Security Officer, Lanivet

Department: Security Officers

Location(s): Bude

Salary and Hours: Extended Day Officers: £30,101

Monday to Friday. Each week you’ll work a different shift pattern of either 07:00-15:00 or 11:00-19:00.

A 12-hour shift pattern comprising 2 days and 2 nights. This will include: 2 day shifts (covering 0700-19:00 including an hour’s unpaid meal break, 2 night shifts covering 19:00-07:00 including an hour’s unpaid meal break) and 4 days off.

Flexible Working:

Due to the nature of the roles, flexible or remote working isn’t possible. We’ll work with you to ensure you have a good work-life balance, taking into account any responsibilities outside of work as far as 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 as they enter our buildings. Your role will revolve around preparing for and mitigating security risks, all to keep our building and people safe.

You’ll receive all the training you need to feel knowledgeable and confident in any situation. No prior experience in security is needed: just a willingness to learn and good customer service skills.

As part of our Security Control Room, you’ll oversee access to the building, conduct physical searches, patrol the grounds and monitor CCTV. Whether responding to an alarm, administering first aid, or advising a visitor on our security processes, you’ll ensure our security policies are adhered to and maintain accurate written logs of incidents.

You’ll be a friendly, reassuring presence, greeting people from all walks of life, including government officials and colleagues from our partner agencies. You’ll guide them through any security processes they need to be aware of, making a great first impression while completing necessary checks and remaining vigilant for anything unusual.

You’ll do it all as part of a supportive team. As you learn from your colleagues and develop your skills, you’ll have the opportunity to grow your career, with opportunities to work with MI5 and MI6, as well as other security teams throughout GCHQ.

About You

You don’t need previous experience in security to apply, just a willingness to learn. You will need:

1. Customer service experience (e.g., retail, hospitality)
2. Maths and English Language GCSEs at grade C/4 (or their equivalent) or above
3. Basic IT and Microsoft Office skills
4. The ability to commute for your assigned shift time
5. A driving licence (the role will involve driving patrols)

Motivated and proactive in anticipating problems, you’ll demonstrate situational awareness and be confident reacting to changing situations. You’ll need to communicate clearly and enjoy working with others. You might currently work in customer service, be starting your career, or looking for a new challenge. You’ll have interpersonal skills, a friendly attitude, and a real enthusiasm to make an impact as part of our supportive, professional team.

You don’t need a high level of fitness to apply, but there are physical aspects to the role including foot patrols internally and externally, which may take place on uneven ground and must be completed in all conditions. You’ll also need to conduct physical search and screen activities which may involve manual lifting/moving of bags and equipment.

Training and Development

When you join, you’ll be trained on everything you need to know to be an effective Security Officer at GCHQ, including SIA certifications and emergency first aid, along with a 1–2-week induction with the security team prior to starting your shift pattern. You’ll also be assigned a buddy on shift to support you as you get settled in.

Rewards and Benefits

You’ll receive a starting salary of either £30,101 or £35,246 including shift allowances, depending on role, plus other benefits including:

1. 25 days’ annual leave automatically rising to 30 days after 5 years' service, and an additional 10.5 days’ public and privilege holidays
2. Opportunities to be recognised through our employee performance scheme
3. Interest-free season ticket loan (travel and parking)
4. Cycle to work scheme
5. Facilities such as a gym, restaurant, and on-site coffee bars (at some locations)
6. Paid parental and adoption leave.

At GCHQ, diversity and inclusion are critical to our mission. We need a truly diverse workforce that reflects the society we serve. We therefore welcome and encourage applications from everyone, including those from under-represented groups.

What to Expect

Our recruitment process is fair, transparent and based on merit. Here’s a brief overview of each stage:

1. Eligibility sift
2. Application Form and Situational Judgement Test
3. Application sift
4. Virtual Interview

Please note, you must successfully pass each stage of the process to progress to the next. Your application may take around 6-9 months to process including vetting, so we advise you continue current employment until you receive your final job offer.

Before You Apply

To work at GCHQ, you need to be a British citizen or hold dual British nationality. This role requires the highest security clearance, known as Developed Vetting (DV).

Please note we have a strict drugs policy. Once you start your application, you cannot take any recreational drugs and you’ll need to declare your previous drug usage at the relevant stage.

The role is based in Bude, so you’ll need to live within a commutable distance. We do not offer relocation costs.

Please only launch your application from within the UK. Applying from outside the UK will impact our ability to progress your application.

Right to Withdraw Statement:

We withhold the right to bring forward the closing date for this role once a certain number of applications have been received. Please submit your application at your earliest convenience to avoid disappointment.