Security Officer - Campus Services - 101753 - Grade 3

Position Details

Campus Services

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £24,368 to £25,876

Grade: 3

Full Time, Permanent

2 positions available

Closing date: 1st April 2025

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high-quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus, we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum, and botanical gardens.

Background

The University of Birmingham Community Safety & Security Team has recently undergone a period of transformation and service improvement, so this is an exciting time to join a diverse and skilled team.

The purpose of this role is to deliver an excellent customer-focused security service to university staff, students, visitors, and other external services, with the imbedded culture of “Here to help.” As a Security Officer, you will provide visible patrols of the University buildings and Estate to reassure our community and deter both criminal activity and anti-social behaviour within main campus and accommodation areas.

Prioritising safety and well-being of university staff, students, visitors, and other external people over the protection of material possessions and assets is a key security focus.

Students are the primary stakeholders of the institution; by prioritising their safety, mental health, and overall welfare, we create an environment that fosters academic excellence and personal growth.

The role will entail conducting routine and intelligence-led patrolling, helping secure the estate infrastructure and working within the Control Room environment. You will also be required to provide first response to incidents which may require dynamic thinking and risk assessment, whilst also applying the relevant escalation processes.

Overview

The post works a 24/7 roster system, working 2x7am - 7pm day shifts & 2x7pm - 7am night shifts and 4 days off, responsible for providing a security service to the University. You will be responsible to the Team Manager within the Community Safety and Security Department.

You will be working as a member of one of four teams employed on rotating shifts, under the day-to-day control of a Team Manager or Deputy Team Manager in their absence, who is responsible to the Security Operations Manager on all Community Safety and Security matters.

Role summary

We are looking for someone who can deliver a customer-focused service, to ensure we can provide a safe and secure environment for staff, students, and the public. The role requires someone who can quickly make decisions, using their communication skills to ensure you can take control of a developing situation. If you want variety, a great team to work with, and the ability to contribute to the student experience, this is the role for you.

No experience is required for this role because as a team we go beyond the traditional security boundaries, and as an individual, you must have the personal fortitude and flexibility to deal with this challenging and varied role. The ability to embrace change is a must. As a university, we consider the right attitudes and behaviours as just as important as experience and skill; subsequently, we are prepared to invest and train in the right candidate.

Main Duties

• Patrol the University and outside properties on foot or in a vehicle to ensure the safety of the staff, students, and visitors and to protect the interests of the University.
• Undertake all duties in the Security Control Room - which will require a good working knowledge of the University and of Security systems.
• Monitor and operate computerised and multifunctional closed circuit television systems in accordance with the Data Protection Act, General Data Protection Regulations, Human Rights Act, and other relevant legislation.
• Operate a computer-controlled incident and risk management system.
• Operate an integrated gate entry telecommunication system and monitor and control vehicular access at the entrances and exits to the University.
• Welcome visitors and give directions when required, communicating with the utmost professionalism with students and staff at all levels.
• Record (either manually or into computer systems), a complete record of emergencies, incidents, responses, and when required provide a separate log of major emergencies and maintain a daily record of duties.
• Undertake some static security duty at entrance/exit barriers and inside buildings.
• Staff the Medical School Security Control Room and reception desk as required.
• Be responsible for the issue and receipt of keys and ensure that system records are maintained.
• Be responsible for the safe custody and control of keys and carry out locking up procedures in buildings on campus.
• Carry out assigned duties on special occasions as directed.
• Perform traffic control duties as required to ensure the safe and controlled movement of traffic and pedestrians.
• Comply with the requirements of all Health and Safety Regulations, to assess and report on risks and to take appropriate action to avert those risks.
• Be proficient in the knowledge and use of firefighting appliances, with the ability to recognise and use the appropriate appliance in any circumstance.
• Apply the University Policy in relation to Security issues, to be familiar with the various guidance notes on procedures and to advise others accordingly.
• Report in writing on incidents during periods of duty and maintain a daily record of your duties.
• Ensure that uniform and other equipment issued is maintained in good order and to report any defects immediately to the Shift Supervisor.
• Perform other such duties and undertake further training as may be required from time to time by your supervisors and managers.
• Ensure that all staff, students, and visitors are dealt with in accordance with the requirements of equality, diversity & inclusion, and anti-discrimination legislation.
• Be willing and able to attend court or internal hearings to give professional evidence.
• Deal with challenging and at times distressing situations and be able to make good decisions in critical situations, to be impartial, objective, and professional at all times, to remain polite and courteous even in the face of provocation.
• Apply the principles of First Aid to those in need.
• Apply the principles of Emergency planning training.
• Participate in a culture of continuous improvement and undertake such training and development as may be requested to ensure that you are fully competent to perform the duties expected.
• Treat everyone with dignity and respect, supporting equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Required Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Literacy and numeracy skills as may be evidenced by GCSE English and Maths or other level 1 qualifications which demonstrate an acceptable level of communication skills. Where no equivalent qualification is held, relevant work experience evidencing the skills and ability to undertake the role will normally be required.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on your own initiative within guidelines and procedure.
• Excellent communication skills and the ability to cope in emergencies.
• An attention to detail and the ability to accurately report facts is essential.
• The highest level of personal integrity is required and must be always maintained.
• Possess a professional telephone manner.
• Good computer keyboard skills, with an understanding of IT systems to deal with alarm activations, other alert states, and system malfunctions.
• Experience and proficiency in the use of radio communication systems to operate from a central base station and in accordance with radio license obligations.
• Holder of a full, clean driving licence.
• Required to hold a valid First Aid Certificate.
• Required to hold an SIA License at Door Supervisor level.
• Required to hold an SIA License for CCTV Operators.
• Ability to learn and understand how diversity considerations affect own area (e.g., dietary requirements/dress code).

Desired Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications, Experience

• Strong observation skills.
• Ability to observe and report unusual or suspicious activity and recognise potential threats.
• Customer service background – ability to provide a high level of customer service to the campus community and visitors.

The role is a physical one and so an acceptable level of physical fitness must be demonstrated along with a willingness to work unsociable hours and to work outdoors in extreme weather conditions.

Training Provided:

• Security Industry Association training, Door Supervisor and Closed-circuit Television (CCTV).
• University of Birmingham Emergency Plan training.
• First Aid at work training.
• Mental Health First Aid.
• Action Counters Terrorism.
• Fire awareness training.
• Information Security Training.
• Data Protection UK Training.
• Health and Safety Training.
• Level 1 Highfield Accredited: An Introduction to HESafety & Security Operations Course.

Dimensions

You will be expected to work effectively with internal and external customers as well as within the department management structure. Security services impact on many areas, sometimes critically, and a Security Officer will play a key role in coordinating activity and brokering information in a variety of directions with an expectation of effective outcome.

Planning and Organising

Activities follow a prescribed shift pattern.

Problem Solving and decision making

• Without reference to others: All decisions must be approved by the Team Manager or deputy.
• After consulting others: All decisions relating to the performance of the post holder’s role.
• Or that would be referred to someone else: Any decision that is outside of routine operational functions or is not within the post holder’s remit, competence, or authority.

Internal and External relationships

Will develop and maintain close working relationships with colleagues on your team and other teams within the security department. Will be able to represent the University professionally when dealing with outside agencies such as the emergency services or other Government agencies.

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice; therefore, all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role, all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Neil Anderton, email: n.d.anderton@bham.ac.uk

View our staff values and behaviours here

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.