Security Officer

A 12-hour shift pattern of 2 day shifts from 7am to 7pm (including an hour’s unpaid meal break) and 2 night shifts from 7pm to 7am (including an hour’s unpaid meal break) and 4 days off

These shifts are fixed, so you must be able to commit to the above.

Flexible working: due to the nature of this role, flexible or remote working isn’t possible. Rest assured we’ll work with you to maintain a good work-life balance, taking into account any responsibilities outside of work wherever possible.

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.

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 (both on foot and in vehicles 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’ll 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’s 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.

You’re motivated, proactive, and quick to spot problems before they emerge. Your strong situational awareness means you’re confident in responding to changing situations and making sound decisions under pressure. Along with your friendly manner and people skills, you’re 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’ll 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’ll 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
• a full driving licence, as you’ll undertake both foot and vehicle patrols
• basic IT and Microsoft Office skills to support your incident logging
• the ability to reliably commute for your assigned shift times

You don’t need a high level of fitness for this role, but there are some physical aspects to be aware of. You’ll 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’ll grow and develop over time. Ideally you will be someone looking for a career in security. You’ll 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 manager’s endorsement.

From the moment you join us, you’ll…