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Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

Protective Service (33-9099)

Implement procedures and systems to prevent merchandise loss. Conduct audits and investigations of employee activity. May assist in developing policies, procedures, and systems for safeguarding assets.

At a Glance

Retail Loss Prevention Specialists earns a median of $41,600/yr with +2.5% projected growth. Typical entry: High school diploma or equivalent. Top skills: Public Safety and Security, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Office software.

Median Annual Wage

$41,600/yr

Projected Growth (2024-34)

+2.5%

Annual Openings

23

Typical Education

High school diploma or equivalent

Skills & Requirements

Skills (8)

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

3.8
Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

3.5
Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

3.5
Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

3.5
Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

3.4
Social Perceptiveness

Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

3.4
Active Learning

Understanding the implications of new information for both current and future problem-solving and decision-making.

3.3
Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

3.3

Knowledge (8)

Public Safety and Security

Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

4.7
English Language

Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, and rules of composition and grammar.

4.1
Law and Government

Knowledge of laws, legal codes, court procedures, precedents, government regulations, executive orders, agency rules, and the democratic political process.

4.0
Customer and Personal Service

Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.

3.7
Education and Training

Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.

3.7
Administration and Management

Knowledge of business and management principles involved in strategic planning, resource allocation, human resources modeling, leadership technique, production methods, and coordination of people and resources.

3.6
Computers and Electronics

Knowledge of circuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.

3.5
Personnel and Human Resources

Knowledge of principles and procedures for personnel recruitment, selection, training, compensation and benefits, labor relations and negotiation, and personnel information systems.

3.3

Abilities (13)

Oral Comprehension

The ability to listen to and understand information and ideas presented through spoken words and sentences.

4.0
Problem Sensitivity

The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

4.0
Oral Expression

The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.

3.8
Deductive Reasoning

The ability to apply general rules to specific problems to produce answers that make sense.

3.8
Inductive Reasoning

The ability to combine pieces of information to form general rules or conclusions (includes finding a relationship among seemingly unrelated events).

3.6
Speech Recognition

The ability to identify and understand the speech of another person.

3.6
Written Comprehension

The ability to read and understand information and ideas presented in writing.

3.5
Speech Clarity

The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

3.5
Near Vision

The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

3.4
Selective Attention

The ability to concentrate on a task over a period of time without being distracted.

3.4
Flexibility of Closure

The ability to identify or detect a known pattern (a figure, object, word, or sound) that is hidden in other distracting material.

3.3
Information Ordering

The ability to arrange things or actions in a certain order or pattern according to a specific rule or set of rules (e.g., patterns of numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).

3.3
Far Vision

The ability to see details at a distance.

3.3

Technology (8)

Microsoft Access

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Office software

Category: Office suite software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft PowerPoint

Category: Presentation software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Outlook

Category: Electronic mail software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Structured query language SQL

Category: Data base user interface and query software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Excel

Category: Spreadsheet software | Hot Technology | In Demand

4.5
Microsoft Word

Category: Word processing software | Hot Technology

4.5
Microsoft Windows

Category: Operating system software | Hot Technology

4.5

Work Activities (26)

Processing Information

Compiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or verifying information or data.

4.4
Getting Information

Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

4.4
Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events

Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

4.4
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.

4.4
Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards

Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.

4.3
Documenting/Recording Information

Entering, transcribing, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

4.3
Making Decisions and Solving Problems

Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.

4.2
Analyzing Data or Information

Identifying the underlying principles, reasons, or facts of information by breaking down information or data into separate parts.

4.2
Organizing, Planning, and Prioritizing Work

Developing specific goals and plans to prioritize, organize, and accomplish your work.

4.1
Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings

Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

4.1
Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge

Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.

4.0
Working with Computers

Using computers and computer systems (including hardware and software) to program, write software, set up functions, enter data, or process information.

3.9
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships

Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.

3.9
Training and Teaching Others

Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

3.7
Judging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or People

Assessing the value, importance, or quality of things or people.

3.6
Resolving Conflicts and Negotiating with Others

Handling complaints, settling disputes, and resolving grievances and conflicts, or otherwise negotiating with others.

3.6
Developing and Building Teams

Encouraging and building mutual trust, respect, and cooperation among team members.

3.6
Guiding, Directing, and Motivating Subordinates

Providing guidance and direction to subordinates, including setting performance standards and monitoring performance.

3.6
Performing Administrative Activities

Performing day-to-day administrative tasks such as maintaining information files and processing paperwork.

3.6
Scheduling Work and Activities

Scheduling events, programs, and activities, as well as the work of others.

3.5
Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials

Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

3.5
Coaching and Developing Others

Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.

3.4
Developing Objectives and Strategies

Establishing long-range objectives and specifying the strategies and actions to achieve them.

3.4
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others

Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.

3.3
Assisting and Caring for Others

Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.

3.3
Thinking Creatively

Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.

3.3

Work Styles (2)

Dependability

A tendency to be reliable, responsible, and consistent in meeting work-related obligations.

4.3
Attention to Detail

A tendency to be detail-oriented, organized, and thorough in completing work.

3.6

Careers with Overlapping Skills

These occupations share the most skills. A career transition between them means many of your skills transfer directly.

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