We are currently recruiting for Border Force Officer roles to join our teams across the UK. Border Force Officers protect UK citizens from all prohibited, counterfeit, and illegal goods passing through the Border. There are many exciting and varied roles that range from passenger interaction to examination of goods entering the country through the aviation, maritime and postal modes.

As a Border Force Officer, you may be involved in activities ranging from:

• Operating immigration and customs controls at points of entry to the UK, checking passengers have the correct permissions and documentation to enter
• Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare, and referring to the appropriate agencies
• Interviewing passengers, undertaking investigations, and making decisions on whether they qualify for entry to the UK under the immigration rules
• Identifying and searching people, goods, and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed
• Using law enforcement powers to arrest people involved in border offences, preserving evidence, managing the detention of individuals, and liaising with other law enforcement partners
• Managing international trade at the border, examining goods and processing documentation

Working Hours

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts (from 0500 hours), late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Driving Licence

For this role it is desirable to have a full valid UK driving licence, either manual or automatic (not provisional).

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 for these roles (£29,000 for Gatwick, £32,000 for London).

As a Border Force Officer, you will also be eligible for an Annual Hours Allowance (AHA) to compensate for working the shift patterns outlined in the Working Patterns section, above. Shifts can vary in length and can be up to 12 hours; shifts can be changed or extended according to business need.

The rate payable is dependent on location and role and is indicative of the shift pattern you will be required to work. The higher the AHA, the more flexible you will be required to be.

Training and Development

You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place initially in the ‘classroom’ and then continues ‘on the job’ with a mentor who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone: you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support.

Training for frontline Border Force Officers will include teaching skills in personal safety and control plus restraint techniques to keep you and your team colleagues safe. This Personal Safety Training (PST) requires physical activity and physical contact with the other delegates. You will be required to complete a health declaration in advance and, if necessary, attend a medical examination. A formal job offer cannot be made if you do not have the level of physical fitness needed to undertake and pass the training. This training is refreshed annually.

Officers undergo initial training lasting five weeks. You will be allocated to a training hub near Heathrow, Manchester, Folkestone, Stansted, Tilbury, Gatwick or local to your home port depending on the size of the location and number of new entrants. If you do not live within a reasonable commutable distance to one of our training locations, there may be a requirement for some overnight stays. Travel and accommodation costs will be paid by Border Force.

Training takes place Monday to Friday and does not require shift working. No Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) is payable during the initial 5-week period of training. For internal candidates already in receipt of AHA, payment of the allowance will continue during the period of initial training.

Border Force Officer - Queens Warehouse

When restricted items or goods are seized, they become ‘forfeit to the Crown’ and are securely stored in the Queens Warehouse (QW).

As a Border Force Officer within the QW, you will play a crucial role in upholding the security of the border through a network of facilities for the storage of goods that have been detained or seized by Border Force and partner law enforcement agencies.

You will be involved in the following types of activity:

• Working closely with key internal and external partners including Border Force, HMRC, National Crime Agency (NCA) and external contractors employed to store, move and dispose of seized goods.
• Manual handling of goods (up to 10kg) within a warehouse setting (equipment is provided for handling items in excess of 10kg).
• Line management of Administrative Officers, including HR, finance, and personal development.
• Working with front line Border Force Officers to resolve complex queries on the correct storage and disposals of prohibited seized goods.
• Resolving issues concerning ePMS (Electronic Property Management System) reviews to ensure efficient and effective stock control and warehouse management of seized goods for timely disposals and ensure Assistant Officers are following agreed processes for retaining seized goods and progressing to timely disposal with Case Officers.
• Opening and closing of the site and undertaking key holder duties.
• Attending contractor sites and witnessing disposals of seized goods.
• Co-ordinating, planning and attending weekly meetings with internal partners to arrange disposals and highlight, escalate and resolve issues concerning external contractors.
• Conduct team briefings, lead on tasking and co-ordination of daily of duties within the warehouse.

Working Hours

The shifts will cover the hours of 0600-2300 hours Monday to Friday and 0730-1600 hours on Saturday and Sundays and Public Holidays. There is no requirement for night shifts.

Driving Licence

For these roles it is essential to have a full valid UK driving licence, either manual or automatic (not provisional). You must have this driving licence with you at the time of interview as you will be required to present it to demonstrate your eligibility. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 for this role, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 17.58%, which equates to an additional £4,922 pa based on ‘national’ salary minimum.

Border Force Officer - National Post-Seizure Unit

The Border Force National Post-Seizure Unit (NPSU) is a national unit based in Plymouth, which is part of Border Force South Region. This Region covers aviation and maritime locations and, as well as Gatwick, is also responsible for securing the border at Newhaven, Bristol, Exeter, Cardiff, Fishguard, Pembroke, Southampton, Portsmouth, Poole, Bournemouth, Plymouth and Newquay.

The National Post-Seizure Unit has responsibility for processing all requests regarding items seized by Border Force operational teams across the UK. The unit deals with over 3,000 cases and 5,000 telephone queries each year.

The work is dynamic, fast paced and varied and NPSU Officers’ primary responsibility is to assess and make decisions on whether to return goods seized by Border Force operational teams across the UK. Whilst this role is predominately an administrative and case working role undertaken within office hours Monday to Friday, some weekend and shift working is required to support frontline operations at airports or seaports during busy periods.

The ever changing, varied and important nature of the work protecting the UK economy, and the wide range of people that officers work with on a daily basis, makes NPSU a rewarding and exciting place to work.

You may be involved in the following types of activity:

• Undertaking research to make decisions on seized items, ensuring the correct interpretation and application of Border Force and HM Revenue and Customs policies and legislation.
• Providing written responses to individuals, companies and legal representatives and dealing with telephone enquiries.
• Giving advice and guidance to colleagues on matters relating to post-seizure work.
• Establishing and maintaining good working relationships with a wide variety of stakeholders, including Border Force operational teams, Queen’s Warehouse, Border Force Policy, and other agencies, including HM Revenue and Customs, the National Crime Agency and the Police.
• Working as part of the wider NPSU team to identify areas of potential weakness in Border Force operations or policy and providing information and support to help drive improvement.
• Operating immigration and customs controls at points of entry to the UK, checking passengers have the correct permissions and documentation to enter.
• Identifying and searching people, goods, and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
• Using law enforcement powers to arrest people involved in border offences, preserving evidence, managing the detention of individuals, and liaising with other law enforcement partners.

Working Hours

As mentioned above, whilst this role is predominately an administrative and case working role undertaken within office hours Monday to Friday, some weekend and shift working is required to support frontline operations at airports or seaports during busy periods.

Driving Licence

For these roles it is desirable to have a full valid UK driving licence, either manual or automatic (not provisional). Please be aware that successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 for this role, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 16.14%, which equates to an additional £4,519 pa based on salary minimum.

As a Landside Officer in the Small Boats Operational Command (SBOC), your main responsibility will be the initial processing of people arriving in small boats. This is a crucial element of our border security and the ‘Saving of Lives at Sea’ operation. The role can be demanding, and it requires candidates to have both personal resilience and integrity.

Your role will involve:

• Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare, seeking medical attention where needed and referring to appropriate agencies.
• Operating immigration and customs controls to check passenger permissions and documentation (Small Boats Operating Command site specific).
• Interviewing people arriving on small boats and undertaking investigations.
• Conducting casework and dealing with associated queries, ensuring arrangements are made to issue documentation following a decision to detain, refuse entry or remove an individual.
• Undertaking high visibility detection patrols, engagement and visibility visits to other maritime and high-risk locations.
• Arresting offenders, preserving evidence, managing detention and liaising with other stakeholders and law enforcement partners.
• Undertaking physical searches of freight.
• Contributing to the collection of information to inform the development of intelligence products.

Please be aware that you may be deployed at short notice on shifts that will vary in length and time according to operational need. On occasion this may involve overnight stays. Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts (from 0500 hours), late night finishes and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

The primary workplace for these roles is Ramsgate (Manston) although you could be based in other Kent locations. Official vehicles will be available to enable travel if required. When not required for small boat operations, the teams are likely to be deployed on priority work at other ports.

Working Hours

As mentioned above, you may be deployed at short notice on shifts that will vary in length and time according to operational need. On occasion this may involve overnight stays. Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts (from 0500 hours), late night finishes and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Driving Licence

For these roles it is essential to have a full valid manual or automatic UK driving licence (not provisional). You must be able to present it to demonstrate your eligibility. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 for this role, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 50% of salary, which equates to an additional £14,000 per annum based on salary minimum.

Border Force Apprentice - National

Apprenticeships are designed to strengthen capability in the Civil Service by developing skilled professionals in priority areas. They provide a unique opportunity to combine formal learning and development with on-the-job experience. The apprenticeship qualification is transferable across the Home Office and is not just specific to Border Force.

This apprenticeship offers you a fantastic opportunity to learn, earn and develop your skills. If successful, you will be joining colleagues in the Operational Delivery Profession across Government who have the vital job of keeping the UK running and make a real difference to people's lives.

This role gives you an opportunity to:

• Be able to positively affect some of the challenges facing the UK today.
• Gain nationally recognised qualifications including Level 3 Award in Operational Delivery.
• Develop a wide range of skills and experience that will prepare you for a career both inside and outside the Civil Service.

Apprenticeships take up to 18 months to complete and include a period of probation. You will join the Home Office on a permanent contract.

You may be involved in the following types of activity:

• Undertaking checks and research on IT systems to identify people or vehicles of interest.
• Conducting searches on people, goods (including freight and postal), and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
• Using law enforcement powers to assist in the arrest and detention of people involved in border offences, preserving evidence, and liaising with law enforcement partners.
• Work involved in International Trade; processing and recording documentation, investigating errors, and responding to complaints.
• Using and gathering intelligence to inform activity.
• Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare, and referring to the appropriate agencies.
• Supporting wider frontline Border Force activity in its operational and corporate functions; recruitment, training, finance etc.
• Work involved in International Trade; processing and recording documentation, investigating errors and responding to complaints.
• Using and gathering intelligence to inform activity.
• Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare and referring to the appropriate agencies.
• Supporting wider frontline Border Force activity in its operational and corporate functions; recruitment, training, finance etc.

Working Hours

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts (from 0500 hours), late night finishes and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Driving Licence

A valid full UK Driving Licence is desirable.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £24,800 for these roles (£25,800 for Gatwick, £28,800 for London), plus Annualised Hours Allowance of between 21.66% and 43.66% of salary depending on location, which equates to an additional £5,371 to £10,827 per annum based on ‘national’ minimum salary.

Training

You will receive full training and support to do the job. This includes supporting you to gain nationally recognised qualifications, including a Level 3 Award in Operational Delivery, and providing you with opportunities to develop a wide range of skills and experience that will prepare you for a career both inside and outside the Civil Service.

Role-specific training takes place initially in the ‘classroom’ and then continues ‘on the job’ with a mentor and support from your manager and colleagues until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone: you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support.

Training for frontline Border Force Apprentices (excluding those based at Queens Warehouse) will include teaching skills in personal safety and control plus restraint techniques to keep you and your team colleagues safe. This Personal Safety Training (PST) requires physical activity and physical contact with the other delegates. You will be required to complete a health declaration in advance and, if necessary, attend a medical examination. A formal job offer cannot be made if you do not have the level of physical fitness needed to undertake and pass the training. This training is refreshed annually.

This initial training will last for five weeks and is crucial to prepare you for your initial career as a Border Force Apprentice. You will be allocated to a training hub near Heathrow, Manchester, Folkestone, Stansted, Tilbury, Gatwick or local to your home port depending on the size of the location and number of new entrants. If you do not live within a reasonable commutable distance to one of our training locations, there may be a requirement for some overnight stays. Travel and accommodation costs will be paid by Border Force.

Training takes place Monday to Friday and does not require shift working. No Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) is payable during the initial 5-week period of training. For internal candidates already in receipt of AHA, payment of the allowance will continue during the period of initial training.

Border Force Apprentice - Queens Warehouse

In addition to the Border Force Apprentice – National roles, we are also recruiting for apprentices to be based at the Queens Warehouse, in Old Park Barracks, Dover. This role is described below.

When restricted items or goods are seized, they become ‘forfeit to the Crown’ and are securely stored in the Queens Warehouse (QW).

As a Border Force Apprentice within the QW, you will play a crucial role in upholding the security of the border through a network of facilities for the storage of goods that have been detained or seized by Border Force and partner law enforcement agencies.

You will be involved in the following types of activity:

• Working closely with key internal and external partners including Border Force, HMRC, National Crime Agency (NCA) and external contractors employed to store, move and dispose of seized goods.
• Manual handling of goods (up to 10kg) within a warehouse setting (equipment is provided for handling items in excess of 10kg).
• Supporting Border Force Officer’s with their case load and assisting them to resolve complex queries on the correct storage and disposals of prohibited seized goods.
• Resolving issues concerning ePMS (Electronic Property Management System) reviews to ensure efficient and effective stock control and warehouse management of seized goods for timely disposals.
• Attending contractor sites and witnessing disposals of seized goods.
• Supporting the co-ordination and planning of weekly meetings. Attending with internal partners to arrange disposals and assist in resolving issues concerning external contractors.

You may be required to carry out other duties within the scope of your grade and within the limits of your skill, competence, and training.

Working Hours

The shifts will cover the hours of 0600-2300 hours Monday to Friday and 0730-1600 hours on Saturday and Sundays and Public Holidays. There is no requirement for night shifts.

Driving Licence

Whilst not essential for this location, it is desirable to have a full valid UK driving licence. Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts (from 0600 hours), late finishes (up to 2300 hours) and overnight stays, dependant on business need. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £24,800 for these roles, plus Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 17.58%, which equates to an additional £4,359 pa based on ‘national’ salary minimum.

Border Force check all passengers and freight arriving in the UK by air and sea and conduct intelligence-led searches for prohibited, counterfeit or restricted goods such as drugs, firearms, weapons, cash, tobacco, and alcohol. We also support the department’s wider agenda in high-profile areas such as counter terrorism, tackling organised crime, modern slavery, and human trafficking. This is some of the most important and challenging work in Government and its impact can be felt in communities across the UK.

You may be involved in the following types of activity:

• Operating immigration and customs controls at points of entry to the UK, checking passengers have the correct permissions and documentation to enter.
• Identifying vulnerable adults and children, prioritising their safety and welfare, and referring to the appropriate agencies.
• Interviewing passengers, undertaking investigations, and making decisions on whether they qualify for entry to the UK or fall to be refused under the immigration rules.
• Identifying and searching people, goods, and vehicles to establish if a customs offence has been committed.
• Using law enforcement powers to arrest people involved in border offences, preserving evidence, managing the detention of individuals, and liaising with other law enforcement partners.

Border Force - Border Force Officer, Part-time Luton

The part-time Border Force Officer roles available are as follows:

Luton Airport

Successful candidates for these roles will work Monday to Friday only, 07.00-11.00, to include working Public Holidays, for 20 hours per week. These are shifts lasting 4 hours although some extensions or changes may be required. The Annualised Hours Allowance for these roles is approx. 4.56%.

Necessary training and upskilling will take place and on appointment this will include as a minimum four-week full-time initial training (three- week classroom training plus one week of Personal Safety Training) plus on-the-job mentoring for at least three further weeks.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 (pro-rata) for these roles, plus Annualised Hours Allowances of approx. 4.56% which equates to approx. £1,276 per annum (pro rata) based on salary minimum.

Border Force Officer - Part-time Part Year

These roles are based at Stansted Airport.

Successful candidates for these roles will work a contracted total of 450 hours a year over 21 weeks during seasonal peaks. This will be a part-time pattern of shifts, each lasting up to 10 hours. An example shift pattern is provided in the Candidate Pack, but your exact shift pattern will likely vary from this. You will be expected to work the full range of shifts including Early, Mid, Late and Night shifts across all 7 days of the week from Sunday to Saturday following a rotating 7-week pattern.

The majority of the 21 weeks you will be expected to work will be in the months of May, June, July, August and September. You will also be required to work during other peak periods that include Christmas, Easter and school half term holiday weeks. To help you fulfil the part-time contract, you will work with the resourcing team to plan in advance the shifts within the rostered pattern of attendance that you will work to meet the business need.

Necessary training and upskilling will take place within your allocated 21 weeks of work. On appointment this will include as a minimum four-week full-time initial training (three weeks classroom training plus one week of Personal Safety Training) plus on-the-job mentoring for at least three further weeks. Further information about training can be found in the Candidate Pack.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 (pro-rata) for these roles, plus Annualised Hours Allowance of up to 42.2% of salary, which equates to up to £11,816 per annum (pro rata) based on salary minimum.

Border Force Officer - Full-time Part Year

These roles are based at Stansted Airport and East Midlands Airport

Stansted Airport – Full-time, 21 weeks, part year contract

Successful candidates for these roles will work a contracted total of 900 hours a year over 21 weeks during seasonal peaks. This will be a pattern of shifts, each lasting up to 10 hours. An example shift pattern is provided in the Candidate Information Pack, but your exact shift pattern will likely vary from this. You will be expected to work the full range of shifts including Early, Mid, Late and Night shifts across all 7 days of the week from Sunday to Saturday following a rotating 7-week pattern.

This contract attracts an Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 42.2%. For further information on AHA, please see the candidate information pack.

East Midlands Airport – Full-time, 20 weeks, part year contract

Successful candidates for these roles will work a contracted total of 965 hours a year over 20 weeks during seasonal peaks. This will be a pattern of shifts, each lasting up to 10 hours. An example shift pattern is provided in the Candidate Information Pack, but your exact shift pattern will likely vary from this. You will be expected to work the full range of shifts including Early, Mid, Late and Night shifts across all 7 days of the week from Sunday to Saturday following a rotating 7-week pattern.

This contract attracts an Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 39.51%. For further information on AHA, please see the candidate information pack.

For both Part Year contracts, the majority of the weeks you will be expected to work will be in the months of May, June, July, August and September. You will also be required to work during other peak periods that include Christmas, Easter and school half term holiday weeks. To help you fulfil the part-time contract, you will work with the resourcing team to plan in advance the shifts within the rostered pattern of attendance that you will work to meet the business need.

For both Part Year contracts, necessary training and upskilling will take place within your allocated weeks of work. On appointment this will include as a minimum four-week full-time initial training (three weeks classroom training plus one week of Personal Safety Training) plus on-the-job mentoring for at least three further weeks. Further information about training can be found in the candidate information pack.

Pay and Allowances

Those new to the Civil Service will have a starting salary of £28,000 (pro-rata) for these roles, plus Annualised Hours Allowance of between 39.51% and 42.2% of salary, which equates to between £11,062 and £11,816 per annum (pro rata) based on salary minimum.