Executive Protection Field Specialist - Prior Law Enforcement Palo Alto, CA

Executive Protection Field Specialist - Prior Law Enforcement Preferred

Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA) protects the world’s most influential and at-risk public figures. Founded in 1978 by 3‑time Presidential appointee, Gavin de Becker, our firm’s Protectors, Analysts, and Investigators are committed to our mission of protecting human life through the assessment, prediction, and management of violence.

GDBA’s Mission:
The Safety, Privacy, and Wellbeing of our Clients

Protectors for this role will earn no less than $150k in their first year with GDBA.

This is a full‑time position with benefits, including:
Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, and 401(k).

• 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: Monitoring the property through command‑center technology, screening visitors and vendors, and controlling all access points to the protected site.

GDBA’s ideal candidate for 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 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 (GRU) are also highly desirable.

• 12‑Day Introductory Essential Protector Skills (EPS) Training Academy
• Professional Leadership Track (PLT) – 2‑year on‑the‑job executive protection training curriculum that prepares Protectors for future leadership positions at GDBA:
  • 500 hours of training, mentoring, instructing, and certification
  • 4 additional advanced executive protection/leadership training academies
• Protectors must be drug and nicotine free
• Able to pass a pre‑employment background investigation
• Must be able to swim

• Gym, Ammunition, and Cellphone reimbursements
• Exceptional 401(k) with Automatic $3k Employer Contribution and 10% of every Associate‑Contributed Dollar matched by GDBA
• Free vacations each year for 200 qualified Protectors
• Up to $2,500 stipend for CCW Licenses
• Up to $1,000 stipend for Special Certifications (EMT, Lifeguard, NRA, Pilot, Maritime)

• $15,000 employer contribution for first‑year associates
• $3,000 employer contribution each year thereafter
• 10% no‑limit matching for all associates who choose to contribute to their retirement plan

Visit our Earnings and Benefits Page to learn more about benefits, stipends, additional overtime opportunities, bonuses, travel pay, and more:

Learn more about our organization by visiting our website, following GDBA on social media, or connecting with us on Linked In.