Watch Commander

Watch Commander
Location: Spartanburg County SC
Type: Direct Hire
Schedule: Full-Time On-Site Rotating 24/7/365 Coverage

The Position

Our client is seeking an experienced Watch Commander to serve as the senior on-shift authority for a mission-critical security and operations watch floor supporting a high-availability infrastructure campus in Spartanburg County SC.

This individual will hold real-time operational command during the assigned shift maintaining continuous situational awareness across physical security life-safety facility conditions access control power generation status and sensitive computing environments. The Watch Commander will direct on-shift personnel manage incidents execute emergency procedures and serve as the first-line Incident Commander until relieved by senior leadership.

This role is a key component of the organizations evolving Enterprise Operations Centre model and requires a disciplined leader who can operate effectively in a high-pressure 24/7 critical infrastructure environment.

Key Responsibilities

Watch Floor Command & Shift Leadership

• Serve as the senior on-shift authority with responsibility for real-time command of the security and operations watch floor.
• Maintain continuous situational awareness across security systems personnel activity facility conditions and operational events.
• Direct and supervise security officers console operators and response personnel ensuring required posts and functions remain fully staffed.
• Conduct formal shift briefings and documented handovers covering active incidents system status ongoing work threats and outstanding actions.
• Perform floor checks post inspections patrol verifications and operational readiness reviews throughout the shift.
• Lead coach and develop on-shift personnel while maintaining high standards of professionalism discipline and response readiness.

Incident Command & Crisis Response

• Act as the initial Incident Commander for security safety emergency or operational events occurring during the shift.
• Execute established Crisis Response Frameworks Incident Action Plans emergency procedures and SOPs under ICS/NIMS principles.
• Initiate escalation protocols leadership notifications cascade lists and external agency coordination as required.
• Coordinate the initial reception and integration of law enforcement fire EMS HAZMAT and other emergency responders.
• Develop maintain and improve incident response procedures emergency action plans and site-specific operational playbooks.
• Ensure incident decisions notifications actions and outcomes are accurately documented in operational and incident management systems.

Security & Critical Infrastructure Operations

• Monitor and respond to alarms and events across access control CCTV intrusion detection fire/life-safety power generation and data center environmental systems.
• Enforce strict access control requirements for sensitive and restricted areas including authorization verification and escorted access.
• Maintain accurate audit-ready records of entries incidents system activity and security events.
• Coordinate closely with data center operations engineering facilities and infrastructure teams to ensure activities are aligned and operational conflicts are minimized.
• Supervise contractors and vendors working during the shift confirming access authorization safety requirements inductions and compliance with site procedures.

Safety Readiness & Compliance

• Maintain awareness of environmental health and safety conditions across the campus and enforce safe work practices.
• Support permit-to-work requirements EHS procedures and site safety controls during the assigned shift.
• Conduct and reinforce emergency drills response exercises and scenario-based training to maintain team readiness.
• Ensure shift activities comply with security policies standard operating procedures access controls emergency plans and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Maintain all required South Carolina armed security credentials including applicable SLED registration licensing training and certification requirements.
• Support Executive Protection and security assignments on a temporary-duty basis when required including potential travel.

Required Qualifications

• 7 years of progressive experience in security operations law enforcement military operations emergency services command center operations or another mission-critical environment.
• Demonstrated supervisory watch commander shift lead or command responsibility within a 24/7 operational setting.
• Experience working in a security operations center command post dispatch center watch floor emergency operations center or similar environment.
• ICS/NIMS training including ICS-100 ICS-200 and ICS-700. ICS-300 strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to assume incident command and make sound decisions during time-sensitive high-pressure events.
• Strong knowledge of physical security technologies including access control CCTV intrusion detection alarm monitoring and incident management systems.
• Strong written communication and documentation skills including incident reporting shift logs and formal handovers.
• Ability to work rotating shifts including nights weekends holidays and other non-standard hours.
• Ability to respond to operational requirements on short notice.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience within data centers utilities energy critical infrastructure industrial operations or other high-availability environments.
• Familiarity with HAZMAT response EHS requirements permit-to-work systems and process safety practices.
• Experience with PSIM platforms or integrated command-and-control technologies.
• Exposure to data center physical security frameworks SOC 2 ISO 27001 physical controls or NERC CIP environments.
• Associates or Bachelors degree in Criminal Justice Emergency Management Security Management or a related discipline.
• Professional certification such as ASIS CPP PSP or equivalent.
• Military law enforcement fire service emergency management or command-center leadership background strongly valued.

Additional Requirements

• Must successfully complete required background checks reference checks and pre-employment screening.
• Active or clearable security clearance status may be required depending on assignment.
• Must maintain eligibility to perform armed security responsibilities under applicable South Carolina requirements.
• Full-time on-site rotating schedule supporting continuous 24/7/365 operations.
• Shift differential pay applies for qualifying schedules.