View Vacancy - Security Officer

The British Government is an inclusive and diversity-friendly employer.  We value difference, promote equality and challenge discrimination, enhancing our organisational capability. We welcome and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We do not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, colour, ethnicity, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, age, veteran status or other category protected by law. We promote family-friendly flexible working opportunities, where operational and security needs allow.
Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (Operations and Corporate Services)
Security

Main purpose of job:

To represent the FCDO for both the UK Mission and British Consulate General in New York. This role encompasses both customer service and security skills and requires an individual to be representative of the office as they will be the first and last point of contact for all visitors arriving and leaving the office. During the week day shifts, it is vital that security officers are completely professional representing HMG and delivery exemplary customer service. Outside of business hours, security officers are required to make sure that the premises and assets of the office are kept safe and secure.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. In this role you will be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences

The New York British Government Office is comprised of over 200 staff, across two offices, 8 Government Departments, and a wide range of policy priorities. The successful candidate will therefore be working with a  diverse range of stakeholders and issues.

Roles and responsibilities:

  • Receptionist duties, including meeting and greeting visitors, taking switchboard calls from the public, liaising with colleagues about visitors and attendees at meetings and events, managing access control to the offices, handling visitor passes and being the first point of contact for staff and visitors to the office.
  • Reception Guard duties, including staffing a metal detector arch, searching visitors’ bags, providing a security presence in the public reception and occasional security presence at events or major meetings including at official residences.
  • Office Guard: Implement day-to-day security measures, including patrols, locking/ un-locking procedures, CCTV monitoring, pass and access control and programming, testing alarms and radios, escorting contractors, freight elevator access, security scanning of mail/ post, key-holders for the offices, completing security paperwork and logs.
  • Building Facilities Support working alongside other Corporate Services staff: carry out shared wider duties across the guard force, to help with office facilities support around: health & safety measures, notices and paperwork; fire drills, extinguishers, notices and paperwork; first aid kits, equipment, notices and paperwork; security signage; key-holder and locks duties, helping manage the mailroom.
  • Other ad hoc tasks as directed by Security and Corporate Service Managers.
  • At least 4 years work experience in the security sector/ law enforcement/ military, ideally office-based.
  • Excellent people engagement skills and first-rate customer service, including a proven track-record in dealing with members of the public.
  • Ideally, experience of working a public reception.
  • A high degree of professionalism and strong ability to represent the UK government externally to visitors and other members of the public.
  • Adaptable, flexible and energetic; ability to work well in a team and to work collaboratively to deliver shared tasks and help others.
  • Proven experience of Microsoft Windows 10 suite, including Outlook, Word and Excel - as well as bespoke IT security, access control & CCTV systems
  • Must be fluent in spoken and written English.
  • Must be a British, US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand citizen.
  • Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas. 
  • Current holder of New York Security Guard Licence an advantage
  • Previous experience of working in the diplomatic community, especially if in New York, is helpful.
  • Previous experience of office facilities work is useful but not essential.
Making Effective Decisions, Managing a Quality Service, Delivering at Pace, Working Together
14 February 2023
S2
Full-time, Permanent
40
Americas, Caribbean & Overseas Territories
United States
New York, UK Mission to the United Nations, New York
UK Delegation
1
USD
$21.49 hourly
27 March 2023

Learning and development opportunities:

The British Embassy and its US Network is committed to all employee’s ongoing learning and development needs. We offer a comprehensive platform for personalised learning for everything from soft skill development (communicating with impact, handling difficult conversations, time management) to more technical or professional skills necessary to complete your job (software training, formal qualifications etc.).

Working patterns:

The contract is on average 40 hours per week, with a rotating shift pattern across several weeks covering a 24/7 shift roster. Shifts are 8 hours each, with the day shift from 07:30 – 15:30, the evening shift from 15:30 – 23:30 and the night shift from 23:30 – 07:30. Shifts are through the whole week including night and weekend rotations (including holidays) - weekend work (days and night) is required. Applicants must be able and willing to work days, nights, weekends and holidays.

The UK Government operating in the US offers a substantial benefits package including generous leave, a choice of medical insurance, 401(k) matching up to 7%, extensive learning opportunities and a great work/life balance. Employees who are not liable to pay local income tax on their Mission salary, eg some non-local national staff and some spouses or partners of UK diplomatic staff, will have their salaries abated by an equivalent amount. Internal candidates must inform their supervisor before they apply to a different position. Only successful candidates will be contacted. Please no phone calls. Due to the high volume of resumes we receive, we cannot guarantee consideration of your application if the submission instructions are not properly followed. The British Embassy is committed to a policy of equal opportunities and to creating a diverse working environment, free from discrimination, where everyone is included and treated fairly, based on merit alone. We are an equal opportunity employer, making all employment decisions without regard to race, gender, gender identity, religion, national origin, citizenship, disability, age, sexual orientation, political affiliation or any other criterion protected by law.
Please be aware that you will only be able to apply to vacancies for Country Based Staff roles with the British Government through this official tal.net site (operated by Oleeo). Jobs may be advertised on third party websites, however our adverts will always link back to the official tal.net site. If you complete and send an application through any other site, we will not receive it.

This opportunity is closed to applications.