Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Job Description
To represent the FCDO for both the UK Mission and British Consulate General in New York. This role encompasses both customer service and security skills and requires an individual to be representative of the office as they will be the first and last point of contact for all visitors arriving and leaving the office. During the week day shifts, it is vital that security officers are completely professional representing HMG and delivery exemplary customer service. Outside of business hours, security officers are required to make sure that the premises and assets of the office are kept safe and secure.
The US Network offers a unique career enhancing opportunity and is committed to supporting its staff through a variety of benefits including generous leave, insurance packages and a highly competitive 401k programme. In this role you will be working in a diverse international environment to support UK diplomats, armed forces personnel and other country based staff operating across the British Government’s network of Consulates and Government Offices in the United States. This network provides a platform for approximately 30 Government departments and agencies to conduct their work in the United States and is made up of over 900 staff with a rich and diverse background, skill sets, and experiences
The New York British Government Office is comprised of over 200 staff, across two offices, 8 Government Departments, and a wide range of policy priorities. The successful candidate will therefore be working with a diverse range of stakeholders and issues.
Salary: $21.18 hourly
Duties and Responsibilities
Your main responsibilities in this role include the following:
Receptionist duties, including meeting and greeting visitors, taking switchboard calls from the public, liaising with colleagues about visitors and attendees at meetings and events, managing access control to the offices, handling visitor passes and being the first point of contact for staff and visitors to the office.
Reception Guard duties, including staffing a metal detector arch, searching visitors’ bags, providing a security presence in the public reception and occasional security presence at events or major meetings including at official residences.
Office Guard: Implement day-to-day security measures, including patrols, locking/ un-locking procedures, CCTV monitoring, pass and access control and programming, testing alarms and radios, escorting contractors, freight elevator access, security scanning of mail/ post, key-holders for the offices, completing security paperwork and logs.
Building Facilities Support working alongside other Corporate Services staff: carry out shared wider duties across the guard force, to help with office facilities support around: health & safety measures, notices and paperwork; fire drills, extinguishers, notices and paperwork; first aid kits, equipment, notices and paperwork; security signage; key-holder and locks duties, helping manage the mailroom.
Other ad hoc tasks as directed by Security and Corporate Service Managers.
Job Requirements
At least 4 years work experience in the security sector/ law enforcement/ military, ideally office-based.
Excellent people engagement skills and first-rate customer service, including a proven track-record in dealing with members of the public.
Ideally, experience of working a public reception.
A high degree of professionalism and strong ability to represent the UK government externally to visitors and other members of the public.
Adaptable, flexible and energetic; ability to work well in a team and to work collaboratively to deliver shared tasks and help others.
Proven experience of Microsoft Windows 10 suite, including Outlook, Word and Excel - as well as bespoke IT security, access control & CCTV systems
Must be fluent in spoken and written English.
Must be a British, US, Canadian, Australian or New Zealand citizen.
Under US State Department requirements, the UK Government in the US may only employ, as non-diplomatic staff, persons who are US citizens, US Permanent Residents or A visa holders with EAD cards*. If you hold a visa other than an A visa you are not currently eligible to work at our office. Please refer to our website for information on exceptions to this policy at www.gov.uk/government/world/usa. All selected candidates are subject to background checks and will require a security clearance prior to starting work. *A visas are acceptable at the Embassy and Consulates. The UK Mission to the UN (UKMIS) accepts G visas, and British Defense Staff (BDS) outposts accept A or NATO visas.
Desirable qualifications, skills and experience
Current holder of New York Security Guard Licence an advantage
Previous experience of working in the diplomatic community, especially if in New York, is helpful.
Previous experience of office facilities work is useful but not essential.
Job Details
Company/Organization: British Consulate General in New York
Employment Type: Full-time
Job Location: New York, NY, USA