment process, review the following link: Applicant Resources | CBP Careers
Polygraph Examination: This is a polygraph-required position. If you are not a current CBP employee in a law enforcement position, you may be required to take a polygraph exam and have favorable results in order to continue in the pre-employment process. Please see Polygraph Examination.
Polygraph Reciprocity: CBP may accept the results of a prior federal polygraph exam in lieu of a CBP polygraph exam. You will receive information to request reciprocity in your Background Investigation Package.
Polygraph Waiver: Certain veterans may be eligible to obtain a polygraph waiver. You will receive information to request a waiver in your Background Investigation Package.
Education:This job does not have an education qualification requirement.Employment Type: OTHER

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About U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

U.S. Customs and Border Protection serves and protects America with a workforce of more than 60,000 law enforcement and support professionals. We're united by our mission to guard our borders from threats and illicit activities while facilitating legitimate trade and travel.

Industry

Public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US

Year founded

2003