Operational Security Supervisor

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

The Corporate Services Group works closely with the Home Office’s policy and operational commands to enable us together to deliver the department’s priorities. The group is comprised of different teams and professional functions, including Commercial, Communications, Finance, People, Portfolio and Project Delivery, Private Office, Security, Estates and Information.

We are recruiting 1 x SGB1 (AO) Operational Security Supervisor to work within the Physical Security Team. The successful candidates will form part of the security team and be responsible for overseeing the daily running of security on site, situated at Old Park Barracks within the Dover area. This is an important and varied role which has a considerable effect on the day-to-day operation of the Kent Region and wider business objective. Flexibility and prioritising are key requirements.

Job description

An Operational Security Supervisor is required to have good organisational skills, and the ability to maintain effective administrative processes, have good written and verbal communication skills with an eye for detail. You will need to have a positive approach to customer service with strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build effective relationships with colleagues within an organisation. Be responsible and self-motivated in keeping up to date with Home Office standing instructions and procedures, including keeping children safe applicable to the guarding service and requesting remedial training via your line manager. Remain accountable, not only for your actions and decisions whilst on duty, but that of the teams. Always remain vigilant, reporting and reacting to any emerging situation. Make timely and effective referrals to Security Management when required. Ensure all communication with colleagues, staff and customers is clear and concise. Assist and provide guidance to all customers, staff, and internal / external stakeholders, promoting a positive and professional working relationship that proactively contributes to the work of the team and aids business delivery.

Key responsibilities

• You should be proactive with the ability to work in a fast-paced and at times highly pressured environment. Hold strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to build relationships with colleagues at every level within the organisation.
• Provide and oversee the provision of effective physical security. Ensuring the protection of Home Office buildings, staff and assets and control the entry to sites, in line with the current conditions of entry and policy.
• Enable the business to function in a safe and secure manner and in accordance with policy and guidance.
• Maintain accurate logbooks, succinctly detailing incidents, or occurrences to the Security Manager.
• Set out and manage the team's breaks and workloads for the day.
• Provide support and guidance if required to colleagues within the team
• Monitor alarm systems & CCTV.

Assist and provide guidance to all customers, staff, and internal / external stakeholders, promoting a positive and professional working relationship that proactively contributes to the work of the team and aids business delivery.

Work Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis on a four-week rolling roster.

Uniform – All Security Officers are required to wear Uniform and PPE. This will be provided by the department and must be worn at all times.

Training

This is a diverse and exciting role, with which, full training will be provided, along with mentoring ensuring you’re fully supported within the role.

Travel

There may be an occasional requirement to travel to Home Office buildings within the Kent estate, but this is expected to be infrequent.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Ability to complete 12-hour shifts covering a 24hr period 365 days a year.
• You must be able and willing to wear a stab vest, uniform and other required personal protective equipment for the duration of the shift (excluding breaks).
• Ability to complete full foot patrols of internal and external areas.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience within a supervisory role, completing rosters and directing a team.
• Experience of Security and Customer Service.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.

This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 44.37% however this can change yearly. Further information can be found on our website.

• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

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Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

• Application – by 20th November 2026

As part of the application process, you will be as