Armed Security Officer Tampa Bay Area
Company: Keystone Defense Industries LLC
Location: Tampa Bay Area, Florida
Employment Type: Full-Time / Part-Time
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026
Schedule: Days / Mid / Night Shifts
Position Summary
Keystone Defense Industries LLC is accepting applications from qualified Armed Security Officers for an anticipated security assignment beginning September 1, 2026.
KDI is a licensed and insured Florida security agency serving the Tampa Bay region. We provide professional armed and unarmed security services built around disciplined personnel, clear post instructions, lawful conduct, accurate documentation, and responsive management.
The Armed Security Officer will provide a professional and visible security presence while protecting people, property, assets, and business operations. The officer must demonstrate sound judgment, restraint, situational awareness, dependable attendance, and the ability to communicate professionally with clients, employees, visitors, vendors, members of the public, and first responders.
This is not a law-enforcement position. Officers must operate strictly within Florida law, KDI policy, client-authorized duties, and assignment-specific post orders.
Important Assignment Notice:
This position is being recruited for an anticipated client assignment scheduled to begin on or around September 1, 2026.
Employment, assignment location, schedule, available hours, and start date are contingent upon final contract activation, client requirements, successful completion of KDI’s screening and onboarding process, verification of required licenses and qualifications, and available staffing needs.
Submission of an application does not guarantee an interview, offer of employment, assignment, minimum number of hours, or specific work location.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
The Armed Security Officer may be responsible for the following duties, depending on the assignment:
- Maintain a professional, alert, and visible armed security presence.
- Protect client personnel, visitors, property, facilities, equipment, inventory, and other designated assets.
- Monitor entrances, exits, parking areas, common areas, restricted locations, and other assigned areas.
- Conduct authorized interior and exterior patrols according to written post orders.
- Inspect doors, gates, access points, perimeter areas, lighting conditions, and other security-related conditions.
- Control or monitor access by employees, visitors, vendors, contractors, delivery personnel, and other authorized individuals.
- Verify identification, credentials, visitor authorization, or delivery information when required by the assignment.
- Observe and identify suspicious, unsafe, unauthorized, or unusual activity.
- Respond promptly and professionally to alarms, disturbances, emergencies, safety concerns, and client requests.
- Use verbal communication, professional presence, and de-escalation techniques to manage potentially confrontational situations.
- Follow KDI’s notification, emergency-response, and incident-escalation procedures.
- Contact law enforcement, fire-rescue, emergency medical services, KDI management, or designated client representatives when required.
- Support first-responder access and scene preservation when appropriate.
- Enforce client rules and property procedures within the officer’s lawful and authorized scope.
- Complete accurate daily activity reports, patrol logs, incident reports, and other required documentation.
- Immediately report significant incidents, safety hazards, equipment problems, or post-order violations.
- Maintain professional radio, telephone, and written communication throughout the shift.
- Receive and provide complete shift-turnover information.
- Maintain confidentiality regarding client operations, incidents, personnel, access procedures, and protected information.
- Carry and handle only authorized firearms and duty equipment in accordance with Florida law, current licensing, KDI policy, and assignment-specific requirements.
- Exercise disciplined restraint and never exceed legal authority, client authorization, written post orders, or company policy.
- Perform other security-related functions that are consistent with the assignment and communicated through KDI management or written post orders.
Required Qualifications
Applicants must meet all of the following requirements before beginning an armed assignment:
- Current and valid Florida Class “D” Security Officer License.
- Current and valid Florida Class “G” Statewide Firearm License.
- Current annual Class G firearms requalification documentation.
- Licenses must be active, in good standing, and remain valid throughout the assignment.
- Legal authorization to work in the United States.
- Reliable transportation to and from the assigned work location.
- Ability to report to work on time, in the prescribed uniform, properly equipped, and prepared to assume the post.
- Ability to read, understand, and follow written post orders, emergency procedures, and client instructions.
- Ability to communicate clearly and professionally in person, by telephone or radio, and in writing.
- Ability to prepare accurate, complete, and timely security reports.
- Ability to remain calm, observant, and professional during emergencies or confrontational situations.
- Ability to exercise sound judgment and maintain appropriate control of an authorized firearm.
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive client information responsibly.
- Availability to work the advertised schedule, which may include nights, weekends, holidays, or extended shifts.
- Ability to successfully complete KDI’s license verification, employment screening, orientation, post-order training, and any lawful client-specific onboarding requirements.
Preferred Qualifications
The following qualifications are preferred but may not be required for every assignment:
- At least one year of armed security experience.
- Previous experience protecting commercial properties, construction sites, residential communities, retail properties, vehicle lots, warehouses, or similar environments.
- Previous military, law-enforcement, corrections, loss-prevention, emergency-response, or public-safety experience.
- Current CPR, AED, or First Aid certification.
- Experience with access control, patrol procedures, incident reporting, surveillance systems, or emergency communications.
- Strong customer-service and conflict-management skills.
- Experience working independently with limited direct supervision.
Prior military or law-enforcement experience does not replace the requirement to possess current Florida Class D and Class G licenses.
Physical and Working Conditions
The essential functions of this position may include:
- Standing, walking, observing, or remaining at an assigned post for extended periods.
- Conducting repeated foot patrols over indoor and outdoor areas.
- Walking on pavement, stairs, parking areas, uneven surfaces, or other property conditions.
- Working indoors or outdoors during daytime, nighttime, and varying weather conditions.
- Remaining alert during periods of limited activity.
- Communicating effectively during routine and emergency situations.
- Responding promptly and safely to incidents occurring within the assigned area.
- Operating authorized communications, access-control, reporting, and security equipment.
Qualified individuals must be able to perform the essential functions of the position with or without reasonable accommodation.
Professional Standards
KDI Armed Security Officers are expected to demonstrate:
- Reliable attendance and punctuality.
- Professional appearance and grooming.
- Honest and accurate communication.
- Sound judgment and disciplined restraint.
- Respectful treatment of clients, coworkers, visitors, and members of the public.
- Careful compliance with post orders and chain-of-command requirements.
- Useful and accurate report writing.
- Proper care of licenses, uniforms, firearms, equipment, and client property.
- Immediate reporting of incidents, mistakes, hazards, or changes affecting the assignment.
- A client-service mindset without compromising safety, legality, or professional boundaries.
About Keystone Defense Industries
Keystone Defense Industries LLC is a Florida-licensed, insured, and veteran-led security agency serving Tampa Bay and surrounding Florida communities.
KDI provides armed and unarmed security services for commercial properties, construction sites, shopping centers, residential communities, vehicle dealerships, events, and other client environments. Our operating standards emphasize prepared personnel, clear post orders, lawful conduct, accurate reporting, professional communication, and direct management accountability.
Florida Class B Security Agency License: B 3600167
How to Apply
Applicants should submit the following information to https://keystonedefenseindustries.org/
- A current résumé.
- Current city of residence.
- Telephone number and email address.
- Florida Class D license expiration date.
- Florida Class G license expiration date.
- Date of most recent annual firearms requalification.
- Relevant security experience.
- Current availability, including nights, weekends, and holidays.
- Earliest available start date.
KDI will request copies of licenses and supporting documents through the appropriate verification or onboarding process.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Keystone Defense Industries LLC is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on job-related qualifications, assignment requirements, professional conduct, availability, and business needs without unlawful discrimination based on any status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
Reasonable accommodations are available to qualified applicants and employees as required by applicable law.
Why Work for Keystone Defense Industries?
At Keystone Defense Industries, officers are not treated as interchangeable names on a schedule. KDI is being built around a people-first leadership philosophy: take care of the officers, give them the tools and preparation to succeed, and hold everyone including company leadership to a professional standard.
Leadership That Puts Officers First
KDI leadership believes that officers who are respected, supported, properly equipped, and prepared will provide better service to clients.
Company leadership is committed to being accessible and responsive. Officers will have a direct path to management when they need operational guidance, assistance with an incident, clarification of post orders, or support with an assignment concern.
KDI will never expect an officer to accept avoidable risks simply to protect company convenience or profit. Officer safety, lawful conduct, professional judgment, and proper preparation come first.
Quality Uniforms and Equipment
Security officers should not be expected to work long shifts in uncomfortable, poorly fitted, or low-quality uniforms.
KDI is committed to providing professional, comfortable, and durable uniforms appropriate for Florida working conditions and the requirements of each assignment. Whenever KDI supplies uniforms or duty equipment, the company will prioritize quality, proper fit, reliability, professional appearance, and officer comfort, not simply the lowest available cost.
The goal is for every KDI officer to arrive at the assignment looking professional, feeling prepared, and having confidence in the equipment they are authorized to use.
Training That Continues After Hiring
KDI officers are not trained once, assigned to a post, and then forgotten.
Initial orientation and assignment-specific instruction are only the beginning. KDI is committed to continuous professional development through recurring training, operational refreshers, supervisor coaching, post-order reviews, and scenario-based preparation.
Training may address subjects such as:
- Situational awareness and suspicious-activity recognition
- Professional communication and conflict de-escalation
- Access control and visitor-management procedures
- Patrol techniques and property-security observations
- Emergency response and incident escalation
- Accurate daily activity and incident reporting
- Firearm safety and lawful armed-security responsibilities
- Use-of-force decision-making and disciplined restraint
- Client service and professional conduct
- Assignment-specific risks and procedures
- Lessons learned from recent incidents, security events, and emerging risks
When a significant security incident or industry event reveals a useful lesson, KDI will evaluate it and provide relevant training or guidance to its officers. The purpose is not to create fear or unnecessary reaction. It is to help officers recognize developing situations, make better decisions, and remain prepared for the environments in which they serve.
Professional Standards With Real Support
KDI expects its officers to maintain high standards of attendance, appearance, judgment, communication, documentation, and conduct. In return, company leadership is expected to provide clear post orders, useful training, dependable communication, appropriate equipment, and reasonable operational support.
Accountability works in both directions. Officers are responsible for performing their duties professionally, and KDI leadership is responsible for giving them the direction and resources necessary to do so.
Build a Career, Not Just Fill a Post
KDI’s objective is to recruit, develop, and retain top-tier security professionals.
Officers who demonstrate reliability, sound judgment, leadership ability, strong report writing, professional conduct, and consistent client service may be considered for additional assignments, specialized responsibilities, field-training duties, supervisory opportunities, and advancement as the company grows.
KDI wants professionals who take pride in the security field and want to continue improving not individuals who simply want to occupy a post until the shift ends.
Be Part of the Standard KDI Is Building
Keystone Defense Industries is building a security company where officers are respected, properly prepared, professionally equipped, and supported by leadership that understands the responsibility of putting people in the field.
We intend to earn client trust by investing in the officers who represent us. When KDI officers arrive at an assignment, they should be recognized as disciplined, capable, well-equipped, and continuously trained security professionals.
If you take pride in your work, value ongoing professional development, and want to be part of a company that places its people at the center of its operations, KDI may be the right place for you.
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Benefits:
Work Location: In person
