Response Officer

Swale Borough Council; Sittingbourne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A local authority in Kent is seeking a Response Officer to join the Community Safety Unit. This role involves providing high standards of customer service, managing security concerns, and conducting site patrols. Successful candidates should be enthusiastic, organized, and hold a full UK driving licence. The position offers a permanent contract with a 34-hour workweek, generous benefits, and opportunities for career advancement.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Free parking

Employee Assistance Programme

Local Government Pension Scheme

Life Assurance

Lease car salary sacrifice scheme

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to manage security concerns efficiently.
• Understanding of relevant legislation.
• Prepared to work outside traditional office hours.

Responsibilities

• Locking and unlocking premises as required.
• Responding to alarms and conducting site patrols.
• Attending on emergency call‑outs and inspections at client sites.

Skills

Good communication skills

Problem-solving skills

Organizational skills

Ability to work under pressure

Self-motivated

Education

Full UK driving licence

Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence

Job description

About the role

An exciting opportunity has arisen to join the Community Safety Unit within the Control Centre Services Team as we continue to expand within our Commercial Section.

The Response Unit

Our Response Unit aims to deliver a high standard of customer service by patrolling across multiple client sites. The role of Response Officer requires a high level of vigilance, problem‑solving skills, and the ability to manage security concerns efficiently. You will be responsible for locking and unlocking premises, responding to alarms and conducting site patrols as required.

Control Centre Operations

The team also supports the successful delivery within the control centre operations, which includes monitoring our Public Space and Commercial Clients CCTV. They maintain good communication channels with internal and external stakeholders.

Position Details

This is a permanent position, working full time, 34 hours per week on a rotating 4‑days‑on/4‑days‑off pattern to include weekends and Bank Holidays.

About Swale Borough Council

Swale Borough Council is a progressive and ambitious Local Authority, located less than an hour from Central London in an attractive and diverse part of Kent involving urban, rural, and coastal areas. We believe that staff are our most valuable asset and are committed to attracting and retaining the very best. In recent times we have adapted and evolved to meet the current world by introducing a highly flexible hybrid working policy, along with a 34‑hour week, recognising that staff wellbeing and work‑life balance is high on our agenda.

Our Offer

A range of benefits including:

• Generous holiday entitlement which increases after 5 years LG service plus bank holidays with the option to buy additional leave.
• Additional 3 days leave given to enable a close down of the offices between Christmas and New Year.
• Free parking.
• Invitations to staff events to celebrate success and support wellbeing that include holistic therapies and outdoor activities.
• Employee Assistance Programme which provides confidential & independent information and access to counsellors.
• Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) with valuable life cover and financial protection for your family.
• Life Assurance – three times your annual salary (for members of the LGPS).
• Season Ticket Loan – to help with the cost of your rail/bus journey to & from work.
• Lease car salary sacrifice scheme allowing you to lease a brand‑new car. The monthly fee includes insurance, servicing and road tax.
• Annual flu vaccine.
• Cycle to work scheme.
• Staff benefits discounts on leisure, eating out, holidays and shopping.
• Excellent learning and career opportunities for committed individuals.
• A professional fee payment, if required for the role.

About You

As a Response Officer, you will join a new and crucial team who respond to our client sites on emergency call‑outs and attend on agreed times to undertake inspections.

We are looking for an enthusiastic, organised, and resourceful individual who enjoys a challenge and works well under pressure. A self‑motivated individual who can work alone but also part of a team.

You will have good communication skills and an understanding of relevant legislation. You will also need to have a full UK driving licence and access to your own vehicle as well as Council vehicles for travel around the borough, and be prepared to work outside of traditional office hours.

Selection Process

Following the submission of your application form, it will be reviewed by the recruiting manager. Those that are successful in securing an interview can expect job‑specific interview assessment, followed by an interview.

A basic DBS Check and Kent Police Vetting is required for this post. You must also hold, or be prepared to achieve, a Security Industry Authority (SIA) Licence.

Swale Borough Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and volunteers to share this commitment.

Contact

If you would like to discuss this position, please contact Caroline Shrubsall, Control Centre Supervisor on 01795 417754 or [e-mail].

Additional Information

Job Description and Person Specification: https://docs.maidstone.gov.uk/jobs/Response-Officer-SBC-JDPS-April-2025.pdf

Interview Date: Thursday 15th January 2026