TRADES AND SERVICES
It takes hundreds of staff to ensure SIS runs smoothly. From the Security officers keeping watch on our gates, the facilities operators maintaining our office from the floor up, the logistics specialists transporting supplies worldwide and the telephonists taking vital calls – every role contributes to the security and prosperity of the UK.
Our teams are known for their positive attitude, team spirit and loyalty. You don’t need to have formal qualifications, but previous work experience is helpful. In return for the energy and integrity you bring to SIS, we’ll give you the support you need to develop your career in whatever direction you choose, a work/life balance and a community of close-knit colleagues.
PROFILES
I grew up on the South Coast and after leaving school with one A-level, I joined a sports retail company as a weekend sales assistant. I worked there for a few years, eventually becoming a branch manager at different locations in Southern England.
But I soon began to realise that retail management wasn’t really for me. That was when I found out that SIS were looking for a security officer. It was something completely different from what I’d been doing before and offered the prospect of a life and a job that I could enjoy in London.
I learned a lot of skills working in retail that have been useful here, such as adaptability, teamwork and people management. The main one that’s helped me is teamwork, working closely with my own team on a regular basis. You get to know each team member’s strengths and weaknesses, which enables us to achieve our daily objectives.
I’ve been on a lot of training courses in my first year, from general training in being a security officer to more specific skills such as operating CCTV, search procedures and physical intervention. They’ve all been really useful in helping me to perform my job confidently and competently.
There’s been a lot to learn and I think the most difficult aspect of the job has been trying to remember so much important information about different situations that could occur. We work shifts, so the different things you have to think about vary depending on what shift you’re working. Something that may happen regularly for one guard may not have happened to you.
I’ve met a great bunch of people and get to work with most of them regularly. And although I haven’t had a chance to work abroad yet, that’s something I’m looking forward to.
Application Process
takes around
6 months
from start to finish
after each stage we'll assess your suitability before you go onto the next stage
you register online
www.sis.gov.uk/
we check your eligibility and qualifications
(if pass)
We invite you to fill out a full application form
you book your place on our assessment centre
you attend a one-day assessment centre
(if pass)
you receive a conditional job offer, dependent on passing security vetting
security vetting
(this takes on average 90 working days)
you complete an online medical questionnaire
you receive a formal job offer
Eligibility
Nationality
We protect British interests both at home and overseas. Because of this, to be eligible to apply you must be a British Citizen. If you hold dual nationality, of which one component is British, you will nonetheless be considered but you may be required to give up your non-British citizenship before you can take up employment with us. Each case will be carefully considered on its own facts.
Candidates must normally have been resident in the UK for seven out of the last ten years. This is particularly important if you were born outside the UK. You can apply from the age of 17 years. If successful, you will not be offered a start date prior to your 18th birthday.
Drug use
We have a strict no drugs policy which prohibits the use, possession or supply of illegal drugs, including the use of drugs that are illegal in the UK but are legal in some other countries. Misuse or abuse of prescribed medication or any other substance is also incompatible with holding security clearance, which can be refused or withdrawn if this policy is not observed, so you must adhere to our policy from the point of application onwards.
The point of application is the date you submit your application form.
You will be required to undergo a drug test during the application process.
Security clearance
When you join SIS, you’ll be given clearance relevant to your role. Some of our positions mean you’ll have access to a wide range of sensitive information. It’s paramount, for the safety of our organisation, our people and our country, that this information doesn’t get into the wrong hands. Because of this, you’ll have to pass our security clearance to the appropriate level. It’s a long process, up to three months in most cases. And it takes a very fair, in-depth and pretty intrusive look at your life, including your finances. So it’s important to be aware of this commitment before you apply, and be completely open and honest when you answer our security questions. If any details are concealed, your application can’t be taken forward.
Apply now
