Security Officer Associate

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Corporate Services Group works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Communications, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Private Office, Security, Estates and Information.

Home Office Security is within Security, Estates, & Information Directorate. Our mission is to raise standards and protect our people, assets, and information. We provide a range of services, advice and assurance to the department and seek to mitigate malicious or inadvertent risk, investigate alleged wrong-doing and identify vulnerabilities, and prepare for disruptive challenges.

Job description

The successful candidate will form part of a Security Team responsible for providing effective operational security to ensure the security of Home Office buildings, staff and assets are maintained at all times.

This is an important role covering a variety of tasks which has a considerable effect on the day-to-day operation of a variety of Stakeholders within the Home Office.

There are many reactive tasks associated with the post, therefore flexibility and an ability to prioritise are key skills required for this role.

This role requires good communication skills and the ability to build relationships with other teams and colleagues across Government. You will need to be proactive in your approach to work, making effective decisions, managing information and contributing to the smooth running of the Organisation.

Security Officers are required to be able to read and absorb information, implementing what has been read, ensuring it is followed and use available information to brief colleagues and plan. Security Officers require effective IT skills, including a good knowledge of Microsoft Word, Excel and Outlook.

In particular, in this role you will have the opportunity to:

Gain skills in Customer Service being the first point of contact for all visitors to the Organisation.

Develop effective communication skills with a variety of stakeholders, including colleagues across the Organisation and other Government department security teams.

Gain expertise in protective security by understanding best practice for business continuity, physical and manned security whilst using state of the art security equipment and electronic systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Control access & egress to HO buildings in compliance with the Home Office Security Pass and Access Control Policies
  • When required, deal with conflict professionally and calmly using the skills learnt in the Conflict Management Training
  • Conduct Internal and external patrols vigilantly as directed, remaining observant of your surroundings and respond positively to situations discovered
  • Complete all written work accurately and efficiently ensuring it is legible and clear
  • Produce comprehensive incident reports in a timely and accurate manner
  • Follow the Home Office Pass Policy when dealing with all visitors or contractors to ensure correct pass issuance
  • Search vehicles and individuals when required in adherence with Home Office searching procedures.
  • Report and record in a timely manner, all incidents, accommodation and health & safety issues identified
  • Respond to all alarms as per Home Office policy
• Assist the FCC Supervisor by monitoring the Fire Control centre and its panels and attending alarm activations for investigation.

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Travel

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Training

This is a diverse and exciting role, for which, full training will be provided, along with mentoring ensuring you are fully supported within the role.

Due to nature of the role, applicants must be physically fit. On appointment, the post holder must attend and pass Conflict Management Training Theory classroom-based practice in De-escalation and Dojo Training in physical intervention (4 days, in person). Support will be provided. It will then be undertaken as an annual refresher.

Uniform – All Security Officers are required to wear Uniform and PPE. This will be provided by the department and must be worn at all times.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Are flexible and able to successfully perform a range of multi-skilled duties.
• Can confidently manage potentially difficult and challenging situations.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills (both verbal and written)
• Strong IT skills – including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
• Professional and customer-focused, ability to understand the needs of vulnerable customers.
• Experience in security provision or a high-pressure customer-service environment and a commitment to the highest standards.
• Confident working with a range of internal and external partners
• Physical Readiness: Able to conduct full foot patrols of internal and external areas while wearing the supplied uniform and PPE (Toe protected boots/shoes, Ballistic body armour) throughout the shift (excluding breaks).

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.
• Sign-up on our website to receive emails with information about careers at the Home Office

This is an Annualised Hours position which attracts allowances for the following:

• Flexibility and Predictability
• Rostered Shift Allowance - the post holder will be required to work shifts:
• Premium Hours which includes weekend working and may include Public Holidays.
• Additional Night Hours will form part of the pay package and staff will be expected to work as a minimum of 70 hours in the year to cover night shifts 1830-0630
• The allowances are not guaranteed and are subject to change depending on business needs.

Allowances