This is an exciting opportunity to lead on a new Specialist Surveillance Unit within Covert Operations. The Unit will have national coverage but will be split between two locations, one in Gillingham, Kent the other in Leeds, West Yorkshire.  

As a Higher Surveillance Officer you will be expected to conduct mobile, foot and static surveillance in pursuit of serious and organised crime investigations led by HMRC.  You will gather evidence and intelligence on subjects of investigations in order to help the Fraud Investigation Service deliver against it’s strategic and tactical objectives.

This is a field role and successful applicants, once trained, will be working in the operational field throughout the UK.

As a Higher Surveillance Officer you will be expected to line manage up to 7 members of staff.

Candidates must live within reasonable daily travel of Leeds (West Yorkshire) as all the required equipment and vehicles will be stored in this location, which for these mobile posts is two hours by car each way.

This role is initially offered on a two-year fixed term appointment with the potential to secure permanent employment with HMRC.

 

Training

Training will depend on the any qualifications / experience already held. Please discuss with the vacancy holder.

Person specification

Duties will include:  

Initial training for new entrants to HMRC will include

• A two-week Counter Fraud awareness course and
• Officer Safety Training.
• Additional training including mandatory online learning will be required.

Post training

• Undertaking mobile, foot or static surveillance in support of HMRC Investigations anywhere in the UK.
• Using surveillance technology such as radio, photography, audio and video recording equipment.
• Gathering evidence and producing surveillance logs, notebooks, witness statements and exhibits such as audio or imagery.
• Supporting specialist technical surveillance deployments, working alongside tactical surveillance personnel.
• Working with other Law Enforcement partners such as the National Crime Agency and Police forces. 
• The role involves supporting HMRC operations nationally, which will require regular travel and nights away. The role necessitates working unsocial hours, being on-call, frequent short notice duty changes and additional hours, for which a Level 2 Flexibility Payment is paid.  
• Providing line management support and guidance to up to 7 members of staff.
• Dynamic decision making whilst deployed on surveillance and commanding a team to achieve the operational objectives.

Essential Criteria

• Excellent teamworking and interpersonal skills.
• Fluent written and spoken English.
• Strong verbal and written communication abilities.   
• Resilience and the ability to remain calm in a high pressure, fast paced environment.
• Experience working in Law Enforcement, Policing, or in the Armed forces.
• Pre-existing Mobile Surveillance qualifications
• Strong Leadership skills
• Hold or be able to obtain National Security Vetting of SC or above  
• A full UK driving licence, which must include driving manual transmission vehicles.

Desirable Criteria

• Photography experience.
• Motorcycle surveillance qualification.
• Previous Line Management experience.

Proof of any qualifications stated will be required.

You will be required to complete Operational Safety Training (OST), document attached.

Licences

Hold a full UK driving Licence which must include driving manual transmission vehicles.

Qualifications

Pre-existing Mobile Surveillance qualifications

Proof of any qualifications stated will be required.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• This post attracts Level 2 Flexibility Payment (FP) that is paid monthly with salary.