Security Officer Jobs in San Francisco

Security Officer Roles in San Francisco

Retail assignments in San Francisco center on Union Square, including Post Street, Geary Street and Maiden Lane, along with Market Street, Hayes Valley and Fillmore Street. Officers also staff lobbies and access points in office and residential buildings and cover events and launches across the city.

Many San Francisco stores open directly onto the sidewalk. Door management, steady communication with neighboring stores and fast, accurate incident reports are part of daily work, and retailers expect officers to protect staff while following each store’s apprehension policy. Union Square stores have dealt with organized theft and street-level disorder, so de-escalation skills are essential. In office buildings, officers support tenants’ visitor and badge procedures.

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.

California Security Guard Registration

California registers security guards through the Bureau of Security and Investigative Services (BSIS), part of the Department of Consumer Affairs. Every unarmed officer working in San Francisco needs a BSIS Security Guard Registration, commonly called a guard card. The main requirements are:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Complete Power to Arrest training before the registration is issued.
• Pass a criminal history background check through the California Department of Justice and the FBI, using Live Scan fingerprinting and the Security Guard Request for Live Scan Service form.
• Submit the registration application to BSIS.
• Complete 32 hours of security officer skills training within the first six months, followed by 8 hours of continuing training every year.

BSIS rules apply statewide, so the same registration covers work in San Francisco, the Peninsula and the East Bay.

Additional Requirements for Armed Officers

Armed guards in California must hold a Security Guard Registration and a BSIS Firearms Permit. Applicants must be at least 21 and be a U.S. citizen or have permanent legal immigration status. They complete the BSIS Course of Firearms Training at a Bureau-approved facility, with a written exam and range qualification, and pass an assessment of judgment, restraint and self-control within six months before applying. Permit holders requalify on the range twice in each twelve-month period. Requirements change, so applicants should confirm current rules with the regulator before applying. This summary is general information, not legal advice.

What McCray Looks For

McCray looks for officers who are reliable, use sound judgment and communicate clearly. In San Francisco that means holding a door post through a full shift with full attention, calming a tense situation at a sidewalk entrance before it escalates, knowing when to call police rather than intervene, and documenting each incident accurately. Officers in Union Square and downtown office buildings also need a professional, welcoming manner with shoppers, tenants and visitors.

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 San Francisco 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 guard card before applying?

California requires a BSIS Security Guard Registration to work as a security guard. Applicants who already hold a guard card should list it. Questions can be sent to hr@mccraygp.com.

What ongoing training does California require?

Registered guards complete 32 hours of security officer skills training within the first six months and 8 hours of continuing training every year. McCray adds tier-based training, including de-escalation and, for retail posts, organized retail crime recognition.

What is required for armed posts in San Francisco?

Armed officers must hold a BSIS Firearms Permit along with the guard card, be at least 21 and complete the BSIS Course of Firearms Training and assessment. McCray assigns armed posts only after a review of each site’s requirements.

Are there openings in San Francisco right now?

Not every location has openings at all times. Applicants can check the careers portal for current openings in the San Francisco area.