Templates Guides
Locksmith Job Description + Free Template [2024]
Locksmith
Are you on the lookout for new hires for your locksmith business? In this guide, we’ll give you detailed info about what skills to look for in this rapidly changing industry.
The best locksmiths have a high degree of technical knowledge and stay up-to-date about best practices in locksmithing. A detailed list of job requirements, responsibilities, and skills can help target these candidates.
However, a good job description is about more than just attracting the right candidate. Your job description can also help you:
Reduce turnover because there aren’t any surprises on day one.
Set clear expectations about exactly what skills you want your ideal candidate to possess.
Streamline the hiring process by encouraging the right candidates to apply.
Contribute to your company's success by attracting the best locksmiths in your area.
In the following sections, you’ll get a template for a detailed job description, plus information about what qualities to look for when you’re interviewing candidates.
To learn more about how ServiceTitan can help you run your Locksmith business more efficiently so that it’s optimized for growth, you can request a demo with our team.
Locksmith Job Description Template
This job description template will help you start hiring to grow your locksmith business. You can adjust the description to match the qualifications and skills that meet your business needs. For example, if you’re hiring a specialist for automotive locksmithing, you might highlight experience with ignition systems as a key skill.
Click here to download our free roofing proposal template, which can be used for residential or commercial roofing services.
Locksmith
The Locksmith will install, repair, and maintain various electronic and manual locks, including door locks, automotive locks, and integrated security systems. The candidate will work with individual and commercial clients to provide fast and efficient service for routine maintenance and emergencies.
Primary responsibilities:
Install, maintain, and repair various locks, access controls, and integrated security systems in residential, automotive, and commercial settings.
Repair and maintain door locks, padlocks, combination locks, ignition systems, tumbler locks, and safes.
Keep accurate job details, inventory, and equipment records using company software.
Interact with clients to understand safety concerns, diagnose security vulnerabilities, and suggest solutions.
Install home security systems, including front door locks and digital alarm systems.
Installed and maintained commercial security systems, including panic bars and exit control systems.
Operate key-cutting machines and create master key systems.
Extract broken keys from locks, including door locks, car doors, and safes.
Reprogram transponder keys for remote car locks, and troubleshoot malfunctioning remote keys.
Diagnose and repair faulty ignition key systems.
Diagnose and repair combination locks and padlocks for commercial and residential safes.
Operate handheld tools required for repair and installation of locks and security systems.
Keep accurate records of keying systems for commercial properties.
Ensure timely response to emergency calls to disarm security systems, unlock doors, and re-establish security systems in the event of a break-in.
Uphold high standards of professionalism in stressful situations.
Exercise proper professional judgment in handling confidential client information.
Required knowledge, skills, and abilities:
An up-to-date understanding of manual and electronic security systems, with a minimum of one year of previous experience.
Proficiency in handling required tools, including handheld tools for installation and repair and key-cutting machines.
Excellent customer service skills and comfortable with both residential and commercial customers.
Thorough understanding of local laws relating to security devices and systems.
Excellent record-keeping skills to maintain administrative records of site visits.
A valid driver’s license and experience operating one-ton vehicles.
Educational/certification requirements:
High school graduation or GED certificate.
Locksmith certification, including a minimum of two years of apprenticeship training.
Clean criminal background check and valid security clearance.
Environmental conditions:
Environment involves working with hazardous materials, including lead and asbestos, and following appropriate safety precautions.
Workers will occasionally be exposed to loud noises, construction dust, fumes, dirt, and extreme temperatures.
This opportunity is in a field service environment requiring local travel.
Occasional exposure to working in extreme weather conditions.
Day and evening shifts with assignments that occasionally require overtime hours.
Physical requirements:
Ability to lift up to 25 pounds and stand for up to four hours.
Ability to climb, balance, stoop, kneel, and/or crawl.
Manual dexterity and general comfort working with handheld tools.
Ability to work after-hours, including nights and weekends, including the ability to be on-call.
Natural or corrected vision to focus on detailed work.
Remember that before you hire, you’ll need to ensure you have time tracking, payroll, and bookkeeping. You can do this with locksmith software that centralizes team management.
You’ll also need to ensure you have the proper business insurance, including workers’ compensation, to protect your business in the event of worker injuries.
What Does A Locksmith Do?
A locksmith installs, repairs, and maintains a variety of locks, security systems, and access controls. They also consult with residential and commercial clients on security vulnerabilities and respond to emergency calls related to lockouts and break-ins.
Locksmiths may also perform a variety of specialized tasks, including:
Creating master key systems
Resetting transponder codes for remote locks
Diagnosing issues with improperly functioning locks
Maintaining records of access control systems
When you hire, you’ll probably want to ensure that your candidate has a well-rounded skill set that includes a few deeper areas of specialization. Ideally, these should complement the skills of other team members. On the other hand, if you’re just starting your locksmith business, you may decide to focus on specialized skills later.
Regardless of their specialization, locksmiths usually take on some core responsibilities central to their profession.
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Common Locksmith Responsibilities
Most locksmith jobs involve the following responsibilities depending on the seniority of the technician:
Install, maintain, and repair locks and security systems: This can involve residential front door security, commercial-grade security systems, and automotive locks.
Identify and fix security vulnerabilities: This includes identifying locks that aren’t functioning properly, diagnosing the problem, and recommending security upgrades.
Maintain customer records: Locksmiths must maintain an accurate history of work performed for past customers to address new issues. They may also be required to maintain records of keying systems and access details for regular clients.
In addition to technical responsibilities, locksmiths must maintain professional relationships with various clients, often under stressful circumstances.
To ensure your new hires can meet these responsibilities, you’ll want to decide on the experience and educational background they’ll need.
Common Locksmith Requirements And Skills
Locksmiths need a unique combination of technical and soft skills that they learn in various settings. Some of these skills might come naturally, but they’ll also need formalized training, including:
High school diploma or GED: High school graduation is a common requirement, ensuring a basic level of knowledge.
Vocational training and certification: Vocational training often includes both class time and several apprenticeship hours, which are necessary to get certified.
Specialized experience: Employers working in a specific client niche may require specialized skills in safe handling, integrated security systems, or other industry niches.
Trade organization membership: These memberships may require annual exams and ongoing professional development, ensuring members uphold high professional standards.
These requirements build on a set of common skills locksmiths need, including:
Problem-solving skills: Locksmiths must come to the job ready to assess and diagnose lock and security systems issues. They should be able to draw on experience to solve new problems.
Professionalism: When emergencies arise, locksmiths need to be able to stay calm and professional while interacting with clients who may be highly stressed.
Discretion with sensitive information: Locksmiths need to be able to handle sensitive security information with professional discretion.
Attention to detail: Working with complex security systems requires attention to detail to anticipate and mitigate vulnerabilities, fix technical issues, and conduct thorough maintenance.
Locksmiths should also be able to maintain high standards of customer service to generate positive reviews for your marketing efforts.
Finally, they’ll also need to be comfortable with service technology that helps them organize their work.
ServiceTitan’s Field Service App is the easiest way to ensure locksmiths are set up for success, with a mobile app that lets them arrive on-site with all the information they need. They can review detailed job histories, pull up quotes, check inventory, and more, no matter where their next call takes them.
As a business owner, you can use ServiceTitan for all your front office, back office, and field operations—whether you have one central office or a franchise with multiple locations.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some of the new employers' most common questions about hiring locksmiths.
What is the average salary of locksmiths?
On average, locksmiths earn an average salary of $46k–$59k, with a median salary of $53k. Salary ranges vary widely depending on years of experience, professional training, and location. It may also depend on the technical specialization you’re looking for and the number of overtime hours the job requires.
What are some good personality traits for a locksmith?
Locksmiths should be natural rule followers: conscientious, careful, and detail-oriented. They should also be highly organized and able to maintain complex systems accurately. Professionalism is also a must, including the ability to maintain high standards of service for both residential and commercial clients.
What are the main skills a locksmith needs?
Locksmiths should have expert knowledge of your clients' locks and security devices. They’ll also need the technical proficiency to repair and maintain locks, including a sophisticated understanding of electronic and remote locks. They should be committed to professional development to stay up-to-date with new security trends as your business evolves.
