Unarmed Security Guard Requirements For West Virginia

Standing Tall in the Mountain State of West Virginia

It's cold and chilly as you cautiously make your way into work. The winter storms have coated the roads with a layer of ice and snow that makes travel difficult. But, there's a silver lining to the bad weather; the fresh coat of snow will make it easy for you to tell if anyone has approached the perimeter fence around the building. As you settle into the warm confines of the control booth and peer into the monitors and read the reports left by the last shift, you know today is going to be an easy day because thieves don't like to go out when the thermometer drops below freezing.

West Virginia is not a particularly dangerous state. The violent crime rate is 3 per 1,000 residents. This is slightly lower than the national average of 3.8 violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Similarly, the property crime rate is also lower. In West Virginia, the rate is about 20 property crimes per 1,000 residents, as compared to the national average of 26 per 1,000 residents. As a security guard in West Virginia, you can take comfort knowing that by and large the state is not a dangerous place to live or work. As long as you stay alert and rectify potential security breaches, you will find it is easy to keep people and property safe from neer-do-wells.  

Security guards in West Virginia earn an average salary of $21,000 per year. Security guards with experience and training under their belts that move up the ladder into managerial positions can earn between $35,000 and $40,000 per year. Thus, if you are willing to put forth the effort, you will find plenty of rewards waiting for you as you advance through the career. All you have to do is keep your eyes open, your mind sharp, and your wits about you as you hone your skills and pick up new skills along the way. 

West Virginia requires security guards to register and obtain a license. Applicants need to be at least 18-years old, be a US citizen, have good moral character, and show that they are mentally competent. Applicants must have clean criminal background checks and be able to show that they have completed 18 hours of security guard training. This training must include training in the law, the role of private security guards, patrol/observation, incident response, First Aid, and reporting.  Once you complete your training and get the licensing certificate under your belt, you can start work immediately.

You can stretch your income quite a bit in West Virginia. The state is known for its low cost of living which makes it possible to carve a comfortable life for yourself anywhere in the state. Groceries, healthcare, and utilities are slightly below the national average, and transportation is slightly higher due to the fact that companies have to ship gas through mountain passes. Where you will really save is on housing which is only 65% as expensive as it is in other states. This means that you can find a place to live without any difficulty, and with some added budget tips under your belt, you can save even more on groceries, gas, and even utilities.

The state doesn't have any metropolises for you to settle into. The state's largest city is the capital of Charleston, and it has just over 50,000 residents. It's followed by Huntington with 49,000 residents, and Parkersburg, Morgantown, and Wheeling with about 30,000 residents each. This means that wherever you move in West Virginia, you will find a nice and cozy community for you to settle into.

The economy of West Virginia is evolving slowly. It used to be heavily focused on mining, however, that's changing as the state seeks new paths and directions. Currently, the state's largest employers are Wal-Mart and West Virginia United Health Systems. You will also want to take a peek at the Charleston Area Medical Center and Mylan Pharmaceuticals; both of which have operations throughout the state that are in need of solid security professionals. These are solid employers that are well worth taking a look into. All you have to decide is whether you want to work in the retail, medical, or pharmaceutical sectors. Each have strong growth potential across the nation and can give you skills to advance your career in the direction you want to take.

West Virginia is a mountainous state, and the weather is exactly what you would expect it to be. The state gets upwards of two feet of snow each winter, and it gets up to 44 inches of rain in the spring, summer, and fall. The precipitation can present hazards to navigation, and flooding and ice storms are a threat not to be ignored. As a security guard, you will need to be acutely aware of the weather and be prepared to assist should an emergency take place. In the winter, it's not uncommon for cars to slide off roads and for parking lots to become dangerous. In the summer, temperatures tend to peak at around 85 degrees in the month of July, and in the winters the temperature hovers in the mid-20's throughout December and January. The mountain state isn't terribly humid, which means that the temperature you see on the thermometer is what you can expect to feel when you step outside. However, in the winter you will want to bundle up because the blowing winds can create a significant wind chill effect that you will feel if you're not wearing layers of clothing. If you are a security guard who needs to work outside, you will most certainly want to invest in warm boots, thermal underwear, and a solid pair of gloves.    

While it gets cold in the winter, the spring, summer, and fall can be wonderful times to head out and enjoy nature. The New River Gorge Bridge is a popular place to take in the views, or you can ride into history as you take a trip on the Cass Scenic Railroad that takes you through the largely untouched West Virginia forests. You can study some history at Harpers Ferry, or kick back and relax at The Greenbrier Resort (Be sure to take a look in their "nonexistent" basement that was built to be a bunker in case of WWIII.) You may also want to check out the many rivers, lakes, and forests throughout the state where the waters are calm and the fishing and hunting are activities you will truly enjoy.