MGS - Ministry of Defence Guard Service - Security Officer - Shift Worker - Lichfield

Ministry Of Defence; Lichfield; On-site; GBP 33,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government department is seeking a Security Officer to ensure site safety and conduct patrols. The role requires 48 hours of work per week with a shift pattern, and offers comprehensive benefits including a Civil Service pension and training opportunities. Ideal candidates will possess strong communication and organizational skills, and must meet medical and security requirements.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with employer contributions

Generous annual leave allowance

Employee Assistance Programme

Free car parking at most sites

Access to Sports & Social Clubs

Qualifications

• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Must undergo a criminal record check and medical requirements.

Responsibilities

• Ensure site safety and security.
• Conduct patrols and ensure compliance with security protocols.
• Report and document security logs and incidents.

Skills

Communication Skills

Organisational Skills

Job description

Responsibilities

• Ensure site safety and security
• Protect Defence personnel, visitors and property
• Conduct patrols on foot or by vehicle, ensuring compliance with security protocols
• Control access – check credentials, issue passes and escort visitors as required
• Perform searches – thorough security checks on vehicles, baggage and personnel
• Respond to incidents – identify risks, manage security breaches and escalates as needed
• Assist employees and visitors – provide professional and courteous support on‑site
• Monitor security systems – operate CCTV, alarms and communication devices
• Manage traffic and parking – control vehicle movement and ensure safe site access
• Report and document – maintain security logs and complete detailed incident reports

This role requires excellent communication and organisational skills, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Shift Pattern & Flexibility

This is a shift working position of 48 hours per week, including breaks. The successful candidate will work nights, weekends, bank holidays and other shifts as stipulated by the agreed shift pattern at the unit. The role will average 48 hours in a calendar week, typically 12‑hour shifts rostered between Sunday and Saturday. Flexible rostering may be required, with working days and shifts stipulated in advance but subject to change with at least 48 hours’ notice. Exact shift patterns will be explained in full during the interview.

Training & Development

New starters will complete a mandatory two‑week residential Foundation Course followed by structured on‑the‑job training. Ongoing professional development is available, including an annual programme of online learning supported by a dedicated Workforce Development Team.

Assessment Process

Applicants will be assessed against the following behaviours: Working Together, Managing a Quality Service, and Communicating and Influencing. Behaviour examples should use real‑life scenarios that relate to the candidate’s own experience. Evidence of plagiarism, use of AI to present ideas or experiences as one’s own, or failure to provide truthful, factually accurate statements may result in withdrawal of the application or disciplinary action for internal candidates. Application sifting is scheduled to take place in the week commencing 01/12/25. Interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams in the week commencing 15/12/25. Dates are subject to change.

Artificial Intelligence Policy

Artificial Intelligence can support the application process, but all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience.

Security Requirements

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the security requirements before appointment. The required level of security is a security check (opens in a new window). Please see our vetting charter (opens in a new window). Personnel working with government assets must complete a baseline personnel security standard (opens in a new window) check.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to meet the medical requirements of the role.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre‑settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. Recruitment is by merit, based on fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria, and a Redeployment Interview Scheme for civil servants at risk of redundancy and meeting the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Behaviours

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Salary: 32,530 £ per year.

Ministry of Defence contributes 9,423 £ towards membership of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Other Benefits

• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%. • A generous annual leave allowance – you can roll over up to 10 days per year. • Minimum of 15 days special leave in a rolling 12‑month period for volunteering in the armed forces or emergency service reserve commitments. • Special paid leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year. • Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave. • Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing. • Free car parking at most sites and access to Sports & Social Clubs, gym, cafeterias and shops. • Entitlement to apply for Blue Light and Defence Discount Cards. • Free MGS Security Uniform.

Things You Need to Know

We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time. We believe that if we look after our people, they will be passionate about delivering great things for our customers. Please visit the Discover My Benefits site (https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/) to explore the full set of benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD.

During induction you will attend a two‑week residential Foundation Security Course, which includes Emergency First Aid at Work training. The post does not offer any relocation allowances. Note that a review of all pay‑related allowances is underway and may impact the allowances currently offered.