security officer

armed security officer

security guard

field supervisor

shift leader

American Guard Services

I'm a new employee. PROS: They hired me quickly and gave me a high paying Post and I mean high, most of their stuff is a paltry 13 even with experience (applicants beware on that one). CONS: Post is at a Gov't run Facility, you have to go thru an extensive background that takes about a week. I LITERALLY showed up to the Post and the Site Manager gave me a blank look, asked what the fruck I'm doing here, what was my position (I think they're looking for a Post Commander), he was cool don't get me wrong, but he was like, o okay, go home, sorry, see you tomorrow for the background appointment. Before I left he said hang on, let me call the Company. So I say okay. He literally has to try for a solid 20 minutes to get through to anybody. Nobody knew about the background check. So he says real firmly, hey, just so you know next time, you can't just send guards here, it doesn't work like that with the Gov't here. So they up and say on speaker to me, oh, you can work someplace else we'll call you. They NEVER called I had to call hours later. Nobody knew I was asked to work someplace else. So after I explained about 12 times to 4 different people (yup), they say oh, we'll call you for work, we'll get you for the weekend and for next week. No, I say firmly...weekend ONLY, because my background will be coming thru and I don't wanna lose my Post and several extra dollars of pay. They tried to push back, but I said hey, you have any questions, call my new manager, his expectation is for me to come down the very day the background clears and train that night, and that will be right after the weekend. So they say okay and we'll call you the next day. Well folks, today is the next day, and no calls. I'm expected to be on Post tomorrow at 16:00. I have no idea where the Post is except for it's one of their grocery store accounts (that's the bulk of their contracts with the lower pay, be advised). My phone goes OFF after 7 out of respect to my time and personal life (I'm the type of guard that works 6 days/week so my personal time means a lot to me). Long to the short, these guys don't know one thing from the next, or have enough coordination on their management and scheduling team to figure out the basics. Yes, I'm gonna work for them because the facility is really awesome and I'll be doing everything from xray machines to cctv and the usual patrol, exciting stuff, and good to build my guard resume. But who knows if I'm working this weekend. These guys need to work on their organization for sure. 

A typical day at work for me is interesting, I've been given the proper training to perform my job, and I can apply that to my work load. I def have a positive encouraging and god like attitude in my work place and I have it in my mind to work as a team player to ensure all needs are meet of my employer.

Many things I leaned at maritime security are confidential, I don't want to put it out there, something small I can say is ensuring people are clear of metals and electronics on their bodies for clearing our walk through metal detectors.

Management there are great people, every manager has different techs to bring to the table and it's all an experience, their def open to new ideas and I haven't found one just yet whom I haven't had a good relationship with. Were there to do the same thing and that is maritime security, I'm glad no one lets a title above mine gets to their head. 

My co-workers are cool to work with for the most part, we have many things we need to work on, such as memorizing our job duties better and working more efficiently together, supervisors prep up those who seem to have issue at performing their jobs the right way.

Maritime security is fairly easy, the only challenge is staying awake on duty if your that tired furthermore feeding bags through the scan machine when you have a 3000 + passenger ship which we do get, but there are at least 3 officers to a machine so we can switch positions every so often.

The most enjoyable part of the job I'd say is in the morning how relaxed the post are until passenger screening gets busy and lastly when its slows down towards the end of the shift which at that point every one has boarded the ship and only a few people left to make it to the cruise before it sets sail.

The structure within the Accounting and Payroll departments seems to lack balance, with concerns about a strong presence of family members in key roles. This dynamic creates an environment where promotions and opportunities may be influenced by personal connections rather than individual merit or performance.

There is also a noticeable issue with privacy, as confidential conversations between executives and the CEO often take place in the accounting area, affecting the ability for staff to maintain focus and productivity. This can also contribute to a sense of being overly monitored.

Communication within the company, particularly between executives and the accounts teams, could be improved. At times, requests are delivered in a tone that feels dismissive, which may lead to a breakdown in collaboration and staff morale. Additionally, there's a lack of accountability when issues arise, as communication challenges are often not acknowledged by those in leadership positions.

The Accounts Payable Lead, while experienced, sometimes exhibits difficulty in working collaboratively with others, which can hinder team efficiency and cooperation. Similarly, the Payroll Supervisor, despite her long tenure, has demonstrated a tendency to make comments that are not always in line with professional standards. This has the potential to negatively impact team morale and trust.

While the company may provide valuable short-term experience for students, those seeking long-term professional growth, respect, and development may find it difficult to thrive in this environment.

The pay for this job is well below the national average, especially considering the one and only contract this company has is for a port run by the Coast Guard and US Customs agents. The days are long, but we only get three days a week. The work is mind-numbingly boring and there are often very few chances for breaks. A typical day consists of guarding the same door for about four to five hours, standing 90% of that time, then standing for the last few hours of the day while dealing with the thousands of passengers that come through your line. Favoratism is the biggest problem, however, as some people can seem to get away with behavior that has gotten other people fired. It is a small wonder that this job has an extremely high turn-over rate. I'm not exaggerating when I say I see a few new faces every week. Despite that, we are still understaffed on at least one day every week which forces everyone else to work twice as hard to make up for it. There is no hope for a raise of any kind, although there is a compensation program for officers that find certain prohibited items during passenger screening. The payout for these "bonuses," however, can take anywhere between a couple of weeks to a couple of months to process. Most of the management staff is very upfront with you, at least, but there is zero tolereance for showing up late. Fortunately, that isn't a problem with me, but being written up for a first-time tardiness is ridiculous, especially since you get fired after just two write-ups.

● Work-life balance
The field supervisor was responsible for all posts in their region, and was required to cover if posts were empty. Which means lots of driving. Leaving early some days to go to Wichita, and covering late into the night while working in Manhattan then driving home to Topeka.

● Pay & benefits
Field supervisors are a salaried position, if you don't cover you are still paid for your work. Of you're covering you aren't paid anything for the extra time. And while covering you may work weekends and not receive any compensation. Or have a long day starting at 6AM and be home at 12AM and still only make salary.

● Job security and advancement
They promote from within, but at a certain point the promotions funnel to a standstill.

● Management
The management was 50/50 on information and training. I received weekly updates on all new changes of protocols and procedures, especially pertaining to Covid-19. The tools needed to replace staff or access to certain programs was limited and gaining info for fixing things was sometimes hard.

● Culture
You'll interact with several locations weekly and be involved with many changes. It's not a job to take slowly or fast.

● Overall
When working for this job I had to cover several locations and was not paid for those job coverings due to being paid salary. The information flow was also 50/50. Constant updates from above pertaining to protocols and procedures. But hardly any answers pertaining to questions about guard statuses and hiring or firing.

I worked with AGS for about a month before throwing in the towel. They have a hard time paying employees and the management side of things are horrendous. We had two site supervisors that really only complained about their job or came to write up a random officer. In my month there, three previous officer had quit, the field supervisor that was set to take the morning shift had a fit everyday and always felt the need to insult the officers including myself. Employees of the company we were contracted by have had their own run ins with the same field supervisor. If we needed help or had any questions, it was pretty much “Good Luck” to the officers because no one answered our calls. The other site supervisor was really full of himself and has a constant power trip. Over time was thrown on us randomly and we were forced to work the extra hours due to the facts the the supervisors are “tired” and couldn’t do it and someone needed to be there. You wanna say no? Then your job was on the line. And the branch manager completely ghosts yoh if you have any complaints. Overtime was given but they struggled to pay us and constantly messed up our hours on our checks. Terrible communication, leadership and everything that’s needed to run a successful business. Also there’s no benefits because (in the words of the field supervisor) ,”No one has stayed long enough to claim them”.

Work-life balance
Work-life balance at American Guard Services is exceptional. I am pleased with working 2nd shift but prefer the morning shift. My life balance its self out and I am pleased at the moment

Pay & benefits
My pay and benefits at American Guard Services are fair but can be better but for right now I will expect the pay rate. I also appreciate getting paid every week instead of by weelky

Job security and advancement
In terms of job security at American Guard Services, I think this company has potential and will grow into a well known company that hire staff that will get the job done.

Management
In general, managers at American Guard Services are very outgoing and understanding. I personally have no problem with management and im glad to be apart of the team. We all work together as 1 to provide professional work ethics.

Culture
Collaboration with my colleagues at American Guard Services is outstanding. I get alone with each and everyone of my colleagues. We all work together and make sure American Guard Services is represented well.

Overall
My experience working at American Guard Services is exceptional and I will continue to grow with them and hopefully step to a higher position

AGS is a national company, but I can only speak for the Office/Region where I worked.  

For this line of work Cape Canaveral AGS is very good, if you are a mature, honest individual the people in the office treat you great, work with you to set up a schedule that works for you, and they make sure the training, paystubs, whatever you require related to work is available to you.

They don't jerk you around, they don't put you on shifts or add hours to your schedule you didn't request or are unable to work.  They constantly send updates via emails on positions and hours that come available, in a pinch they will call and ask if you can work a shift, they don't demand you work it.  Basically, many of the faults and hardships other security companies often impose on their employees do not occur here.

As for health benefits or paid time off, I can not attest to that as I have never explored these options with AGS.  But I am sure those who have worked there long enough, or have been hired to positions of management/leads, have that available to them, just don't expect such things if you are a new Security Officer hire.

What is the best part of working at the company?
There was always overtime, the crew I was with was great to work with, and the site I worked had allot of friendly and diverse people to be around.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The Fresno Management staff at the time were unprofessional, let their egos get involved in everything, doesn’t follow company guidelines and site post orders, think they know everything, and will retaliate against employees that report them. 
HR uses a third party company to funnel all the complaints or reports. Sometimes the major complaints won’t go to the actual HR department for the company.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
It was great until the retaliation started and HR didn’t reach back to me. 

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Assisted the screening team, posted at a desk with Fresno Police on site and check cameras, supervised the security staff, relieved the screening staff, work on the X-ray machine and metal detectors, pat downs for prohibited items, and write hourly reports.

Don't waste your time. Corporate Managers (namely the Regional) have no idea what goes on outside their bubble. Guards are paid minimal rate in local Bay Area CA which leads to bad work environment. 
As a Manager you are over worked and EXTREMELY UNDERPAID. You will be expected to take and receive calls 24/7 365 on company issued cell phone and the calls literally come at all times of the day. You will NEVER have a day off and work/life balance will be none existent for the lowest pay in Bay Area! -YES WEEKEND AND HOLIDAYS INCLUDED!
- When interviewing for Bay Area jobs, just look at how small the office is, and remember this company is national, but yet they continue to operate out of a tiny office in San Leandro. Shows how much they really care for the business in the area. 
- IF you work for them you'll probably end up having to go to the labor board for some reason or another, EVEN AS A SALARIED employee!

Stay clear, find one of the many other Security Companies in the Bay Area that actually pay their employees their worth.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Security officer 171 salaries reported	$19.04 per hour
Armed security officer 70 salaries reported	$23.66 per hour
Security guard 19 salaries reported	$18.95 per hour
Field supervisor 23 salaries reported	$21.51 per hour
Shift leader 2 salaries reported	$22.00 per hour

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