Executive Protection Field Specialist - Prior Law Enforcement Preferred

Gavin de Becker & Associates; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 185,000 - 225,000; Full time

Job summary

Gavin de Becker & Associates in Palo Alto, CA is hiring a Protector for a full-time hourly role with first-year earnings between $185,000 and $225,000. The position focuses on safety and security for high‑profile clients.

You will conduct threat assessment, advance planning, close protection, crisis management, secure transport, and liaison with authorities to ensure seamless operations across residences and events. A background in law enforcement and/or SOF is highly valued.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10+ years in full-time certified law enforcement positions (federal, state, or local).
• LEOSA (HR-218) or CA CCW eligibility is ideal.
• 10+ years of close protection for high-net-worth or at-risk clients across residential, corporate, tech, or PSD settings.
• 10+ years of special operations (SOF) military experience; CIA GRS desirable.

Responsibilities

• Threat and risk assessment to identify vulnerabilities and mitigation strategies.
• Advance planning including reconnaissance, secure travel routes, and emergency planning.
• Provide close protection and immediate defense for clients during travel and events.
• Crisis management with rapid decisions during emergencies, including medical or security incidents.
• Arrange and provide secure transportation, including defensive and evasive driving.
• Coordinate with law enforcement, authorities, and venue staff for secure operations.
• Surveillance and counter-surveillance to deter threats.
• Monitor residential protection using command center tech, screen access points.

Skills

Threat assessment

Advance planning

Close protection

Crisis management

Secure transportation

Liaison with authorities

Surveillance

Residential protection

Job description

Mission: The Safety, Privacy, and Wellbeing of our Clients

This is a full-time hourly position with first-year earnings ranging from $185,000 to $225,000.

To learn more about earnings, promotions, benefits, and more – visit GDBA.com/careers.

Your Role As a Protector

• Threat and risk assessment: Continuously evaluating potential threats and vulnerabilities to develop mitigation strategies.
• Advance planning: Conducting reconnaissance of locations, planning secure travel routes, and preparing emergency plans before the client arrives.
• Close protection: Providing a physical security presence and immediate defense for the client during travel and events.
• Crisis management: Making rapid, decisive actions during emergencies, including medical incidents, security breaches, or hostile situations.
• Secure transportation: Arranging and providing secure transport, which includes defensive and evasive driving.
• Liaison: Coordinating with law enforcement, local authorities, and venue staff to ensure a seamless and secure operation.
• Surveillance: Performing surveillance detection and counter-surveillance to identify and deter threats.
• Residential protection: Monitor the property through command center technology, screening visitors and vendors, and controlling all access points to the protected site.

Who You Are

GDBA’s ideal candidate for a this position possesses one or more of the following:

• 10+ years working in a full-time certified law enforcement officer position(s). Federal, State, and Local level officers are all encouraged to apply.
• HR-218 (LEOSA) or CA CCW eligibility is ideal.
• 10+ years of experience conducting close protection/executive protection operations for high-net-worth clients/at-risk clients. Experience working in one of or a combination of the following environments is preferred: Residential, Corporate, Technology, or Military/Law Enforcement Protective Services Details (PSD).
• 10+ years of Special Operations (SOF) military experience – All Branches Welcome to Apply. Unique experiences such as CIA Global Response Staff (GRS) are also highly desirable.

Hiring Process Requirements

• 12-Day Introductory Essential Protector Skills (EPS) Training Academy in San Antonio, TX
• Be able to pass physical readiness test (Pull-ups, Push-ups, Sit-ups, 800m run)
• Must be able to swim
• Must be drug and nicotine free
• Background check required
• Must be able to obtain appropriate state firearm and security licensing