The Home Office is recruiting a Security Officer in Liverpool to support the safety and security of staff, visitors and government facilities.
This is a permanent, full-time, shift-based role with training provided. The position involves access control, patrols, incident reporting, searches, responding to alarms and providing professional customer service.
Job Details
- Employer: Home Office
- Job title: Security Officer
- Reference: 482015
- Location: Liverpool
- Salary: £27,740 per year
- Additional allowance: Annualised Hours Allowance of up to 31.34%, depending on location and based on the salary minimum
- Grade: Administrative Assistant
- Contract: Permanent
- Working pattern: Full-time, annualised hours and shift working
- Vacancies: 1
- Closing date: 7 October 2026 at 11:55pm
About the Role
The Home Office Security team provides security and customer-focused services to staff and visitors across Home Office locations.
As a Security Officer, you will help maintain a safe and secure environment by controlling access to buildings, carrying out patrols, responding to incidents and alarms, and following established Home Office security procedures.
The role also provides opportunities to develop customer service, interpersonal and protective security skills while working with colleagues and other government security teams.
Key Responsibilities
Your duties will include:
- Controlling access and exit from Home Office buildings in line with security pass and access-control policies.
- Dealing calmly and professionally with potentially difficult or challenging situations.
- Carrying out internal and external patrols as directed.
- Remaining alert to your surroundings and responding appropriately to situations identified.
- Completing written work accurately and clearly.
- Preparing accurate and timely incident reports.
- Following Home Office procedures when issuing passes to visitors and contractors.
- Searching vehicles and individuals when required.
- Reporting and recording incidents, accommodation issues and health and safety concerns.
- Responding to alarms in accordance with Home Office procedures.
- Providing professional customer service as the first point of contact for visitors.
Essential Requirements
Applicants should be able to demonstrate:
- Flexibility and the ability to perform a range of multi-skilled duties.
- Confidence in managing potentially difficult and challenging situations.
- Good verbal and written communication skills.
- Strong IT skills, including Microsoft Word, Outlook and Excel.
- A professional and customer-focused approach.
- An understanding of the needs of vulnerable customers.
- Experience in security provision or a fast-paced customer service environment.
- Commitment to maintaining high standards.
- Confidence working with internal and external partners.
Desirable Experience
- Previous security experience.
Working Pattern and Shifts
This position is available full-time only.
Successful applicants must be able to work a range of shifts, including:
- Early starts
- Late-night finishes
- Overnight shifts
Some shifts may take place outside normal public transport operating hours.
The role may also require travel to other Home Office locations across the UK when necessary to meet business requirements.
Training and Development
Full training and support will be provided.
Training takes place on the job during the probation period and continues with support from a mentor until the successful candidate is fully confident in the role.
Employees will work as part of a team and will have access to ongoing support and guidance.
Salary and Benefits
The role offers a salary of £27,740 per year, plus an Annualised Hours Allowance of up to 31.34% depending on location.
Other benefits include:
- Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
- 25 days’ annual leave on appointment, increasing to 30 days with service.
- Eight public holidays.
- One additional privilege day.
- In-year reward scheme for exceptional individual or team achievements.
- Training and ongoing development.
Visa / Right-to-Work
The advert does not state that visa sponsorship is available for this position.
The role is broadly open to eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, certain Commonwealth nationals with UK work rights, eligible EU/EEA/Swiss nationals and other individuals meeting the Civil Service nationality requirements.
Applicants should check their eligibility to work in the UK and the nationality requirements before applying.
Security and Eligibility Checks
Successful candidates will be required to meet the relevant security requirements before appointment.
Checks include:
- Basic or equivalent criminal record checks.
- Security vetting.
- Baseline Personnel Security Standard checks.
- Additional pre-employment checks depending on the candidate’s circumstances and role requirements.
This is a uniformed post. Successful candidates will be required to wear the uniform and PPE provided by the Home Office.
Selection Process
The vacancy uses the Civil Service Success Profiles recruitment framework and will assess behaviours and experience.
The assessed behaviours include:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
The application requires:
- Personal Statement: Maximum 500 words.
- Making Effective Decisions evidence: Maximum 250 words.
The selection timetable is:
- Application deadline: 7 October 2026
- Sift: 9 October 2026
- Interview: 30 October 2026
The interview will take place in person at Capital Building, Liverpool L3 9AF. Travel expenses will not be reimbursed.
Application / Selection Process
Applicants should demonstrate in their personal statement how they meet the skills and experience listed in the essential criteria.
The sift will assess the personal statement and lead behaviour. If a high volume of applications is received, an initial sift may be conducted using the personal statement before the remaining application evidence is assessed.
Candidates who successfully pass the sift will be invited to interview.
Applicants are advised to ensure all information provided is truthful and based on their own experience. The Home Office states that inappropriate use of artificial intelligence or plagiarism may result in an application being withdrawn.
Reasonable Adjustments
Reasonable adjustments are available for applicants with disabilities who require changes to the recruitment process.
Applicants requiring assistance should contact the Government Recruitment Service before the closing date and complete the relevant assistance section of the application form.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months, from which further appointments may be made.
Being placed on the reserve list does not guarantee a job offer.
Closing Date
7 October 2026 at 11:55pm
Applicants are encouraged to submit their application before the deadline.
How to Apply
Applications should be submitted through the official Civil Service Jobs vacancy.
Vacancy reference: 482015