MoD Guard Service

Ministry Of Defence; Great Altcar; On-site; GBP 29,000 - 36,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Civil Service pension

Annual leave

Leave rollover

Volunteer leave

Maternity/paternity/adoption leave

Employee Assistance Programme

Free car parking

Defence Discount Cards

Job summary

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) is recruiting a Security Officer to protect Defence personnel, visitors and property across MOD sites. You will patrol, control access, conduct searches, and respond to incidents while maintaining professional service and teamwork.

Applicants should have excellent communication skills and good physical fitness; training and uniform are provided. Shift pattern includes nights, weekends and 12-hour shifts, averaging 48 hours per week.

Qualifications

• Excellent communication and organisational skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• No prior security experience required; full training provided.

Responsibilities

• Ensure site safety and security - Protect Defence personnel, visitors, and property.
• Conduct patrols - Monitor designated areas on foot or by vehicle, ensuring compliance with security protocols.
• Control access - Check credentials, issue passes, and escort visitors as required.
• Perform searches - Conduct thorough security checks on vehicles, baggage, and personnel.
• Respond to incidents - Identify risks, manage security breaches, and elevate 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.

Job description

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) provides high-quality security services at over 170 MOD sites across the UK, including high-profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London, Whitehall, and His Majesty's Naval Bases in Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Clyde.

Key Responsibilities As a Security Officer, you will:

• Ensure site safety and security - Protect Defence personnel, visitors, and property.
• Conduct patrols - Monitor designated areas on foot or by vehicle, ensuring compliance with security protocols.
• Control access - Check credentials, issue passes, and escort visitors as required.
• Perform searches - Conduct thorough security checks on vehicles, baggage, and personnel.
• Respond to incidents - Identify risks, manage security breaches, and elevate 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.

Excellent communication and organisational skills are required, as well as the ability to work independently and as part of a team. This role involves patrolling large areas, standing for periods, staying alert and responding quickly when needed, so a good level of physical fitness is essential.

Shift Pattern & Flexibility

This is a shift working position at 48 hours per week including breaks. The successful candidate will be expected to work nights, weekends, bank holidays etc as stipulated by the shift pattern agreed at the Unit depending on site requirements. This will be an average of 48 hours in a calendar week; this will be 12 hour shifts each week rostered between Sun - Sat. This will include being rostered in a flexible manner (termed a flexible week) within the shift roster. During the flexible week, the working days and shifts will routinely be stipulated in advance but may be changed at short notice, (this should be no less than 48 hours). The exact shift pattern will be explained in full during the interview.

There's no single background that makes someone right for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service. Our officers come from a variety of careers including security, military, retail, hospitality, care, logistics, teaching, customer service, or after a career break. What matters is how you work, not where you've worked. We're looking for people who can:

• Remain calm, polite and respectful in busy situations
• Pay attention to detail and report anything unusual
• Follow procedures consistently
• Learn quickly and adapt to changing circumstances
• Communicate clearly with people from all backgrounds
• Be reliable, punctual and professional
• Support colleagues and work well as part of a team

You don't need previous security experience - full training and uniform are provided.

Alongside your salary of £32,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,423 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. The MOD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits you will receive include:

• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A generous annual leave allowance.
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year.
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military 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.
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and Cafeterias and Shops.
• Entitlement to apply for Blue Light and Defence Discount Cards.