Security Officer Jobs in New York City

Security Officer Roles in New York City

Security work in New York City covers a wide range of settings. Officers staff the doors and selling floors of flagship stores and boutiques on Fifth Avenue, Madison Avenue and in SoHo, cover lobbies and front desks in Midtown and Downtown office buildings, provide concierge and lobby security in residential buildings, and manage access and guest lists at product launches and private events.

A Fifth Avenue flagship sees heavy tourist traffic and high-value merchandise, so officers need to recognize a coordinated theft team early while keeping the store welcoming. SoHo stores open onto busy sidewalks, which puts door management and clear incident reports at the center of the job. Lobby officers manage visitors, deliveries and tenant requests. Fire watch posts carry their own FDNY Certificate of Fitness requirements, covered in this guide to FDNY fire guard certificates.

What McCray Offers Officers

• Weekly pay for every officer.
• Medical, dental and vision coverage and a 401(k) with match for eligible employees.
• Advancement to supervisor and management roles based on performance, qualifications and available positions.
• Roles from entry-level officer posts to Tier III positions for retired law enforcement officers with 20 or more years of sworn service. See the Officer Classification Program.

Before assignment, officers complete McCray’s five-stage screening process and tier-based training, including de-escalation and, for retail posts, organized retail crime recognition.

New York Security Guard Registration

New York registers individual security guards through the Department of State, Division of Licensing Services, under the Security Guard Act. Every unarmed officer working in New York City needs a security guard registration. To obtain one, an applicant must:

• Be at least 18 years old and have no conviction for a serious criminal offense.
• Complete the 8-hour Pre-Assignment Training course at a school approved by the Division of Criminal Justice Services.
• Complete electronic fingerprinting.
• Submit the Employee Statement and Security Guard Application (DOS-1206) to the Department of State with the training certificate and a current New York photo driver license or non-driver ID, or a Request for Photo Image form.

After hire, guards complete 16 hours of On-the-Job Training within 90 days of employment and 8 hours of Annual In-Service Training each calendar year. Details are on the Department of State Become a Security Guard and Security Guard Training Requirements pages. Requirements change, so applicants should confirm current rules with the regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice.

Additional Requirements for Armed Officers

Armed guards in New York must hold a valid New York State pistol permit and a security guard registration before enrolling in the 47-hour Firearms Training course, and then apply for an armed guard registration. An 8-hour Annual Firearms Training course is required each calendar year, in addition to the annual in-service course. McCray assigns armed posts only after a review of the site’s risk, lease and insurance requirements.

What McCray Looks For

McCray looks for officers who are reliable, use sound judgment and communicate clearly. In New York City that means arriving on time for every shift despite transit delays, staying calm on a crowded sales floor, writing incident reports that loss prevention teams and the NYPD can rely on, and treating every client, tenant and guest with courtesy.

How to Apply

Open positions are listed on the McCray careers portal, hosted by ADP. Not every location has openings at all times. Applicants can check the portal for current openings in the New York City area, select a position and apply online.

The recruiting team reviews each application and contacts qualified candidates. Questions can be sent to hr@mccraygp.com, and more about working at McCray is on the Careers page.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do applicants need a license before applying?

New York requires every security guard to hold a Department of State registration, and the 8-hour Pre-Assignment Training certificate is submitted with the registration application. Applicants who already hold a registration should include it. Questions can be sent to hr@mccraygp.com.

What training do officers complete after they are hired?

New York requires 16 hours of On-the-Job Training within 90 days of employment and 8 hours of Annual In-Service Training each calendar year.

Does McCray hire armed officers in New York City?

Armed posts require an armed guard registration and a valid New York State pistol permit, and are assigned after a review of each site’s requirements.

Are there openings in New York City right now?

Not every location has openings at all times. Applicants can check the careers portal for current openings in the New York City area.