Update - 19.07.2021 We are no longer accepting any applications for the London location.

Location(s)

London (zone 1-2)

•Day shifts £30,885 (including allowances and overtime)
•24-hour shift pattern £35,414 (including allowances and overtime)

Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire
•24-hour shift pattern £31,585 (including allowances and overtime)

At MI5 we work hard to keep our country safe. And it’s equally important that we protect our people, places and property. When you join us as a Security Support Officer, you’ll help us do just that – from one, or several of our locations.

The role

As an MI5 Security Support Officer, you’ll help to protect our assets, people and places and make our complex security operation a success. You’ll work with a team of motivated professionals to provide a reassuring presence, while conducting a range of security duties and responsibilities.

A main focus of the role will be to use bespoke security architecture (e.g., CCTV and Access Control systems) to maintain security assurance across our estates. You’ll also be responsible for processing visitors and vehicles and engaging in incident and emergency response.

What we look for

It takes people from a variety of backgrounds to help us tackle the threats that we face and MI5 is committed to reflecting the society we protect. For this reason, our Security Support Officers come from all walks of life and you don’t need any security experience to apply; you’ll have good customer service skills and be keen to learn. You’ll need to enjoy working in a team, be calm under pressure and understand when to be insistent.

You’ll also need to communicate confidently and take care to write clearly and concisely. With excellent attention to detail, you’ll compile accurate written logs. Proactive and motivated, you’ll be an effective time manager with strong administrative and observational skills.

We’ll also expect you to have some basic IT skills, including the ability to use email and Microsoft Office.

Your career development

At MI5 continuous learning and development is at the heart of all that we do. You’ll be supported to gain professional security qualifications and to develop other skills.

We’ll also provide you with suitable tailored and ongoing security practitioner training and mentoring. This will include exposure to our protocols/procedures and security systems as well as customer care, conflict management/resolution and fire safety. You’ll also contribute towards project work aimed at further improving our security offering.

Promotion within the specialism is subject to organisational/business need with transfer to other parts of the organisation encouraged, albeit after an initial qualifying period of 5 years.
 
Before you apply

We currently have roles in in London (zone 1-2), Wiltshire, Berkshire and Oxfordshire and you’ll be given the option to select your preferred location at the start of your application. More information about location will be provided as you progress through the application process.

If you choose to apply for a role in Wiltshire, Berkshire or Oxfordshire you will require a full driver’s license. A driver’s license is desirable but not essential for the London role.

It is expected that successful applicants will commence employment between February and April 2022.

Shift patterns

As part of the application process, you will need to select which shift pattern you are applying for, 24-hour or day shifts.

Our 24-hour shift workers typically work a full 7-day week comprising day and night shifts. This will include: 2 day shifts (covering 0600-1830, including an hour’s unpaid meal break), 2 night shifts (covering 1800-0630 including an hour’s unpaid meal break) and 4 days off.

Our Day Officers typically work Monday to Friday, 06:00 – 15:00, 08:00 – 17:00 or 11:00 – 20:00*

*The above times are provided as a guide and exact shift patterns may vary.

If you are successful in your application, you will be required to wear a uniform.

Fitness

A reasonable level of personal fitness is important due to the nature of this role. Candidates are expected to undertake and pass a Fitness for Role medical which includes having a body mass index of 30 or less and a blood pressure within NICE guidelines of less than 140/90. If successful, applicants will need to maintain their fitness levels throughout their placement as periodic medicals form part of the deployment as a Security Support Officer.

Honesty and integrity are crucial to us if you wish to be considered for employment with the organisation. Giving misleading or omitting information during the recruitment and vetting process is viewed very seriously and will lead to your application not being taken forward. You should ensure you follow our guidance from when you commence your application.

Recruitment Process

•Initial application – You will complete some basic personal details and eligibility questions
•Situational Judgement Tests – You will complete a series of hypothetical workplace scenarios related to the Security Support Officer role
•Full application – You will complete your education and work history and answer some motivational fit questions
•Telephone Interview – You will answer some motivational fit, competency and scenario based questions
•Online interview – You will answer some additional motivational fit, competency and scenario based questions and short written/verbal assessment.

The next stage is a security interview with a vetting officer and then fitness test.

During the recruitment process our recruitment team will give you further information about when you would be able to join. Due to COVID, the above process may change but we will keep you informed.

MI5 is an Equal Opportunities employer, committed to reflecting the society we protect. Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and based on merit. We particularly welcome applications from women, Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates, candidates with a disability and LGBT+ candidates.

As part of our commitment to being a ‘Disability Confident Leader’ we will ensure that a fair and proportionate number of disabled applicants that meet the minimum criteria for this position will be offered an interview. This is known as Offer of an Interview.

To secure an interview for this vacancy, the minimum criteria (in order of application process are):

•Eligibility questions – You will be asked a series of questions relating to this vacancy. If you meet the eligibility criteria you will directed to the initial application form.
•Situational Judgement Tests – You will be required to reach the pass mark set for the situational judgement tests
•Application form – You will be required to pass an application form sift.

On successful completion of these stages, you will be invited to complete a telephone interview. This is our offer of an interview.

To be eligible to apply, you must be a British Citizen. One of your parents must be a British Citizen or must have one of the nationalities or citizenships from one of the following: British Overseas territory, British subject, British National (Overseas), British protected person, citizenship of the Commonwealth, EEA nationality, or citizenship of the United States of America. If deceased, have had such citizenship or nationality before death. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered. If successful, you will not normally be required to give up your non-British citizenship but, as a condition of your employment or secondment, MI5 may impose restrictions on your postings, work travel and/or general use of that nationality. Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. Each case will be carefully considered on its own facts. You can apply at the age of 17 years and 6 months, if successful you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday. Discretion is vital. You should not discuss your application, other than with your partner or a close family member. Please note, you should only launch your application from within the UK. If you are based overseas, you should wait until you visit the UK to launch an application. Applying from outside of the UK will impact on our ability to progress your application. Further information on our eligibility criteria can be found on the Applying section.

Equal Opportunities Statement

The UK Intelligence Agencies are Equal Opportunities employers, committed to reflecting the society we protect.  Out recruitment process is fair, transparent and based on merit.  We welcome applications from LGBTQ+ candidates, candidates with a disability, particularly from women and Black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates.

Please be aware that we withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role from the original closing date once a certain number of applications have been received. Please be mindful of this and submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.