Role: SafeGuarding Officer
Grade and Salary: Grade 4, £34,323 – £37,855 (inclusive of 15% shift allowance)
FTE and working pattern: Full Time (1.2FTE), Open Ended
Holiday Entitlement: 28 days annual leave plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday)
About Our Team
SafeGuarding Services provides the University's security and safety provision. The Service encompasses emergency incident response, planning and management, support for the safety and security of all campus users, and pastoral care for students.
The primary role of SafeGuarding Services is to deliver an integrated framework that:
Promotes an ethos of effective risk management to protect staff, students, visitors, and University property and assets.
Provides competent advice to the University Executive to support the development and implementation of a safety and security management framework that ensures compliance with statutory requirements and aligns with the University's values.
Maintains a modern, responsive SafeGuarding provision that meets the University's operational needs, enhances its reputation, and supports its strategic objectives.
Responds proportionately to threats to business continuity through a robust emergency planning and incident management framework that safeguards the University community and secures its assets.
Detailed Description
To provide an effective SafeGuarding Service which protects the University's population, assets and reputation whilst underpinning its values and supporting its strategic objectives. We are also pivotal in delivering a strong care and support service to the University.
SafeGuarding operates 365 days a year and 24 hours a day and our SafeGuarding Officers are the first responders to any security and emergency incidents occurring on campus. SafeGuarding Officers must be very approachable and always welcome direct contact with the various elements of our University Community. SafeGuarding also manage the campus roadways and car parking and lost/found property.
This role involves a stable rotational working pattern, encompassing 12 hours shifts on a 4 on 4 off rotational basis which does include weekend working. Overtime opportunities are available.
Training – a comprehensive package of enhanced training is provided for successful applicants.
Key Duties And Responsibilities
Summary of Activity
Ensure a reliable, effective SafeGuarding service to meet the university requirements.
Provide high levels of professional pastoral care and support to the student population.
React as a first responder to emergency situations as necessary.
A SafeGuarding Officer's priority when responding is to ensure the wellbeing of the individuals involved and to create an environment that helps to promote safety and reassurance.
A SafeGuarding Officer will work collaboratively with Student Wellbeing, the Chaplaincy and the Student Union and other relevant disciplines to ensure that the full spectrum of student support is available to all.
Contribute to the planning of security requirements where necessary.
Adherence to University policies and procedures.
Participate in relevant initiatives in partnership with other services in the University.
Locking and unlocking University buildings including satellite locations as necessary. Patrolling University buildings and campus to protect the property of the University from crime.
Protecting the assets of the University against damage by fire, flood or other hazards and reporting possible breaches of Health and Safety procedures as required within SHIELD System.
Monitoring CCTV coverage and dealing appropriately with identified breaches of security.
Contacting and liaising with emergency services as necessary
Some Examples Of Generic Duties And Responsibilities:
Provide support and assistance to colleagues, students and visitors.
Act as an ambassador for the University at all times. Add welcome week info.
Respond to routine and atypical service requirements.
Manage personal work profile in keeping with service demands following established procedures and as directed by management.
Participate in and ensure completion of all necessary oral and written reporting in area of responsibility.
Demonstrate an understanding of and participate in health and safety practices. E.g. first aid, lone working and fire emergency procedures.
Provide first line of contact for colleagues and students where appropriate
Receive, dispatch, transport and store securely materials required for university business.
Participate in essential internal and external communication.
Any other tasks appropriate to the post and in line with Service business needs
Responsible for co-operating and complying with University Health and Safety Policy and associated procedures.
Essential
Education, Qualifications & Training
Demonstrable customer service skills
Computer literate
Advanced information handling skills both written and verbal
Full driving licence
Desirable
Experience of using integrated CCTV systems
First Aid Certificate or be willing to undertake appropriate training to obtain certificate
Operate IT based access control systems in conjunction with integrated security management systems
Essential
Skills, Knowledge & Competencies
Experience of communicating with a wide audience
Relevant similar experience in a support focussed disciplined environment
Ability to work as part of a team and act on own initiative
Courteous and helpful manner
Flexible approach to work
About Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages.
With a history dating back to 1821, Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and practical, leading-edge research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for business and industry. We connect with industry at every level and develop programmes to match their needs – so employers get work-ready industry-fit graduates.
Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.
We have an established set of values that help us to nurture innovation and leadership, and show our commitment to continuous improvement and development in all our activities.
For full details on our University please view our Careers at Heriot-Watt
How To Apply
Please submit your CV & covering letter via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment.
Internal Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Tuesday 10th March 2026.
We anticipate interviews the w/c Monday 30th March 2026.
At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.
Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .
Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.