Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For North Dakota

Things Aren't So Tough for Security Guards in the Roughrider State

It's cold outside as you scan the horizon. It is completely calm for as far as the eye can see as you inspect the derricks and maintain watch over the oil field. About the only thing disrupting the tranquility of the day is the occasional gust of wind, or maybe the tired field hand causing a stir. As a security guard in North Dakota, you might have a few exciting days here and there, but by and large, your days are going to be spent in peace and quiet.

The state's biggest cities are Fargo, Grand Forks, Bismarck, and Minot. A large percentage of the state's 740,000 residents live in these cities. Thus, it is not surprising that these are the places where you will find the state's largest employers, and the greatest number of opportunities to work as a security guard.

So, who are the state's biggest employers? Liberty Tax Service is the largest with 6,000 employees. They are followed by North Dakota State University in Fargo with 4,500, and another 4,100 work at Altru Health System which is based in Grand Forks. You will also find opportunities with companies such as Halliburton in Williston, LM Glasfiber in Grand Forks, and Bobcat in Bismarck. Each has over 1,000 employees. These companies have solid reputations within the state and you will find stable employment, good benefits, and friendly people to work with at each of these top tier employers.

Oil is booming in North Dakota and that means that there are plenty of positions available within the oil fields and the little towns and settlements that are springing up to bring the Texas Tea out of the Bakken Fields. While oil prices have slowed the boom in new wells and production, companies are actively protecting their fields so that when the prices drop, they can start pumping again.   

While the oil boom did cause a slight increase in crime rates, things have settled down quite a bit. If you are having visions of the Wild West and becoming the next Wyatt Earp, you are going to be disappointed. The state's crime rate is still quite a bit lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is 2.65 per thousand, and the property crime rate is 21 per thousand. While you will come across the occasional burglary or theft, the chances are that you will never see a crime even if you work in a heavily populated area. Just be careful around wood chippers if you happen to work in the Fargo area...  

The State of North Dakota requires security guards to be 18 years old, a US citizen or resident alien, and applicants must have a high school diploma or GED. Additionally, security guards can't have felony or misdemeanor convictions, and should be able to show good moral character. Applicants must be in good health and can't suffer from mental disorders that can affect their judgment or would present security risks. Security guards are not required to register for a license if they work under the supervision of a licensed private security company or under the direct supervision of a licensed patrol officer. However, if you want to hang your own shingle, you will need to apply for your own license prior to opening your doors.    

Security guards in North Dakota earn a median salary of $28,000 a year. This is higher than the national average of $24,000. With more training and experience under your belt, it is not unheard of for security guards to earn up to $45,000 a year. As such, if you are willing to put in the time and effort to hone your skills and prove yourself within the industry, you can make some real money doing a job that you truly love doing. Not only that, but you will be doing your part to drive North Dakota's already low crime rates even lower.

As a security guard, you can save quite a bit of money while living and working in North Dakota. The key is budgeting and planning because expenses for groceries, healthcare, and housing are higher than other states. These have gone up in the wake of the oil boom, however, they could drop significantly in the future as the boom slows and more housing becomes available for rent or purchase. Fortunately, utility, transportation, and other expenses still tend to be lower than other states. These balance out the higher costs to create an overall cost of living that is on par with the rest of the country.  

North Dakota is a beautiful state...but it is cold in the winter, and hot in the summer. Of all the states, it has some of the greatest temperature variances throughout the year. In the winter, you can expect plenty of snow and ice. The temperatures during the winter months hover in the teens and twenties during the day, and drop into the negative at night. July and August routinely see days in the mid-80's. The good news is that spring and fall tend to be rather temperate during the day. While nights during these seasons can get chilly, the daytime temperatures are downright comfortable.

As you might expect, the weather plays a big role in the training you will need in North Dakota. The state's eastern edge is at the end of Tornado Alley, and the state does see quite a few tornadoes in the springtime. You will also need to be able to deal with flooding in areas like Grand Forks, and Fargo. Flash floods frequently happen as the winter snows start to melt in the Red River Valley, and companies will want security guards who are skilled in handling emergency preparations and situations.

Naturally, with so much beautiful scenery to explore you are going to want to head out and explore. Theodore Roosevelt National Park features mile upon mile of wide open space to enjoy. It's a great place to go hiking, camping, or to enjoy the fabulous fishing the state is renowned for. You can also see where the wild things live when you take a stroll through the Dakota Zoo in Bismarck, or see how wild things were for the settlers who made their way through Fort Abraham Lincoln in Mandan. You can even see how the state looked when you stop by the North Dakota Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center which details their journey and the winter they spent preparing for the final legs of their journey to the Pacific.