As full-time RVers, we’ve embraced a life of adventure and flexibility. Gate guarding, often associated with oil fields in Texas, has been a staple in our journey, offering not just income but also a window into unique settings and communities. Yet, the world of gate guarding extends far beyond the stretches of Texan oil fields. Diverse Gate Guarding Roles rich with opportunities that align with the dynamic workamping lifestyle. Now, security companies are branching out into other areas of energy development, including wind, solar, pipeline development, and other construction projects. This opens up opportunities for gate guards to find work in many different areas, not just in the oil fields.
From the bustling activity of construction sites to the serene gates of agricultural farms, gate guarding comes in various forms, each with its unique rhythm and requirements. This versatility makes it a perfect match for those of us who call the open road our home. In this post, we’ll delve into various gate-guarding roles, examining how they can provide not only financial benefits but also enrich our experiences as we travel across the country.
Whether you’re a seasoned RVer seeking your next adventure or a newcomer to the lifestyle curious about the various job opportunities, this guide will shed light on the numerous ways gate guarding can enhance your journey. So buckle up, and let’s explore the diverse world of gate guarding together!
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Gate Guarding Basics
What is Gate Guarding?
Gate guarding is a type of security work where individuals, and often couples living in RVs, are stationed at access points to monitor and control entry to specific locations. These locations can include oil fields, solar farms, pipeline projects, construction sites, and even special events. The primary role of a gate guard is to ensure that only authorized personnel and vehicles enter the property, typically by checking IDs, logging entries and exits, and maintaining a visible presence to deter unauthorized access.
The Role of a Gate Guard
Here are some key aspects of the gate guarding role:
- Monitoring Access: Keeping track of who comes in and out, often requiring checking IDs or maintaining a log.
- Security Checks: In some settings, this may involve basic security checks of vehicles or equipment.
- Visitor Management: Providing directions, answering questions, and sometimes managing guest lists or appointments.
- Maintaining Order: Ensuring that the entry point remains orderly and safe.
- Roving Security: Travel the construction area looking for anything out of the ordinary.
Skills and Traits of a Successful Gate Guard
Successful gate guards often share certain skills and traits:
- Attention to Detail: Noticing small things can make a big difference in security.
- Good Communication: Being able to interact effectively with a wide range of people.
- Patience and Diplomacy: Handling potentially stressful situations with calmness.
- Adaptability: Every location has its unique challenges and requirements.
Why It’s Ideal for Full-Time RVers
Gate guarding is a popular choice among those who embrace the workamping lifestyle. Here’s why:
- Flexibility: Many gate guarding jobs offer flexible schedules, making them ideal for RVers who value freedom and mobility.
- Diversity of Locations: Opportunities are available in various settings, allowing RVers to explore different parts of the country.
- Income Stream: It provides a steady income, which is essential for sustaining the RV lifestyle.
Can single RVers be Gate Guards
Yes, there are roles available for single RVers. While many oilfield gates require 24-hour guarding on-site, perfect for couples, projects like solar farms and pipeline work can allow singles, depending on how they are set up.
The Bigger Picture
Being a gate guard is more than a job; it’s a way to experience different facets of life and work while on the road. It offers a unique blend of responsibility and freedom, perfectly suited for those of us who call the open road our home.
Getting Started
The State of Texas requires that security guards working the oilfield gates obtain and maintain a Level 2 Non-Commissioned Security Guard License. This license permits you to perform unarmed security work. To ensure that you are eligible for this license, go to the Texas Department of Public Safety website.
There are four steps to becoming licensed:
- Start an Application at TOPS (Texas Online Private Security).
- Complete a Private Security Bureau Level II Course. This course takes approximately six hours to complete. There are multiple courses available through which to obtain your licensure. We took the course provided by Texas A&M Engineering (TEEX) and found it to be both efficient and cost-effective.
- Fingerprinting through IdentGo provides convenient, fast, and accurate Live Scan fingerprinting services.
- Completing a Background Check will serve to qualify you are eligible for Security Guard Licensure. This is done through IdentGo when you do your fingerprints.
The cost to get licensed is about $89.00-$125.00 per person, with all fees included.
Experience at a Solar Farm Construction Site
Overview
Our journey as full-time RVers recently led us to an exciting opportunity: working as gate guards at solar farm construction sites. These experiences not only diversified our workamping resume but also offered us a firsthand look into the growing renewable energy sector.
Construction sites are dynamic and ever-changing environments, where the role of a gate guard is not just about security, but also about being the first point of contact for a multitude of site activities. In these bustling hubs, gate guards play a crucial role in ensuring that only authorized personnel and vehicles enter the site, maintaining a safe and secure environment for all.
Daily Responsibilities
A typical day for a gate guard at a construction site starts early, often before the first worker arrives, or lasts throughout the night while the construction workers are home sleeping. Responsibilities include:
- Checking IDs: Ensuring that everyone entering the site is authorized to do so.
- Vehicle Logging: Keeping track of all vehicles and equipment entering and leaving the site.
- Roving Patrols: Ensuring no unauthorized personnel are accessing the site or attempting to steal products or equipment.
- Managing Deliveries: Construction sites often have numerous deliveries; gate guards must direct these deliveries efficiently to avoid disruptions.
- Incident Reporting: In the event of any security or safety incidents, the gate guard is often the first to respond and report.
Daily Life on the Solar Farm
Unlike the oil fields, solar farm construction presented a different rhythm and set of challenges:
- Eco-Friendly Environment: Embracing the renewable energy ethos, the site was a blend of technology and environmental consciousness.
- Visitor and Contractor Management: Our role involved coordinating with a diverse group of professionals, from engineers to delivery personnel.
- Safety Protocols: Given the unique nature of the site, adhering to specific safety measures was crucial, especially around high-tech and heavy equipment.
Unique Challenges and Rewards
Working on a solar farm construction site, there was a learning curve:
- Adapting to New Technology: Understanding the basics of solar technology added an educational aspect to our job.
- Weather Elements: Being in an open field meant more exposure to the elements, requiring us to adapt our living and working conditions.
- Sense of Contribution: There was a profound sense of contributing to a sustainable future, making our work feel even more rewarding.
Reflections and Takeaways
Our stints at solar farm construction sites have been an eye-opener, showing us the vast possibilities of gate guarding. It’s not just a job; it’s a way to be part of different industries and witness the evolution of new technologies.
The first solar farm job we had was a 12-hour shift that entailed checking in and out people at the main gate and roving the property, making sure no unauthorized personnel were on site after hours.
Our second solar farm job was 12-hour shifts overnight during the week and 24 hours on the weekends that Lisa and I split. This one was strictly roving patrol, opening and closing access gates before and after the shifts, and making sure people were not accessing the site after hours. For this job, we were provided a company truck to use as a roving patrol.
Why It’s Great for RVers
For those of us living the RV lifestyle, these roles can be particularly appealing due to their seasonal nature. Many construction projects ramp up during specific times of the year, offering temporary but rewarding opportunities for workamping. Plus, the chance to be part of creating something tangible can be incredibly satisfying – you’re contributing to the development of new structures that will stand long after you’ve rolled on to your next destination.
The Community and Lifestyle
Usually, for the solar farm and pipeline projects, you’ll be living off-site. This makes the job suitable for not only RVers but also locals in the area where the Solar Farm or Pipeline is going in. Solar Farm and Pipeline projects are usually 12-hour shifts, making them suitable for single RVers, too.
Experience on a Pipeline Project
Another Gate Guarding Job we had the opportunity to experience was working on a Pipeline Project.
The Setting and Environment
Gate guarding on a pipeline project is a world apart from the solar farm setting. These projects often stretch over vast distances, crossing through remote areas, agricultural lands, and sometimes even populated regions. The environment can be challenging, with varying weather conditions and terrain along the pipeline route. Your RV might be parked in isolated spots, offering a unique blend of solitude and adventure.
The Role and Responsibilities
As a gate guard on a pipeline project, your role becomes crucial in managing access to the site. The nature of pipeline work means you’ll see a mix of personnel coming through your gate, from construction workers and engineers to environmental inspectors and safety officials. Keeping a meticulous log of entries and exits is paramount, as is ensuring that only authorized personnel access the site. You may also be responsible for inspecting vehicles for safety compliance, such as checking that they’re free from soil contamination that could spread invasive species along the pipeline route.
Most of the gates are on property lines where the pipeline is running through the property. The gate is to allow access to the next or previous property in the line while keeping access to a minimum.
The Challenges
One of the significant challenges of gate guarding on a pipeline project is dealing with the sheer scale of operations. The transient nature of the work means that the project moves through different phases and locations quickly. While you’re on one gate, you’ll see each phase of the project roll through in a day or so, and then the next team will come through with the next phase, and so on. From land clearing, trenching, laying pipe, welding, burying, and testing, there is always something new to see.
Gate Guard Companies
JG Security: 512-694-2814 www.jgsecurity.com (This is the company we love and work for.)
Here is our Review of JG Security – Everyone with JG Security has been so friendly and helpful. From negotiating the licensing process and ensuring everything went smoothly to having a place to stay in the yard while awaiting our first assignment, the staff has been amazing. At our first gate, the Maintenance guys showed us everything we needed to know to get started and succeed in our duties. Every time we’ve had a question or problem with equipment, they have been quick to get the issue resolved. Lisa and I have enjoyed our time working with JG Security. They really do treat you like family. We continue to come back to JG Security year after year. They have given us so many opportunities to grow and expand our resumes and work in different areas.
There is a new pipeline project coming in September 2025. If you’d like to come work with us, contact JG Security.
If you found the information on this page helpful, and you apply with JG Security, let them know Rob and Lisa Keller referred you. Thanks
Guard 1 Services: 713-337-4300 www.guard1services.com
SiteWatch: 903-561-7202 www.swgateguards.com
Spartan Protection Services: 432-755-6821 www.spartanprotectionservice.com
OverWatch Enterprises: 830-816-5405 www.overwatchent.com
Gate Guard Services: 361-929-6992 gateguardservices.com
Conclusion
If you need a way to make quite a bit of money in a short time, you may want to look into Gate Guarding. As we’ve explored the various facets of gate guarding, it’s clear that this role offers much more than just a paycheck. It’s a gateway to diverse experiences, perfectly aligning with the adventurous spirit of the full-time RVing community. Our experience is that Gate Guarding is an easy job that you and your spouse can do together, but with opportunities like solar farms and pipeline projects, you can also apply as a single person.
Whether it’s overseeing the hustle of a construction site, the elegance of private events, or the tranquility of agricultural settings, each gate guarding opportunity brings its unique flavor to our journey.
For those of us who thrive on change and enjoy meeting new people, gate guarding is more than a job; it’s a component of a lifestyle that values freedom, flexibility, and the joy of discovery. As full-time RVers, we’re not just looking for work; we’re looking for experiences that enrich our travels and broaden our perspectives. Gate guarding allows us to work for a few months, then travel where our heart desires for the rest of the year.
So, whether you’re a seasoned RVer or someone considering this lifestyle, consider gate guarding as a viable and rewarding option. It’s not just about keeping a gate; it’s about opening the door to new adventures, connections, and stories.
Until our paths cross at some new and exciting gate, keep exploring, keep guarding, and most importantly, keep enjoying the journey.
Have you tried gate guarding in your travels? Or are you considering it as a new adventure? Share your stories, questions, or insights in the comments below. Let’s build a community where we can learn from each other and share the joys and challenges of the RV lifestyle.
Is there a specific topic you want us to cover next? Do you have tips or experiences you’d like us to explore? Drop us a line, and let’s make this blog a vibrant resource for the RV community together!
Thank you for taking the time to read about our experience with Gate Guarding. If you have any questions about our experience or Workamping in general, please feel free to leave a comment below.
There are jobs all over the country looking for full-time RVers like us to come work for them for a few weeks, a season, or longer. Regardless of how much you’ve saved to start the RVing adventure, you may likely need or want to supplement your income while on the road. You can easily do this with just a little creativity, a lot of flexibility, and an adventurous spirit with regard to jobs for RVers and Workamping! Workamping can be a great way to travel and see the country while earning a living along the way. We highly recommend giving it a try.
Learn about Workamping here. If you sign up, there is a box where the new member can enter our name and number as the person who referred them. Please put that Rob & Lisa Member Number: 212855, referred you. You’ll get a great deal on the subscription, and we’ll get a small commission. Thank you.
Our Other Workamping Jobs
Workamping 5.0 Texas Workamping: Inside the World of Gate Guarding
Workamping 4.1 Yellowstone Camera Store, West Yellowstone, Montana
Workamping 3.0 Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park, West Yellowstone, Montana
Workamping 2.0 JCPenney Distribution Center Reno, Nevada
Workamping – Our First Job – California Land Management, South Lake Tahoe, California
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