View Vacancy – Security Officer – UK Mission to the UN and British Consulate General New York

The British Government’s Consulate General and UK Mission in New York has an exciting opportunity for a driven, professional and conscientious person to join the Security Team as a security officer. This opportunity is a rewarding role which supports and further develops the special relationship between the UK and the US, supporting work at the forefront of international diplomacy in order to make a real difference globally.

The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme.  It also promotes a culture of flexibility which enables people to better maintain wellness through an excellent work/life balance approach that encompasses hybrid working, including working from home and flexible hours, where possible.  In this role you would be working in a diverse international environment with UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country-based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences.

The ideal candidate will represent the FCDO for both the UK Mission and British Consulate General in New York. This role encompasses both customer service and security skills and requires an individual to be representative of the office as they will be the first and last point of contact for all visitors arriving and leaving the office. During the week day shifts, it is vital that security officers are completely professional representing HMG and delivering exemplary customer service. Outside of business hours, security officers are required to make sure that the premises and assets of the office are kept safe and secure. 

Roles and responsibilities:

• Reception duties, including meeting and greeting visitors, taking switchboard calls from the public, liaising with colleagues about visitors and attendees at meetings and events, managing access control to the offices, handling visitor passes and being the first point of contact for staff and visitors to the office.
• Reception Guard duties, including staffing metal arch detectors, searching visitors’ bags, providing a security presence in the public reception and occasional security presence at events or major meetings including at official residences.
• Office Guard: Implement day-to-day security measures, including patrols, locking/ un-locking procedures, CCTV monitoring, pass and access control and programming, testing alarms and radios, escorting contractors, freight elevator access, security scanning of mail/ post, key-holders for the offices, completing security paperwork and logs.
• Building Facilities Support working alongside other Corporate Services staff: carry out shared wider duties across the guard force, to help with office facilities support around: health & safety measures, notices and paperwork; fire drills, extinguishers, first aid kits, equipment, security signage, key-holder and locks duties, helping manage the mailroom
• Other ad hoc tasks as directed by Security and Corporate Service Managers

Resources managed (staff and expenditure):

None

• Applicants for this position must be a national of one of the following countries: UK, US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand.
• Must have the legal status to live and work in the US at the time of applying unless sponsorship is clearly stated in the advert.
• Work experience in the security sector/law enforcement/military, ideally office-based or in a corporate environment as we work in close quarters in a small team.
• Excellent people engagement skills and first-rate customer service, including a proven track-record in dealing with members of the public.
• Experience of working a public reception in an office environment.
• A high degree of professionalism and strong ability to represent the UK government externally to visitors and other members of the public.
• Adaptable, flexible and energetic; ability to work well in a team and to work collaboratively to deliver shared tasks and help others.
• Proven experience of Microsoft Windows 10 suite, including Outlook, Word and Excel – as well as bespoke IT security, access control & CCTV systems
• Must be fluent in spoken and written English.

Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US has restrictions on the type of visas our non-diplomatic staff may hold.  If you are not a US Citizen or a US Permanent Resident, or the dependent of a diplomat (with an EAD card), you may not be eligible for employment with the UK government. We cannot accept student Visas (J1, F or M) nor other forms of work Visas (I, H, P).  If you hold a work visa it is best to check on your eligibility to work for a foreign government before applying for a position. The UK Government does not routinely sponsor work visas; the job advertisement will state clearly whether sponsorship is available. You may refer to our website for additional information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/living-in-the-usa.

All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work.  

Language requirements: 

Language: English
Level of language required: Fluent in both written and oral communication