Accommodation Security Officer

Accommodation Security Officer – University of Glasgow

Posted 23 October 2025. Salary Grade 3, £23,742 – £24,215 per annum. End date 30 October 2025. Location Glasgow. Job Reference 185213. Operational Reference 185213. Expiry 30 October 2025.

Job Purpose

The Accommodation Security Officer will work as part of the Campus Security team to provide a safe, secure, and supportive living environment for students, staff, and visitors at University of Glasgow Student Accommodation and flexibly across the University Estate as required. This role involves delivering proactive student welfare support, emergency response support and security service whilst ensuring a professional, customer‑centric approach to enhance the student experience.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Customer Service & Student Welfare Support – assist students, staff, and visitors with general enquiries and act as first point of contact for reporting faults, lockouts, after‑hours check‑ins, and emergency housing support.
• Provide initial welfare and medical assistance as necessary, escalating cases to emergency services, the University’s Residence Life Team (ResLife) or other internal support services when required.
• Support students in distress, directing them to internal and external welfare services (escalating to Security Duty Manager as required) and work in partnership with the ResLife out‑of‑hours welfare team, University Safeguarding Team and Counselling and Psychological Services.
• Address behaviour issues in conjunction with the ResLife team, escalating to Security Duty Manager as required, including noise complaints (good neighbour policy), disputes, and reports of substance misuse.
• Deliver safety briefings and participate in flat visits to provide information to students on security, fire safety, and incident reporting.
• Support proactive fault and maintenance reporting to the Estates and IT helpdesk. Support the coordination of contractor visits and maintenance activities to minimise disruption to residents.
• Security and Safety – conduct regular foot and mobile vehicular patrols, ensuring security concerns are identified and documented; enforce access control and respond to unauthorised entry, engaging with police and emergency services as required.
• First responder to alarms, emergency calls and Safe Zone activations, providing first aid and evacuation assistance as needed.
• Operate and monitor CCTV systems in compliance with data protection laws, ensuring all incidents are documented.
• Conduct daily internal patrols, including fire door inspections, hazard identification, and emergency lighting checks.
• Maintain fire evacuation plans, supported by Security Duty Manager, for each site, organise fire drills and oversee fire system, including investigating and resetting fire panels.
• Incident Management & Compliance – first responder to all emergencies including administering first aid and appropriate escalation of incidents; document security incidents, breaches, and welfare concerns in a timely and professional manner; ensure compliance with university policies and procedures.
• Adhere to health and safety regulations, including fire safety protocols, manual handling procedures, and emergency evacuation plans; act as Fire Warden/Evacuation Chair Operator and assist students with Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs).
• Complete the daily handover process efficiently, with all records of patrols, security actions, and incidents reported to stakeholders and ResLife team.
• Campus Security & Events Support – ensure a safe environment for all staff, students and visitors across the University Estate by assisting in checks of University buildings and external car parking areas to prevent the risk of fire, flooding, accident and intrusion; promote a positive image of the University by living the values, maintaining a professional appearance, wearing protective clothing/workwear and equipment as issued.
• Deliver a full range of delegated support activities, including directing information about campus buildings, providing access to services for campus users, contractors and visitors, and as required providing reception, ceremonial and events security support services and relevant visitor information in person, by telephone or email.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Essential:

• A1 – Ability to demonstrate the competencies required to undertake the duties associated with this level of post having acquired the necessary knowledge and skills in a similar role; or Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 4 in English and Mathematics (National 4) or equivalent, with some experience of working in a similar role.
• A2 – Either the ability to undertake training or, good knowledge and understanding of security services including building access control systems and the use of CCTV systems.
• A3 – Understanding of relevant health and safety policies and procedures relative to the role, for example, manual handling, fire safety and security procedures.
• A4 – Full clean UK driving licence.
• A5 – Knowledge of multicultural environments, interacting with people from different cultures, backgrounds, races, and faiths.

Desirable:

• B1 – First Aid Qualification (training will be provided).
• B2 – Mental Health First Aid Qualification (training will be provided).
• B3 – Evacuation Chair Training (training will be provided).
• B4 – Knowledge of GDPR (training will be provided).

Skills

• C1 – A proactive, flexible and enthusiastic approach to work.
• C2 – Excellent written and oral communication skills to communicate effectively with students, staff and visitors in a courteous and diplomatic manner.
• C3 – Self‑motivated, able to manage time effectively with ability to work effectively as part of a team and also unsupervised.
• C4 – IT skills, to include MS Office and Outlook.
• C5 – Customer care skills.
• C6 – Accuracy and attention to detail.
• C7 – Willingness to develop and enhance own skills and knowledge by participating in training.
• C8 – Ability to carry out regular surveillance patrols both mobile and on foot to secure the safety of a geographically dispersed campus.
• C9 – Ability to interact effectively with the international community and with any individuals in distress/crisis.
• C10 – Ability to share information with students to promote the services of the University, supporting a positive student experience.

Experience

• E1 – Experience providing good front‑line customer focussed security, customer service, or facilities service to a range of customers and visitors.
• E2 – Experience of health and safety legislation within a working environment.

Desirable:

• F1 – Previous experience working in a university or university accommodation role.
• F2 – Experience in student welfare, mentoring and dealing with crisis/safeguarding incidents.
• F3 – Experience managing or training volunteers or junior staff.

Terms and Conditions

• Salary will be Grade 3, £23,742 – £24,215 per annum, plus 33% shift allowance.
• This post is full time (average 35 hours per week) based on night shifts, including weekends. A high degree of flexibility is required.
• The post is fixed term until 12 July 2026.
• Benefits: 41 days leave, pension, 6‑month UoG Sport membership, free parking, and discount packages.
• A flexible approach to working.
• A commitment to support your health and wellbeing.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under‑represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community.

Closing Date

Closing date: 30 October 2025