Security Officer

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 32,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading educational institution in Newcastle is seeking a Security Officer to provide a customer-focused security service. You'll patrol the campus, assist in emergencies, and ensure safety for all. The role requires strong customer service skills, relevant qualifications, and a commitment to inclusivity. This position offers competitive pay with shift allowances and opportunities for development.

Benefits

Generous holiday package

Health and wellbeing initiatives

Pension schemes

Qualifications

• Experience in a customer-focused environment.
• Strong understanding of security legislation.
• Ability to work in a diverse environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide a customer focused security service to the university community.
• Assist in promoting security awareness.
• Daily foot patrol of the campus.

Skills

Customer service skills

Calm under pressure

Ability to embrace change

Education

Current Door Supervisor licence

First Aid at Work certificate

Full UK driving licence

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

Salary: £30,298 - £31,756 – this is based on £25,249 with progression to £26,707 per annum salary (with the additional shift allowance of 20% in addition to the relevant salary spine point).

Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits. We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 19 December 2025

The Role

To undertake all operational functions, within a 24/7 customer focused security service, including, but not limited to: patrolling, reception, parking control duties, security monitoring, surveillance, recording and reporting in order to protect the University Community as well as buildings and property; thereby providing a safe and secure environment for staff, students, contractors and visitors to the University. Duties will cover all buildings on the main campus and all remote teaching and accommodation sites.

We are a team of security professionals and between us we will carry out foot patrols covering our 50-acre campus and 100+ buildings across Newcastle city centre, supporting students, colleagues and visitors as needed and ensuring our spaces are kept safe.

We have developed an interactive Map showing the areas we cover and patrol and to give you some insight into the full breadth of the University campus. (https://ncl.ac.uk/students/campus_map/)

Our Security Team play a pivotal role in ensuring that our students, visitors and colleagues have a safe and enjoyable experience on campus. You will have the opportunity for development, and we will fund your SIA licence, and as stated previously we pay a 20% shift allowance on top of your basic salary. We promote a diverse culture, and our security officers are role models in exceptional customer service and professionalism.

Key Accountabilities

• Provide a customer focused security service to the university community.
• Prepare, maintain and submit security, and accommodation related reports, files and databases to enable effective investigation and solution of security related issues.
• Assist the Team Leader/Supervisor providing a first response to emergency situations, including liaison with external emergency services; in accordance with both University and Security regulations and procedures to minimise disruption to University operations.
• Daily foot patrol of the University's 50-acre campus in Newcastle city centre that comprises over 100 buildings.
• Regular reporting (both orally and in writing) any damage or breaches of security, noise complaints, defects and key issues, as necessary in accordance with laid down procedures.
• Effective monitoring and control of the University CCTV System and Digital Recording Management to ensure fair and lawful operation of the scheme in accordance with the University CCTV Code of Practice and Operating Instructions. Use Body Worn Video.
• Regulate the movement of traffic to and from University premises and car parks, issuing warning notices and parking charge notices in fair and impartial application of the University Parking Regulations.
• Act as first point of contact for students, staff and visitors, ensuring courteous and customer focussed assistance reflecting the best image of the University.
• Assist in promoting security awareness by offering crime prevention advice to staff and students in accordance with Security guidelines.
• Operate the University telephone exchange including correct use of the electronic directory to provide an out of hour’s service for university telephone enquiries.
• Report any concerns in respect of any Health and Safety issues to the Duty Team Leader/Supervisor.
• Work shifts to maintain 24/7 cover.
• Work a reasonable amount of overtime as and when required.
• Undertake other duties consistent with the post.

The Person (Essential)

• Act as a first response to situations on campus in a calm and professional manner.
• Liaise with stakeholders to report and manage cases effectively.
• Demonstrate strong customer service skills.
• Support a diverse student population from a wide range of cultural backgrounds.

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

• Working knowledge of legislation pertaining to a security role including GDPR, Equality and Diversity, Human Rights Act, H&S and powers of arrest.
• Knowledge of IT particularly data entry and retrieval, and Email, using Microsoft Office.
• Previous experience working in a customer focused environment, often as the first point of contact with the university community and general public.
• Experience dealing with emergent situations (flood, fire or offenders).

Attributes and Behaviour

• Ability to embrace change, in an evolving organisation, to the benefit of the university community.
• Use clear and concise communication at all levels within the university.
• Be able to operate on your own initiative or as part of a team.

Qualifications

• Hold a current Door Supervisor licence or be prepared to achieve one within your probation period (six months).
• Hold a current First Aid at Work certificate or be prepared to achieve it within your probation period (six months).
• Hold a full UK driving licence (manual).

Shifts

Our teams work from 07:00-19:00 on day shift (E) and 19:00-07:00 night shift (N). The shift pattern is a 4 week cycle as follows:

• Week 1: E, O, N
• Week 2: O, E, O
• Week 3: N, O, E
• Week 4: O, N, O

Employment & Inclusion

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

We hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 28889