Border Force officer Jobs

Officers of the Border Force are responsible for defending the United Kingdom against a variety of dangers, including terrorism, smuggling, fraud, organized crime, human trafficking, and the unlawful trade in products like as drugs and endangered animals.

As an officer in the Border Force, you will be a member of a frontline law enforcement organization. You will be entrusted with the duty of protecting the safety and security of the United Kingdom's border around the clock, seven days a week. The role entails patrolling the entrance and departure points of the United Kingdom, such as the shoreline, rail lines, and airports, and identifying potential threats by making use of one's expertise and intuition while keeping an eye on individuals and the objects they carry.

You will inspect bags, cars, and cargo as necessary, using the power you have been given to question travelers who seem to be acting suspiciously. In the event that problems emerge, you will notify the security services about persons of interest and utilize the information you have obtained about potential dangers to assist them.

Responsibilities

In order to become an officer in the Border Patrol, you will need to:

Passports and other forms of identification of all travelers coming by sea, air, or train should be checked for the purpose of immigration control as well as to discover and intercept illegal products.

Inquire of travellers the reasons for their trip to the UK as well as the activities they have planned while they are there.

People, their belongings, automobiles, buses, and freight trucks may be searched for illegal things (such as narcotics, counterfeit products, currency, cigarettes, guns, or endangered plants or animals) when they enter or leave the nation.

Enforce the laws and regulations, which may include seizing certain commodities or making arrangements for the detention of illegal immigrants.

Please let other organizations know about your concerns, such as the police, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), the National Crime Agency (NCA), and UK Visas and Immigration.

Additionally, you could:

Use dogs trained to sniff out hidden goods so that you may find them.

boat patrols of the shoreline should be performed.

offer testimony in the legal proceeding.

specializing in areas such as the fight against terrorism, organized crime, contemporary slavery, and trafficking in human beings

rather than working at a single location, you will be responsible for several locations, including those located abroad.

have accountability for the Border Patrol assistant officers under your direct supervision.

Salary

Apprentices in the Border Force earn salaries of around £21,431 per year on average.

You have the potential to earn between £24,883 and £27,372 annually if you work for the Border Force.

The annual salary range for senior officers in the Border Force is between £37,450 and £41,193.

Your location (for example, earnings in London are greater than the national average), the particular type of the function you fill, as well as your level of expertise, all play a role in determining your compensation. Check out the job postings to get the most recent wage information.

You will be eligible for additional compensation in exchange for working shifts and unsocial hours.

The monetary amounts listed are just meant to serve as a reference point.

Time spent working

Because the Border Patrol is active around the clock, 365 days a year, 24 hours a day, you may expect to work a variety of shifts. These shifts may require you to start early in the morning and continue working well into the night. You will also be required to work on a rotational basis throughout the weekends and on public holidays.

You should expect to put in an average of 37 hours of work per week. There is a possibility that shifts might last up to 12 hours.

There are a few openings available for those who are looking for employment on a part-time or shared basis.

What may be anticipated

You will most likely be stationed at one of the airports or ports located around the UK; however, there is a possibility that you could be given the chance to work at one of the important entrance ports located in a location outside of the UK, such as Coquelles (where Border Force has juxtaposed controls).

You will often be required to wear a uniform, which must be worn appropriately in addition to being spotless and presented in a neat manner.

The task may be strenuous on the body, and it often takes place in natural settings.

Because of the nature of the profession, the function that you play at times might be difficult, and you will likely be under a lot of pressure.

Your position will be filled with a lot of variation since Border Force personnel and members of the general public come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and you will interact with both.

Qualifications

You need a minimum of two A-levels with grades of E or above in order to attend the officer training program as an external applicant (or equivalent qualifications including formal and vocational training).

Even if you don't have all of the required credentials, you could still be eligible to apply for the job if you have experience in a field like security, regulation, or investigation that has abilities that are transferable to the position of a Border Patrol officer. Some examples of this kind of job include earlier stints with the Border Patrol, investigations of immigration cases, fraud, and revenue compliance.

It is also feasible to join the Border Patrol as an assistant officer and work one's way up to a full-fledged officer position.

You also have the option of becoming a Border Force Apprentice, in which case you would work, learn, and earn while on the job. You are going to require GCSEs in both mathematics and English (or equivalent). You will get a Level 3 Award in Operational Delivery if you choose to participate in the apprenticeship program.

Even while having a degree is not absolutely necessary to become a Border Patrol agent, those who have completed their education in any field are encouraged to apply. It's possible that the following topics will be very helpful:

criminology

psychology

public services

law.

The following are some of the extra conditions that must be met:

nationality: you need to be a citizen of the United Kingdom and have a passport that is both complete and valid, or you need to produce an alternative form of proof that you are a citizen of the United Kingdom in accordance with the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

residency requirements include having spent the majority of the preceding five years based in the UK.

age: You need to be at least 18 years old to participate.

health - You will be required to disclose any health problems you have and may also be subject to a medical checkup.

You will be subjected to a comprehensive investigation of your past as well as a security check.

You need to have a valid full driving license from the UK.

The prerequisites for entry might change based on a variety of circumstances, such as the precise nature of the employment, the location, and any specialized work that will be needed. It is essential that you thoroughly read the job advertisement as well as the applicant pack before submitting an application for the position.

Regardless of whatever path you decide to take, throughout the selection process, you will normally be evaluated using Success Profiles, the new recruiting framework utilized within the Civil Service. These profiles encompass your behaviors, skills, abilities, and experiences.

Skills

You will require:

excellent observational abilities, with the ability to identify odd or suspicious behavior.

good communication abilities for the purpose of getting data from travelers.

To find pleasure in engaging in conversation with one's coworkers, members of the public, and other external stakeholders.

attention to detail and a methodical way of going about things

a capacity for the analysis of data, the resolution of issues, and the formulation of judgments

abilities in interpersonal communication that allow one to successfully interact with members of the public who may be intentionally dishonest or who may appear in a variety of emotional states, such as feeling nervous, agitated, or hostile.

the capacity to maintain composure, exhibit tact, and behave respectfully under difficult circumstances, particularly those in which other individuals are upset or hostile.

a robust sense of one's own ethics and integrity on a personal level

experience working as part of a team and providing assistance to coworkers and other team members in order to achieve essential results

the capacity to organize, work with others, and complete projects under tight time constraints.

decision-making abilities and excellent discernment

talents in data entry and writing that allow you to maintain accurate records of your job.

should have a working knowledge of how to use a computer or other hand-held device for simple activities.

to be able to adapt one's working style to changing priorities often.

a complete driving licence.

Practice in the workplace

The Border Force does not demand a certain sort of work experience; thus, all forms of experience that help you to build the necessary abilities for the job are beneficial. The Border Force does not ask for specific work experience.

However, there are certain kinds of experience that might give you an advantage, such as working in security or getting involved in armed forces experiences like the Reserves or joining the Army, Navy, or RAF Air Cadets. If you have these kinds of experience, you might have an easier time finding a job. In a similar vein, having previous experience working as a special constable or a police community support officer would provide a robust set of abilities that are easily transferrable.

Experience working at ports, railways, or airports would be very beneficial, as there is a vast array of employment opportunities available in these centres of activity, including working in retail or hospitality outlets, as a travel consultant, or as a luggage handler. There is always the possibility of finding employment over the summer or working part-time throughout the school year.

Any experience that overlaps with the job that Border Force officers do, such as immigration, fraud investigation, enforcing rules, and customs, will be advantageous. Examples of this include customs and regulations enforcement.

Find out more information on the many types of work experience and internships that are currently offered.

Employers

Officers of the Border Force are hired by the Home Office, which is a component of the Border Force. They operate in the United Kingdom's 140 ports and airports, as well as those in other countries. Officers are also employed at ports for general aviation, mail depots, and international rail networks. This covers travel on the Eurostar from Brussels and Paris to the St. Pancras International station as well as travel on the Eurotunnel from Coquelles to Cheriton. Learn more about the Border Patrol by doing some research.

Try looking for employment opportunities at:

Searching for jobs in the Civil Service You could discover openings on other websites, but you must submit your application via the Civil Service website.

Improvement of one's profession

You will be put through a regimented training program as soon as you are hired on with the Border Patrol, and you will need to do well in this training in order to be allowed to work for the Border Patrol.

You will begin by gaining knowledge on the laws, processes, and your own personal safety, as well as how you will use your authority. After you have an understanding of the theory, you will begin to put it into practice in a secure setting, first with trainers and later in operational areas. Once you have this, you will go on to the next step.

In most cases, training will include the following three components:

pre-course learning

instruction given in a classroom

mentorship.

You will concentrate on immigration and customs law that is relevant to your position and the environment in which you operate. The training will be broken up into modules, and there will be tests at certain points during the program. Throughout the process, you will have assistance from your management as well as mentors, friends, and coworkers.

In most cases, you will also be required to get a Personal Safety Training (PST) Level 3 certificate. This qualification helps you strengthen your abilities in personal safety procedures, as well as arrest and restraint methods.

When you have successfully finished the training program and your probationary term, you will be given the full duties of a Border Patrol officer.

Throughout the entirety of your career, you will be required to maintain current training skills. Depending on the function you play, you could have the option to participate in specialized training as your career progresses further along.

Prospects for one's career

You may advance your career in the Border Patrol and become a senior officer if you have the necessary experience and skills. You will normally be responsible for the supervision of other Border Patrol personnel and/or certain initiatives once you reach this level. There is a possibility that you will also be responsible for managing the budget and the recruiting process.

There is also the possibility of moving into a training role and instructing newly sworn-in Border Patrol agents in the proper way to do their duties.

If you are prepared to move throughout the nation for work, you will have a greater number of prospects for advancement. In addition to this, one might choose to specialize in a specific field of labor.

You may also have the opportunity to transfer to other departments within the Home Office or the broader Civil Service; however, in order to be eligible for some roles, you may be required to get further qualifications and training. There is also a relationship with other responsibilities that are comparable to this one in the police, the ministry of defense (MoD), the armed forces, MI5, the united nations (UN), and other roles that are concerned with national security.