Executive Protection Driver - Prior Law Enforcement Preferred at Gavin de Becker & Associates (Palo Alto, CA)

Job description

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

This is a full-time hourly position with first-year earnings ranging from $185,000 to $225,000.

To learn more about earnings, promotions, benefits, and more – visit GDBA.com/careers

Your Role as an EP Driver:

Secure Transportation: Arranging and providing secure transport, which includes defensive and evasive driving
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.
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: Monitor the property through command center technology, screening visitors and vendors, and controlling all access points to the protected site.

Who You Are:

GDBA’s ideal candidate for a 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 of 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 (GRS) are also highly desirable.

Hiring Process Requirements:

12-Day Introductory Essential Protector Skills (EPS) Training Academy in San Antonio, TX
Be able to pass physical readiness test (Pull-ups, Push-ups, Sit-ups, 800m run)
Must be able to swim
Must be drug and nicotine free
Background check required
Must be able to obtain appropriate state firearm and security licensing

Culture: High-performance, mission-driven environment focused on protecting lives. Emphasis on merit over seniority, with transparent career progression and at least three promotions in the first two years.
Work arrangement: Primarily on-site, field-based roles with travel required. GDBA operates more than 40 field offices; new hires are expected to work 8-hour shifts, full-time.
Benefits: Best-in-class 401(k) with $15,000 employer contribution in the first year plus 10% matching; fully covered routine medical and dental for employees and families; paid training at overtime rates; travel pay (minimum 16 hours/day) and per diem (up to $135/day); free life insurance (3x salary up to $300k); long-term disability; generous PTO starting at three weeks; $2,500 referral bonuses; and reimbursements for CCW, EMT, and firearms licenses.
Engineering/Innovation culture: While primarily operational, GDBA invests in advanced training, emergency medical protocols, and proprietary security advisory technology. Employees receive constant mentorship and skill-building opportunities.
Veteran benefits: Eligible veterans can utilize GI Bill® benefits for additional income without attending college courses.

One-liner: Gavin de Becker & Associates (GDBA) provides expert protection services for public figures, enterprises, and government agencies, leveraging threat assessment, investigations, and a highly trained protective force.
Entity Type: Private (venture-backed in 2013)
Headquarters: San Antonio, Texas, United States
Founded: 1978
Founders: Gavin de Becker

Primary industry: Security and Investigations
Target customers: High-profile public figures, celebrities, government agencies, and enterprises facing significant safety and privacy challenges.
Mission / purpose: To predict and prevent violence, and protect those most at risk, through pioneering protection strategies, threat assessment, and a dedicated team of professionals.

Executive Protection (Protectors): Full-time, dedicated physical security and protection for individuals; includes travel protection and advanced security details. (Service)
Threat Assessment & Investigations: Analyzing threats, conducting background investigations, and providing intelligence on potential risks. (Service)
Training Academy: A 12-day in-person training academy for new hires, plus ongoing professional development in evasive driving, emergency medical, advanced firearms, and more. (Service)
Security Specialists: Personnel assigned to fixed posts and field offices to maintain secure environments for clients. (Service)
CARE Division / Associate Assistance: Internal support resources and emergency travel assistance for GDBA employees. (Internal program)

Valuation: Not publicly available
Key Metric (Revenue): Annual revenue estimated between $25 million and $50 million (based on LinkedIn data).
Notable Investors/Partners: One venture round raised in 2013 (investor not disclosed). Clients include prominent public figures, corporations, and U.S. government agencies.
Growth Signals: Headcount grew by approximately 3.7% year-over-year, reaching about 294 employees (LinkedIn) or 497 (Built In), with over 40 field offices worldwide. Continuous hiring for multiple roles across the U.S., including immediate need positions in San Antonio and other locations.

40+ years of experience with a track record of protecting the world’s most at-risk individuals, led by founder Gavin de Becker, a nationally recognized expert on violence prediction and prevention.
Full-time, directly employed workforce (not contract-based), ensuring consistent training, accountability, and mission alignment.
Industry-leading compensation and benefits designed to attract and retain top talent, including a best-in-class 401(k) plan with significant employer contributions, comprehensive medical coverage at low cost, paid training, travel pay, and per diem.
Specialized training infrastructure with a proprietary 12-day academy and continuous professional development, creating a highly skilled protective force.

Expansion of field offices and global presence to meet client demand across all U.S. regions and international locations.
Continuous talent acquisition, actively recruiting veterans, law enforcement, and fitness professionals, and investing heavily in training and retention.
Leveraging technology and threat intelligence to enhance protection methods, as evidenced by offerings like a smartphone advisory app for traveling associates.

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