security officer

security guard

armed security officer

armed guard

security specialist

Nighthawk Security Company LLC

To put it concisely: this isn’t a bad job to have, but Nighthawk (in my observation) expects a lot from its security guards and offers little in return. I think it would serve best as a part-time or temporary job, not ideally-suited as a permanent full-time position. The pay is typically fair for the work you do, and some sites will pay more than others, but the benefits are extremely limited.

A more detailed explanation—


Pros:

The hiring process is fast, requiring a drive to their office in Owensboro for an interview and to sign paperwork. (There is also a urine drug test.) They don’t require any prior experience or college-level education, so assuming one has a clean background check, it is easy to start work with Nighthawk.

The job itself is easy, not requiring a much exertion. You’re placed at different sites as needed, and some will require more mental energy than others in order to learn the procedures and policies. Many positions, especially night shifts, include a fair amount of downtime.

The pay isn’t horrible. It differs by site, and most don’t pay much (think $12-14 per hour), but as I said, it’s not usually difficult work. They also offer 1.5x pay for overtime and holidays, and training at sites is paid.

The schedulers understand that you have a life outside of work. When they ask if you can cover an extra shift, or change your schedule for the week to fill a gap, they respond well when told that you are unable to work those days or hours (although they do require notice if you wish to change your regular schedule).


Cons:

The benefits are abysmal. You’re time off is limited to 5 requests per year, 5 days per request, and none of it is paid. They offer health insurance for employees and their families, but the plans they have are pretty expensive and not good for much.

Even though they can take “no” for an answer, employees are expected to be reachable at all times (they even told us when we were hired that we must have a voicemail box set up and inform them if we won’t be reachable for more than a couple of hours, which is neither feasible nor enforced). In one instance, I was on a date and did not answer my phone when they called to ask if I could cover a shift the next morning. I was called seven times within five minutes, and then my fiancée—who was my emergency contact—was called as well. (I include this anecdote because I found it to be unprofessional conduct, and because I have heard of other coworkers having similar experiences).

The slower shifts can get extremely boring, so I would recommend caution to people who can’t keep themselves entertained. The sites I’ve worked do allow you to use your phone, surf the web, read, etc. as long as it doesn’t interfere with your duties, but I can’t verify this is the case at all sites.

When hired, we had to pay $370 out of our first two paychecks to “rent” our uniforms, only half of which is returned upon leaving the company, assuming the uniform is returned within 48 hours of resignation. The other half is kept by Nighthawk. They will take care of issues regarding cleaning and fixing the uniforms, but as far as I can discern, it doesn’t warrant such an exorbitant fee. They do have strict standards regarding professional appearance, and do spot checks on employees to verify that the appearance policy is met.

I've been with Nighthawk Security for the past 12 years. When hired, I had never worked security before. During orientation, I was told that professionalism was my number one priority, that when I was on the client's sight that my dress, manner and attitude would reflect on Nighthawk Security itself. This made it easier. I was told that each client had different policies, duties and procedures, but no matter how much each varied, the security guard's approach to the job was constant. Be professional.
Nighthawk Security is strict when the issue of grooming and dress is concerned. These guidelines are clear and specific on what is expected and also what is not acceptable. Everything always comes back to professionalism.
I'm retired, and I don't want to work 40 hours a week. They are very flexible with hours and shifts. If you are the sort of person who likes to work independently, you could well find yourself in a large building in the evening or weekend with a skeleton staff or none at all performing your duties. Others prefer working with other guards and being in a busy work environment. The company will try to place you where you are most effective.
In the years I've been with Nighthawk Security, I have received the occasional call on my day off asking if I could fill in for a guard who has called off. My answer could either be yes or if it wasn't convenient or if I just didn't want to do it I would say no. Never was I pressured to work on a day off.
To me, it's just a good and reliable place to work. My sight closed during the pandemic, and I was placed elsewhere for the duration. If you are willing to work, be punctual and professional then there is a sight for you. For the past ten years, I've been in a very public setting. From time to time, a patron will approach me and ask about the job. I'm honest and tell them it's not for everyone; that you have to be willing to be trained at more than one sight, that the hair you are currently wearing will have to be trimmed, but mostly I tell them that you just have to be willing to show up an show up on time.


Never in my experience have I worked for a more veteran unfriendly and unprofessional company. I wouldn't want my worst enemy to work here.

Lets start off with the blatant absurdities:

1. Paying 370 dollars for uniforms of extremely low quality, plus shipping upon termination of employment. In my experience uniforms have always been provided at no cost to an employee, except by Nighthawk LLC

2. No vacation time whatsoever. Unless by some miracle you are working on a contract for the government that would provide a vacation, you'll never see nor have one.

3. Unprofessional (Mis)Management. I cant speak for anyone whom works around the Owensboro area, but working on the other side of the state  has shown me the extreme decentralization of this company, be that through the revolving door of schedulers, or the non existent managers. Its often up to the line supervisors to fix any and all problems. 

Typical Workday:

I'd typically go in around 1430 (230pm) for a start time of 1500(3pm) because of Nighthawk's policy of being 15 minutes early or being docked a quarter hour's pay. After which I'd do what any other security guard does, and a lot more, for not a lot of pay (Comparatively). At least 4 months out of six that I worked for nighthawk I'd have some problem with the provided uniforms, rips, tears, too long, too short. Eventually I went out of pocket and bought a pair of tactical pants, which goes against the uniform policy that's only enforced when somebody feels like it.  Complaints are not taken seriously by any party except again the line supervisors whom are limited in the capacity of things they can do. 

All in all, it was a typical security experience with atypical management.

I was just looking for a second job to fill in my free time and make some extra money. They promised “flexible scheduling,” but it didn’t really work out. I would give my availability over a week in advance generally, and was almost never emailed a schedule. Instead, I was frequently called less than an hour before a shift started with the expectatancy that I could make it in time shaved (the site a half hour away, never mind if I wasn’t even home). They also took out an astonishing amount of money from my paychecks to pay for a uniform that I did not even keep as my own. I later found out that they were charging me for a second uniform I never received or requested. I was told there was some refund I’m supposed to get for putting in a two week notice, but I’m not getting my hopes up for that. 

I do think the company is overall a good place to work if you’re in a place where you need work right now and are out of options. They seem willing to throw you into full time with overtime immediately, and the pay is decent enough after the uniform fees are paid and considering how easy the actual work is. But I would not recommend this job for someone looking for part-time or as a second job.

the job was not demanding, you are not allowed to look at your cell phone. the company will call you to have you take a full length picture of yourself. the company will call you to stay longer or see if you are willing to be on standby for the weekend but you will not be paid to hang around town. the training is quick and with shortcuts. they want you to think they are a elite company but you will soon have your doubts. you will pay them $300 for a mostly used uniform that they want to fit you big so you don't split your pants. you will have to sign legal paperwork in training that gives the company a upper hand against you if certain things happen. you will be on a demerit points system that can be intimidating. the company does not trust the guards and they are watching you all the time. there is a high turnover for good reason. i doubt that the very positive are genuine or real. if anyone at your site complains about you even if it is not warranted you will get a called very soon by the director of operations. you will be considered guilty and you will be talked down to for sure. they pretend it is like the army. i don't say that you should not work for them but i tell you that this is not a normal company. 

What is the best part of working at the company?
The absolute worst company that I ever worked for. They charge you $300 dollars out if your first 2 paychecks for a single uniform and then only want to refund you $150 when you quit.
The reason that you’ll quit is because they hire you for shifts that they don’t have available and then expect you to work shifts that you told them you weren’t available for before they hired you.
Totally unprofessional in every way.
Do yourself a favor and seek employment elsewhere.

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
When you successfully quit and find another job.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
Terrible. People quit and don’t show up for their shifts which you then have to work because the office won’t send anyone to relieve you.
Later, you’ll have the pleasure of arguing with the office over your pay when you find out that you weren’t paid for working those extra hours.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Dealing with the clients at the job site was okay.
Dealing with the Nighthawk office was terrible.

What is the best part of working at the company?
Going home pay time off and not being at work

What is the most stressful part about working at the company?
The entire job it’s essentially nonstop. You don’t get a break you don’t get a lunch if you have about these you get reprimanded additionally stress environment, all day every day.

What is the work environment and culture like at the company?
there’s no communication in between management when you try to ask for help they disregard you. If you do anything wrong, they wanna talk to you, but it’s a one-way communication. The current environment is not conducive to anyone that has a mono of mental problems if you don’t have any, you will have some whenever you leave.

What is a typical day like for you at the company?
Processing hundreds of trucks with sometimes belligerent truck drivers sometimes with truck drivers who cannot speak English do not understand correct information that you were given them. Additionally, you have many other people asking for your help about things that you cannot control and are beyond your ability as a security guard.

This company is the worst I have ever worked for. I have been disciplined for things that made absolutely no sense and had my job threatened and been threatened with having my pay cut to minimum wage. I would love to go into specifics but cant because if they found out who i am I would be fired for this review. 

There are no benefits. You will never get vacation time or sick days or anything like that. They are required by law to give you health insurance which they get around by offering you insurance that is so awful you wont take it which saves them the added cost of paying for your insurance. A family plan costs $1,800 per month. 

You will have to take pictures of yourself to send to them regularly and then get in trouble no matter how good your uniform looks so just be ready for that. 

if you leave without a 2 weeks notice they will retroactively pay you minimum wage for the hours you worked. If you are fired it is the same thing. Your pay will be cut to minimum wage for the hours you worked. 

If you have the opportunity to work for these guys consider literally anything else. 

I love the job I do for the company I meet a lot of good people that drive for a living in my job I mostly check trucks in and out all day....
The upper management does not communicate well with the supervisor or employees. And they don't listen to their employees. 

 The supervisor does not communicate well with the new daily changes of the job,  she doesn't get things fixed like they need to be inside in a timely manner. overall I am satisfied with my job outside of not getting any benefits or the recognition I deserve and now with all the new stuff that we have to do they have implemented in the last month I should be making $20 an hour not only 15.50  also there is a lot of drama that is uncalled for going  on within the company. and we should at least get paid for a week or two of vacation... We can take off if we schedule it but we don't get paid for it! 😞

When you apply, they'll call you relentlessly and ask a million times if you can pass a drug test. They test for EVERYTHING. 

Basically, just do what you're supposed to do and lay low. They'll encourage you to snitch on your coworkers. You'll have uniform inspections like every month. If you volunteer to be a backup, you'll probably get overtime...decide if it's worth it to you, otherwise they won't stop calling you at all hours. If you work nights, they'll occasionally call you during the day when you're sleeping. I encourage you to schedule your phone for "do not disturb" within a half hour of leaving your site when you get off work. 

Some sites won't have indoor bathrooms, only porta-potties that don't get serviced nearly enough. 

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