Watch Commander

Job Description

Job Description

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 organization’s 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.
• Associate’s or Bachelor’s 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.

\nCompany Description

GTN is the leader in SOW management & technical staffing, leveraging innovation to drive next-generation recruiting to Fortune 200 companies.

Company Description

GTN is the leader in SOW management & technical staffing, leveraging innovation to drive next-generation recruiting to Fortune 200 companies.