What Do Retail Loss Prevention Specialists Do?

Job Description: 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.

List of Loss Prevention Specialist Job Duties

• Respond to critical incidents, such as catastrophic events, violent weather, or civil disorders.
• Apprehend shoplifters in accordance with guidelines.
• Train establishment personnel in loss prevention activities.
• Inspect buildings, equipment, or access points to determine security risks.
• Investigate known or suspected internal theft, external theft, or vendor fraud.
• Recommend methods to reduce potential financial fraud losses.

Loss Prevention Specialist Required Skills

When polled, Retail Loss Prevention Specialists say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

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

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.

Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.

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

Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others’ reactions and understanding why they react as they do.

Related Job Titles for this Occupation:

• Retail Loss Prevention Investigator
• Loss Prevention Supervisor
• Asset Protection Agent
• Asset Protection Greeter
• Loss Prevention Officer

Job Outlook for Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

In 2016, there was an estimated number of 133,800 jobs in the United States for Protective Service Workers.

New jobs are being produced at a rate of 8.4% which is lower than average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 11,300 new jobs for Retail Loss Prevention Specialists by 2026. Due to new job openings and attrition, there will be an average of 35,200 job openings in this field each year.

The states with the most job growth for Protective Service Workers are New York, Texas, and California.

Watch out if you plan on working in New Jersey, Alaska, or Vermont. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

How Much Does a Loss Prevention Specialist Make?

Protective Service Workers Make between $20,530 and $54,130 a year. The median salary for this occupation is $30,720.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for jobs of this type in different U.S. states.

Annual Mean Salary by State

State	Annual Mean Salary
District of Columbia	$54,200
Virginia	$47,960
New Mexico	$47,310
Nevada	$44,560
Oklahoma	$44,330
North Dakota	$43,740
Iowa	$43,460
Washington	$42,450
Alaska	$42,150
Oregon	$41,900
Kentucky	$40,810
Connecticut	$40,040
California	$39,840
Maryland	$39,590
Louisiana	$38,600
Missouri	$38,230
North Carolina	$37,790
Georgia	$37,390
Wyoming	$37,350
Minnesota	$36,730
Massachusetts	$36,720
Utah	$36,690
Tennessee	$36,250
New Hampshire	$36,140
Wisconsin	$35,170
Colorado	$34,770
Florida	$34,390
Hawaii	$34,170
Arizona	$33,890
West Virginia	$33,490
Idaho	$33,470
Rhode Island	$33,200
Maine	$33,160
Montana	$32,950
South Carolina	$32,040
Mississippi	$31,980
Michigan	$31,920
New Jersey	$31,730
Ohio	$31,510
New York	$31,410
Arkansas	$31,120
Pennsylvania	$29,200
Illinois	$28,800
Indiana	$27,090
Texas	$27,070
Kansas	$27,000
Delaware	$26,810
Alabama	$26,370

Tools & Technologies Used by Retail Loss Prevention Specialists

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Retail Loss Prevention Specialists:

• Microsoft Office
• Microsoft Outlook
• McAfee
• Microsoft Word
• Microsoft Excel
• Microsoft PowerPoint
• Symantec

Becoming a Loss Prevention Specialist

What education is needed to be a Retail Loss Prevention Specialist?

What work experience do I need to become a Loss Prevention Specialist?

Who Employs Retail Loss Prevention Specialists?

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics

College Factual

O*NET Online

Image Credit: Via Wikimedia Commons