Transnet’s security professionals are the first line of defense protecting billions of rands in assets, critical infrastructure, and thousands of employees across South Africa. Whether patrolling rail yards, monitoring port access, or investigating security incidents, security careers at Transnet combine law enforcement principles with specialized knowledge of transport operations.
What is Security & Asset Protection at Transnet?
Security and asset protection involves safeguarding Transnet’s physical assets (locomotives, cargo, equipment, facilities), protecting personnel, controlling access to secure areas, preventing theft and vandalism, monitoring surveillance systems, responding to incidents, and ensuring compliance with security regulations and protocols.
Why Choose a Security Career at Transnet?
- National Importance: Protect infrastructure vital to South Africa’s economy
- Diverse Environments: Work in ports, rail depots, engineering plants, pipelines, offices
- Career Growth: Progress from security officer to specialist to manager
- Job Security: Security is always a critical function
- Skills Development: Training in security technology, investigations, risk assessment
- Competitive Pay: R10,000–R28,000/month plus benefits
- Shift Work Premiums: Additional pay for night shifts and overtime
Many security professionals start with basic PSIRA registration and grow into specialized roles through experience and additional training
Explore Other Transnet Career Paths
Don’t limit yourself! Discover more opportunities across Transnet:
→ General Worker Jobs – NO EXPERIENCE | R10,000-R15,000/month
→ Apprenticeships – PAID TRAINING | 3-4 years | R6,000-R12,000/month
→ Learnerships & Graduate Programs – FOR GRADUATES | R4,000-R10,000/month
→ Artisan & Technician – HIGH DEMAND | R18,000-R35,000/month
→ Train Driver – SPECIALIZED | R18,000-R40,000/month
→ Engineering & Project Management – PROFESSIONAL | R35,000-R80,000+/month
→ Warehouse & Inventory – HANDS-ON | R14,000-R35,000/month
→ Port Operations & Logistics – MARITIME | R15,000-R45,000/month
→ Security & Asset Protection – PSIRA REQUIRED | R10,000-R28,000/month
→ Safety, Health & Environmental – COMPLIANCE | R20,000-R50,000/month
→ Finance, HR & Corporate – OFFICE-BASED | R15,000-R70,000+/month
Every role offers: Job security | Medical aid | Provident fund | Career growth | Training
Compare All Careers → | Salary Calculator → | Apply Now →
Security & Asset Protection Positions at Transnet
1. Security Officer / Security Guard
What You’ll Do: Conduct security patrols, control access to facilities, monitor surveillance cameras, respond to alarms and incidents, conduct vehicle and personnel searches, and maintain security presence at Transnet sites.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct foot and vehicle patrols of assigned areas
- Monitor and control access points (gates, entrances)
- Check IDs and verify authorization for entry
- Conduct searches of vehicles, bags, and cargo (when authorized)
- Monitor CCTV cameras and alarm systems
- Respond to security breaches and incidents
- Report suspicious activities and security concerns
- Complete incident reports and security logs
- Enforce security policies and procedures
- Provide assistance to employees and visitors
- Coordinate with SHE officers on safety-security integration
Requirements:
- Education: Grade 10-12 (Matric)
- Certification: Valid PSIRA registration (Grade E or higher)
- Experience: 0-2 years (entry-level positions available)
- Training: Security officer training (PSIRA-accredited)
- Physical: Good health, able to stand/walk for extended periods
- Personal Attributes: Alert, responsible, good observation skills, integrity
Salary Range: R10,000–R15,000/month
Shift Work: Typically 12-hour shifts including nights, weekends, public holidays
Work Locations: All Transnet facilities—ports, rail yards, depots, offices, engineering plants
Career Path: Security Officer → Senior Security Officer → Security Supervisor → Security Manager
2. Senior Security Officer / Team Leader
What You’ll Do: Lead small security teams during shifts, coordinate security activities, conduct advanced patrols and inspections, handle complex security incidents, and provide guidance to junior officers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Lead team of 3-10 security officers during shifts
- Coordinate shift activities and patrols
- Conduct briefings and handovers between shifts
- Handle escalated incidents and emergencies
- Conduct thorough investigations of minor incidents
- Train and mentor junior security officers
- Ensure compliance with security procedures
- Liaise with SAPS or other authorities when necessary
- Prepare detailed incident reports
- Assist security supervisors with operations
Requirements:
- Education: Grade 12 (Matric)
- Certification: PSIRA Grade C or higher
- Experience: 3-5 years as security officer
- Training: Advanced security training, crowd control, access control systems
- Skills: Leadership, report writing, conflict resolution
- Personal Attributes: Calm under pressure, decisive, strong communication
Salary Range: R13,000–R18,000/month
3. Security Control Room Operator
What You’ll Do: Monitor CCTV systems, manage access control platforms, coordinate radio communications with field officers, track alarms and incidents, and provide real-time security oversight from control centers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Monitor multiple CCTV camera feeds simultaneously
- Operate access control systems (gates, barriers, turnstiles)
- Dispatch security officers to incidents
- Monitor alarm systems and alert responses
- Maintain radio communication with field teams
- Log all security events and incidents
- Coordinate with emergency services when needed
- Operate security technology platforms
- Maintain control room equipment
- Prepare shift reports
Requirements:
- Education: Grade 12 (Matric)
- Certification: PSIRA registration (Grade C or higher)
- Experience: 2-4 years security experience
- Skills: Computer literacy, multi-tasking, attention to detail, communication
- Training: CCTV operator training, control room procedures, radio communication
- Personal Attributes: Calm, focused, able to maintain vigilance during quiet periods
Salary Range: R12,000–R17,000/month
Work Environment: Climate-controlled control rooms, shift work (often 12-hour shifts)
4. K9 / Canine Handler
What You’ll Do: Work with trained security dogs to patrol facilities, detect explosives or narcotics, conduct searches, deter intruders, and respond to security threats with canine support.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct patrols with trained security dog
- Perform explosive or drug detection sweeps
- Search vehicles, cargo, and buildings with canine assistance
- Care for and maintain working dog (feeding, grooming, vet visits)
- Conduct training exercises to maintain dog’s skills
- Respond to security incidents with K9 support
- Maintain handler-dog bond and working relationship
- Complete incident reports involving K9 operations
- Coordinate with supervisors on deployment
Requirements:
- Education: Grade 12 (Matric)
- Certification: PSIRA registration, K9 handler certification
- Experience: 3-5 years security experience; K9 handling certification
- Training: Canine handling course (explosives/narcotics detection), first aid for animals
- Physical: Excellent fitness, able to run and handle dogs
- Personal Attributes: Love of animals, patience, discipline, physical courage
Salary Range: R15,000–R22,000/month (includes K9 allowance)
Special Requirements: Must be willing to care for working dog, including off-duty periods
5. Security Investigator
What You’ll Do: Investigate security incidents, thefts, fraud, and breaches. Conduct interviews, gather evidence, prepare investigative reports, and work with management and law enforcement to resolve security issues.
Key Responsibilities:
- Investigate theft, fraud, vandalism, and security breaches
- Conduct interviews with suspects, witnesses, and victims
- Gather and preserve evidence (CCTV footage, documents, physical evidence)
- Coordinate with SAPS on criminal investigations
- Prepare detailed investigative reports
- Testify in disciplinary hearings or court proceedings
- Identify security vulnerabilities and recommend improvements
- Conduct background checks and vetting
- Monitor trends in security incidents
- Liaise with HR on disciplinary matters
Requirements:
- Education: Grade 12 (Matric) or Diploma in Security Management, Law, or Criminology
- Certification: PSIRA Grade A (investigator registration)
- Experience: 5-8 years security experience including investigations
- Training: Forensic investigation, interview techniques, evidence handling
- Skills: Analytical thinking, attention to detail, report writing, interviewing
- Background: Law enforcement or military experience advantageous
- Personal Attributes: Integrity, objectivity, persistence, discretion
Salary Range: R18,000–R26,000/month
6. Security Specialist / Risk Assessor
What You’ll Do: Conduct security risk assessments, develop security strategies, implement security technologies, advise management on security matters, and ensure compliance with security standards and regulations.
Key Responsibilities:
- Conduct comprehensive security risk assessments
- Develop security policies, procedures, and standards
- Design physical security measures (barriers, lighting, CCTV placement)
- Evaluate and recommend security technologies
- Conduct security audits and compliance checks
- Train management and staff on security awareness
- Liaise with external security consultants and vendors
- Respond to major security incidents
- Prepare security reports for senior management
- Integrate security with SHE programs
Requirements:
- Education: Diploma/Degree in Security Management, Risk Management, or related field
- Certification: PSIRA Grade A, ASIS certification (CPP, PSP) advantageous
- Experience: 6-10 years security experience including risk assessment
- Skills: Risk assessment, security technology knowledge, strategic thinking, project management
- Knowledge: SANS standards, security legislation, best practices
- Personal Attributes: Strategic thinker, problem-solver, excellent communicator
Salary Range: R20,000–R30,000/month
7. Security Supervisor / Shift Manager
What You’ll Do: Supervise security teams across a facility or shift, coordinate security operations, manage schedules, ensure policy compliance, handle significant incidents, and report to security managers.
Key Responsibilities:
- Supervise security teams (15-40 officers)
- Manage shift operations and deployment
- Coordinate responses to security incidents
- Conduct performance evaluations of officers
- Ensure compliance with security procedures
- Manage leave schedules and shift rosters
- Conduct security briefings and training
- Liaise with operations managers and facility management
- Prepare operational reports
- Manage security equipment and resources
Requirements:
- Education: Grade 12 or Diploma in Security Management
- Certification: PSIRA Grade B or higher
- Experience: 5-7 years security experience with 2+ years supervisory
- Skills: Leadership, people management, conflict resolution, operations coordination
- Personal Attributes: Strong leadership, decision-making under pressure, integrity
Salary Range: R16,000–R22,000/month
8. Security Manager
What You’ll Do: Lead security function for a division or major facility. Develop security strategies, manage security teams, control budgets, ensure regulatory compliance, interface with law enforcement, and report to executive leadership.
Key Responsibilities:
- Develop and implement security strategies and policies
- Manage security teams (50-200+ personnel)
- Control security budgets and resources
- Ensure compliance with PSIRA, labor law, and regulations
- Interface with SAPS, private security companies, and authorities
- Manage major security incidents and crises
- Implement security technologies and systems
- Conduct security audits across facilities
- Report on security performance to executives
- Coordinate with SHE, HR, and legal teams
Requirements:
- Education: Degree in Security Management, Risk Management, Law, or related field
- Certification: PSIRA Grade A (mandatory), CPP/PSP (advantageous)
- Experience: 10-15 years security experience with 5+ years in management
- Skills: Strategic leadership, budget management, stakeholder management, crisis management
- Background: Law enforcement, military, or corporate security management
Salary Range: R25,000–R35,000/month
Work Locations: Divisional security offices, major facilitie
How to Apply for Security Positions at Transnet
Step 1: Obtain PSIRA Registration
If not already registered:
- Complete PSIRA-accredited security training
- Apply for PSIRA registration (Grade E minimum)
- Ensure registration is active and valid
Step 2: Prepare Your Application
Create a security-focused CV highlighting:
- PSIRA registration grade and number
- Security training and certifications
- Work experience in security (with references)
- Specialized skills (CCTV, access control, investigations, K9)
- Physical fitness and availability for shifts
- Clear criminal record
Step 3: Search for Vacancies
- Transnet Career Portal: jobs.transnet.net
- Search Terms: “security,” “security officer,” “protection,” “K9,” “investigator”
- Filter: By division and location
- Set Alerts: Receive notifications for security vacancies
Explore Related Transnet Career Paths
Customer service connects with all aspects of Transnet:
- General Worker Jobs → – Entry pathway to Transnet
- Apprenticeship Programs → – Technical training opportunities
- Artisan & Technician Careers → – Support customers by ensuring equipment works
- Port Operations & Logistics → – Coordinate closely with operations
- Train Driver Positions → – Customer service supports rail operations
- Engineering & Project Management → – Service quality depends on reliable assets
- Safety, Health & Environmental → – Safety is part of customer promise
- Finance, HR & Corporate Services → – Sales, marketing, admin support roles
- Warehouse & Inventory Management → – Inventory affects service delivery
- Security & Asset Protection → – Security ensures reliable service
- Learnerships & Graduate Programs → – Entry pathway for graduates