Flexible working due to the nature of this role, flexible or remote working isn’t
possible. Rest assured, we work with you to maintain a good work-life balance,
taking into account any responsibilities outside of work wherever possible.
About us
GCHQ is an intelligence, cyber and security agency with a mission to keep the UK
safe. We use cutting-edge technology, ingenuity and partnerships to identify, analyse
and disrupt threats. Working with our intelligence partners MI5 and MI6, we protect
the UK from terrorism, cyber-attacks and espionage. At GCHQ you’ll do varied and
fascinating work in a supportive and inclusive environment that puts the emphasis on
teamwork.
The role
As one of our Security Officers, you’ll be the first point of contact for visitors and staff
entering our buildings. Working in a close-knit, supportive team, you’ll anticipate and
reduce security risks, making sure our building and everyone in it stays safe.
In our Security Control Room, you and your colleagues will oversee access to the
building, carry out physical searches, patrol the grounds, and monitor CCTV.
Whether you’re responding to an alarm, giving first aid, or helping a visitor
understand security procedures, you’ll always follow our policies carefully and keep
clear, accurate incident logs.
In this role, your calm, friendly presence will be invaluable. Each day, you will greet
people from all walks of life, including government officials and colleagues from our
partner agencies, and guide them through any security processes they need to
know. As the first person they meet at GCHQ, you’ll make a great first impression
while completing the necessary checks and staying alert to anything unusual.
You’ll be joining a team that is as supportive as it is experienced. As you learn from
your colleagues and develop your skills, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to grow.
With the chance to work with MI5 and MI6, as well as other security teams
throughout GCHQ, this could be the beginning of an exciting career within the UK
Intelligence Agencies.
About you
You are motivated, proactive, and quick to spot problems before they emerge. Your
strong situational awareness means you are confident in responding to changing
situations and making sound decisions under pressure. Along with your friendly
manner and people skills, you are also someone who communicates clearly and
enjoys working with others.
You might be coming from a security or customer-facing role, just starting your
career, or simply looking for a fresh challenge. Whatever your background, you will
bring a can-do attitude and a desire to contribute to vital work.
To apply, you’ll need:
• security or customer service experience, as you will interact daily with visitors,
colleagues and partner agencies
• an English Language GCSE at grade C/4 or above, or equivalent experience,
which has developed your written and verbal communication skills
• basic IT and Microsoft Office skills to support your incident logging
• the ability to reliably commute for your assigned shift times
You do not need a high level of fitness for this role, but there are some physical
aspects to be aware of. You will need to be comfortable operating heavy doors, using
stairs or lifts, and carrying out physical search and screening duties, which may
include lifting or moving bags and equipment. Foot patrols will take you indoors and
outdoors, sometimes over uneven ground and in all weather conditions.
This is a role where you will grow and develop over time. Ideally you will be someone
looking for a career in security. You will be expected to remain within the security team
for 18 months, but during that period, you can apply for a promotion or explore other
roles within the team, subject to readiness and your line managers endorsement.
Training and development
From the moment you join us, you will be trained on everything you need to know to be
an effective Security Officer at GCHQ. This will include Security Industry Authority
(SIA) certifications and emergency first aid, along with a 1–2-week induction with the
security team prior to starting your shift pattern. You will also be assigned a buddy on
shift to support you as you get settled in.
Rewards and benefits
You will receive a starting salary of either £30,101 or £35,246 (depending on the shift
pattern), including shift allowances and other benefits:
• 25 days’ annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years service, and an
additional 10.5 days’ public and privilege holidays
• opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
• an interest-free season ticket loan (travel and parking)
• an excellent pension scheme
• a cycle to work scheme
• facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
• paid parental and adoption leave.