Vetting Officer

Scotland; Stirling; Hybrid; GBP 30,000 - 44,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

FT/PT shift patterns

28 days annual leave

LGPS pension

Ongoing training

Career progression

Wellbeing support

Discounts network

Job summary

Police Scotland is seeking a Vetting Officer to join the Force Vetting Unit to safeguard the organisation by ensuring vetting for officers, staff and non-police personnel with access to sensitive assets is completed in line with legislation and policies.

You will conduct background checks, assess information from ICT systems, prepare detailed reports for ratification, and undertake vetting interviews. Hybrid work is available after onboarding (3 days in-office, 2 at home).

Qualifications

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong, confident decision-making skills.
• Ability to assess and analyse information from a wide range of sources to make evidence-based decisions.
• Ability to prioritise work and manage multiple vetting case files effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure with meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven analytical skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to communicate at all levels and engage with the public, internal departments and external organisations.

Responsibilities

• Gather data from databases and external organisations regarding staff, appointees, and non-police personnel for vetting posts.
• Interrogate multiple systems to investigate, evaluate, and interpret information and intelligence and perform risk-based assessments.
• Produce written reports on vetting results for ratification by the Senior Vetting Officer.
• Prepare and conduct vetting interviews to obtain accurate information for fair decisions.
• Extract and identify gaps in information from various sources and report findings.
• Identify matters relevant to vetting that may pose threats to security and integrity.
• Apply risk-based decisions on vetting clearances.
• Ensure compliance with legislative measures and complete core-training courses.

Skills

Excellent written and verbal comms

Strong decision-making

Analytical skills

Ability to work under pressure

Computer literacy

Stakeholder engagement

Tools

ICT systems

Job description

Dalmarnock, Force Training and Recruitment Centre Jackton, Stirling Randolphfield

Department Force Vetting Unit

Please note, if this is a paid role and the role is part time then the salary quoted will be pro rata based on the hours worked per annum.

Job advert

About the Role

An opportunity has arisen to join the Police Scotland Force Vetting Unit as a Vetting Officer in a fast-paced environment. Supporting the Force Vetting Manager, you will help safeguard the organisation by ensuring all vetting for police officers, police staff, and non-police personnel with access to sensitive assets is completed in alignment with relevant legislation, policies, and processes.

In this role you will undertake vetting checks regarding police officers and police staff seeking to join Police Scotland and reviews of vetting clearances for those already in role. The successful candidate will also undertake vetting checks of (suppliers) and non-police personnel working in a police environment or have access to sensitive police assets. Specifically, you will conduct background research through a range of ICT systems to ensure suitability and integrity to work in law enforcement. In the role you will identify, assess, and manage risk relating to individuals and their associates to ascertain an understanding of their wider life circumstances.

Full training and mentorship will be provided to build on your inquisitive mindset. The successful candidate is required to obtain police vetting clearance at MV (Management Vetting) and national security clearance at SC (Security Check) levels.

Please note: Hybrid working will be (3 days in-office, 2 at home) however this is available after an initial 3-6 month in-office onboarding and training period, due to the nature of the role and access to sensitive information.

Key Responsibilities

• Gather all relevant data from available sources, including computer databases and external organisations, regarding the private and professional life, financial affairs, employment history, and associations of staff, potential appointees, and Non-Police Personnel Vetting to posts requiring vetting.
• Interrogate multiple systems to investigate, evaluate, and interpret information and intelligence relating to applicants, analysing that information and making risk-based assessments on any issues that arise during these investigations.
• Produce accurate and detailed written reports on results of vetting procedures and decisions for ratification by the Senior Vetting Officer.
• Prepare, arrange, and conduct vetting interviews, enquiries and report on same when appropriate. This is to ascertain the most accurate information to ensure that a fair and consistent vetting decision can be reached.
• Ability to extract, analyse, and identify any gaps in information from several sources and provide detailed reports of their findings.

• Identify and assess any matter relevant to vetting which may arise and poses a potential threat to the security and integrity of Police Scotland.
• Apply problem-solving skills using all available resources in order to risk assess and make decisions on vetting clearances being granted or declined.
• Ensure that the vetting process adheres to legislative measures.
• Attend and pass core-training courses, maintain an awareness of developments, and attend subsequent training courses as required.

Candidate Requirements & Preferences

Preference will go to candidates who can demonstrate the following:

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills (essential).
• Strong, confident decision-making skills (essential).
• Ability to assess and analyse information from a wide range of sources to make evidence-based decisions.
• Ability to prioritise work and manage multiple vetting case files effectively.
• Ability to work under pressure with meticulous attention to detail.
• Proven analytical skills.
• Computer literacy.
• Ability to communicate at all levels of the organisation and regularly engage with members of the public, internal departments, and external organisations to facilitate vetting enquiries.

Why join us?

• Competitive salary with annual increments
• Full-time or part-time shift patterns
• 28 days annual leave and 6 public holidays (increases with service)
• Local government pension scheme for long-term security
• Ongoing training to develop your skills
• Opportunities for career progression and professional growth
• Comprehensive wellbeing support and dynamic work environment
• Exclusive discounts and savings through our rewards and benefits network

Every role in Police Scotland plays a part in Keeping People Safe.

This is an opportunity to join a national organisation serving communities across Scotland, where integrity, fairness and respect are at the heart of everything we do. Police Scotland serves over 5 million people across Scotland’s cities, towns, rural and island communities.

Our 2030 vision is for safer communities, less crime, supported victims and a thriving workforce. We are committed to equality, human rights and building a workforce that reflects the communities we serve.

You should have been resident in the UK for a minimum of fiveyears immediately prior to application for this role

Currently Police Scotland have guidance in place that allows appropriate roles to be operated on an agile basis, should you have an interest in working more flexibly then we would encourage your application.