Border Force - South – International Trade Officer

164232

£24,883 - £27,372

Permanent

HO - Borders and Enforcement

Operational Delivery

Full-time, Part-time

1

Imperial House - Southampton

The Home Office is here to make the UK safer. Border Force is a Law Enforcement arm of the Home Office with primary responsibility for UK Border Security, including counter terrorism, immigration and customs matters.

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. Border Force has five operational regions in the UK: North, Central, Heathrow, South and South East & Europe. These regions have responsibility for securing the border 24 hours a day, 365 days a year at the UK’s 140 seaports, airports, 200+ general aviation ports, postal depots and international rail network. This includes the Eurostar from Brussels and Paris to St Pancras International and the Eurotunnel from Coquelles to Cheriton, where Border Force has juxtaposed controls.

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.

The successful applicant will become a member of the International Trade team based at Imperial House in Southampton. The team are 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.

The post is primarily office based but there will be some requirement to attend physical examinations and conduct visits to Temporary Storage Facilities, Ports & Wharfs.

Allowances:
There is no AHW allowance attributable to these posts. The office is open from 08:00 – 16:00 Monday to Friday and the successful candidate will be expected to attend for these hours.

These posts can be physically demanding. Successful candidates will be required to complete specialist training including Personal Safety Training (PST) if not already held. You will be required to attend and pass a course in personal safety, arrest and restraint techniques and refresh these skills on an annual basis. You will be required to complete a PST health declaration and, if necessary, attend a medical examination.

Applicants must be prepared to attend any forthcoming International Trade related courses relating to the nature of this work, for instance, ‘Unaccompanied Goods’

In addition, the office is currently open from 08:00-13:00 on Saturdays. Once fully trained there is a requirement to cover between one and two Saturdays per month. This is continually reviewed subject to business needs.

Responsibilities

Primary duties will include but are not limited to:

• Checking the details of imports and exports on various IT systems, identifying anomalies and obtaining further information, including interrogating various databases and spreadsheets, to determine whether goods can move through the docks in accordance with the relevant laws and policies.

• Checking and endorsing import / export paperwork in accordance with the relevant laws and policies.

• Handling and taking responsibility for casework for both counterfeit and restricted export detentions which includes completing the relevant paperwork and updating IT systems as well as attending some physical examinations.

• Engaging with local stakeholders e.g. Port Operators, Shipping Lines and Agents, other law enforcement bodies such as the Police, Trading Standards and Port Health on operational issues as well as liaison with other Government Agencies.

• Attending ports / wharfs / temporary storage facilities in order to conduct checks on their facilities and making recommendations relating to their approval to operate. This includes enforcing areas of their approval that they may not be compliant with including sometimes advising traders that they can no longer operate. The successful applicant will be expected to attend these premises on their own.

• Completing some statistical analyses as required by the business.

• Answering the telephone and responding to enquiries from traders.

• Monitoring the team mailbox and prioritising correspondence received.

• Packaging and dispatching various samples of goods to relevant parties.

• Conducting and assisting with some physical examinations of containers.

• Proactive accountability for own work.

• Attend court to give evidence.

• Travel to other businesses and locations will be primarily via official vehicle.

• Making informed and accountable decisions to ensure that Border Force operations comply with law and policies across all of these responsibilities is paramount.

• Demonstrated ability to work with others to complete investigations.

Essential Criteria

• Have strong IT skills including a sound understanding of Excel, Windows 10 and other Microsoft software.

• Be able to communicate effectively over several forms of communication

• Excellent organisational and planning skills.

• Experience working under pressure with limited supervision.

• Are flexible, adaptable and creative in solving problems and dealing with change

• A full UK Driving license is essential as the successful applicant will be expected to drive on official business

Desirable Criteria

• Relevant skills and experience gained from security, regulatory or investigatory work that might be successfully utilised in this BF role.

Appearance

As part of this role you will be required to wear a uniform (which will be provided). Staff must ensure that their uniform is worn correctly, in line with these uniform standards, is kept clean and is well presented. To support this requirement, adequate uniform supplies will be available and issued. Uniformed staff represent their organisation at all times and should ensure that their dress and personal appearance reflects this responsibility.

Tattoos, including henna

A non-offensive visible tattoo is permissible, as long as it is not on the face or on the front or side of the neck (above the collar line). Tattoos behind the ear lobe on the back of the neck are also acceptable within these policy guidelines. You will be required to cover tattoos, when it is seen as appropriate for certain official events, e.g. State Funerals, Opening of Parliament, Remembrance Parades and other Ceremonial events. Under no circumstances should tattoos which could be considered offensive be visible. Examples of these include discriminatory; offensive; undermine political neutrality i.e. rude, lewd, crude, racist, sexist, sectarian, homophobic or violent tattoos.

Personal Safety Training (PST)

These roles can be physically demanding and if successful you will be required to complete and pass specialist training including Personal Safety Training (PST) which develops skills in personal safety, arrest and restraint techniques. This demands physical activity and physical contact with delegates on the course. You will be required to complete a PST health declaration and, if necessary, attend a medical examination. A formal offer will be conditional upon you being physically fit to undertake and pass the training.

A full UK Driving license is essential as the successful applicant will be expected to drive on official business.

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Making Effective Decisions