The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, fire, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.
Border Force is a law enforcement arm of the Home Office. We are responsible for handling the UK border control by implementing immigration and customs regulations and working with the wider Home Office on counter terrorism, organised crime, modern slavery and trafficking. Learn more on the Border Force careers page.
This is a fantastic opportunity to be part of a team that both protects and enhances the UK economy. Our work is varied and rewarding, attracting people from all backgrounds and walks of life.
As a Border Force Officer at the frontline of our operation, your contributions will have a direct impact in delivering what the public expect from us. Your role at port will facilitate the clearance of passengers and goods from all over the world, representing the UK, while directly maintaining national Border Security in your role.
The role our Officers perform is dynamic, fast -paced and always evolving. You can expect to join a team where together we make a real difference to everyday life. Our work can be difficult and challenging but there will always be your team to support you throughout your career, not just the start. The part you play will be a fundamental aspect in how we maintain the security of the UK Border.
Our work is high profile within public interest as we deliver the Home Office’s wider policy agenda to keep our country safe and prosperous.
Border Security includes a wide range of systems that function in tandem to facilitate a world class border the public expects. Our intention is to enable the flow of passengers and goods quickly and effectively through the Primary Control entry points, while refusing entry to the UK when appropriate and required. This includes checking passengers to ensure travel and trade is optimal whilst ensuring our legal duties towards Customs, Freight, Immigration, Safeguarding are always upheld.
Our operational activity is intelligence-driven with searches for prohibited, counterfeit or restricted goods (such as drugs, firearms, weapons, cash, tobacco, and alcohol) as well as people of interest.
As a Border Force Officer, 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.
* If involved in International Trade, you will be responsible for the movement and clearance of imported and exported goods across a range of International Trade/Customs regimes and undertake post-detection action in respect of any irregularities identified.
As a Border Force Officer based in Holyhead you will have the opportunity to be involved in the full remit of Border Force’s operational law enforcement activities, with teams working at multiple locations covering immigration, customs, international trade and radionuclide screening. You will be based at the UK’s principal common travel area port and deal with high volumes of freight, foot and car passenger arrivals.
Holyhead is the second busiest roll-on-roll-off cargo port in the United Kingdom. The port is situated on the North Wales coast and is the principal crossing from North Wales and Northern England to Ireland.
This is a challenging post, in a high-profile location, where deployment priorities change frequently. You will be based at a key strategic location and perform a role that provides regular variety and involvement in some of Border Force’s key priorities such as counter terrorism, tackling human trafficking and safeguarding the vulnerable.
For more information about working for Border Force and to hear from some of our colleagues, please visit our careers website at Border Force - Home Office Careers.
Border Force North Region
Border Force North Region covers a large geographical area; it spans four countries, encompasses 78 ports and has responsibility for the land boundary between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland, and the UK’s busiest Common Travel Area route between Dublin and Holyhead. In the region there are 17 major airports, including the third largest in the UK in Manchester, eight large maritime ports, and the most dispersed general maritime and general aviation sites in the UK.
Working Pattern
We encourage applications from candidates who wish to work part-time; however, part-time opportunities cannot be guaranteed and are subject to the requirements of the role and business. Candidates wishing to work part-time should notify the vacancy holder as soon as a provisional offer of employment is made, to explore whether this can be accommodated at your selected location.
You must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submitting your application. You will be required to work between 22.00 and 06.00, so this is a legal requirement. For more information visit:
Training
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. Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.
Public and Personal Safety Training (PPST)
Depending on the location and the operational environment you will be required to work within, you will be required to undertake PPST either at a Level 2 (defensive and de-escalation techniques) or PPST Level 3 (which includes restraint & arrest techniques). This will teach you skills in personal safety and restraint techniques to keep you and your team colleagues safe. Both sets of training involve physical activity and physical contact with the other delegates.
Meet the team
If you want to learn more about these roles you can join one of our free online live events, during which you will hear from current Border Force staff about what the job is like, what opportunities and career prospects you will have and why the job matters. We will also talk about the recruitment and security vetting processes, and you’ll have the opportunity to ask questions from our friendly and experienced team members.
Register by clicking on the date and time you want to attend. There’s no requirement to attend in order to apply.
Wed, 4 Dec 2024 19:00 – Border Force Officer and Assistant Officer roles
Thu, 5 Dec 2024, 12:00 – Border Force Officer and Assistant Officer roles
Fri, 6 Dec 2024 19:00 - Specialist teams and Holyhead Officer
Sat, 7 Dec 2024, 12:00 – For candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme
Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme
Disability Confident
About Disability Confident
A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident .