HMRC - Surveillance Officer- Croydon, Dover, Ipswich, Portsmouth and Stratford

Job Description

This role at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is available to people who served in the Armed Forces, OR be in your resettlement period and due to leave the Armed Forces within a reasonable time frame OR Military Spouse/Partner: Your current partner must still be serving OR was discharged within the last 12 months.

We want you to join us, learn new skills and bring your experience to our organisation. We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference, and we want to ensure that all our staff are equipped with the knowledge and skills to do so. As part of your employment, you will have access to a range of learning and development, and a buddy who can help you to understand the Civil Service and enable you to make the most of the opportunities it offers.  

HMRC is the UK’s tax, payments and customs authority and we have a vital purpose: we collect the money that pays for the UK’s public services and help families and individuals with targeted financial support.

Covert Operations, Digital Exploitation (CODE) sits within HMRC’s wider Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) which is responsible for the department’s civil and criminal investigation work. 

FIS ensures that HMRC has an effective approach to taking on the most serious tax evasion and fraud. Working across Law Enforcement and government, CODE provides investigative tools and covert techniques to front- line investigations and works with key partners to develop and provide access to new technology and systems to enable investigators to respond to serious and complex tax evasion and crime.

About the Job

At HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC), we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an equitable and inclusive workplace. We recognise that our strength lies in the diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences of our employees.

That’s why we’re seeking talented individuals from all walks of life to join our newly created Specialist Surveillance Team as a Surveillance Officer.

We are striving to build a team that represents the community we serve and strongly encourage applicants from diverse demographics and backgrounds to apply.

As a Surveillance Officer, you will play a vital role in supporting HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS), ensuring an effective approach to tackling complex financial crimes. Your keen observational skills and analytical mindset will be instrumental in gathering crucial evidence and intelligence through covert surveillance operations across the UK.

As a 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 to help the Fraud Investigation Service deliver against its strategic and tactical objectives.

Responsibilities & Tasks

  • Conduct mobile, foot, and static surveillance operations to support HMRC investigations nationwide.

  • Operate surveillance equipment, including radio, photography, audio, and video recording devices.

  • Produce detailed surveillance logs, witness statements, and exhibits to document findings.

  • Support specialised technical surveillance deployments, working alongside tactical surveillance personnel.

  • Collaborate closely with law enforcement agencies, such as the National Crime Agency and Police forces.

Essential Criteria

  • Excellent teamwork, interpersonal, and communication abilities.

  • Proven resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure.

  • Strong observational and analytical capabilities.

  • Proficiency in map reading and navigation using Ordnance Survey maps.

  • Ability to obtain National Security Vetting (SC) clearance.

  • Full UK driving licence, including manual transmission vehicles.

  • Experience or transferable skills from diverse professional backgrounds are encouraged.

Desirable Criteria

  • Pre-existing mobile surveillance or motorcycle surveillance qualifications are advantageous.

  • Experience working in law enforcement, policing, or the armed forces.

  • Photography experience.

Training Requirements

  • Initial role specific training will include:
  • Mandatory online learning. 
  • Counter Fraud Awareness Training.
  • Officer Safety Training.
  • A 3-week residential Foot Surveillance course.
  • Photography Training.
  • A 7-week residential Advanced Police Driving course (for those without pre-existing accreditation).
  • A 4-week residential Enhanced Surveillance Techniques course.

Continued employment is contingent on successfully passing the role specific training (some courses are Pass/Fail).

Training and Assessment Period

Appointment is also subject to the successful completion of a 12-month Training and Assessment Period (TAP) during which you will be required to complete the role specific 

training. Those who do not successfully complete the TAP may be redeployed within FIS. If this is not possible, you may be put in BaU redeployment with help to find a redeployment solution.

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

National Security Vetting

This role requires security clearance to SC. Any job offer is conditional to the attainment of the security clearance to SC and thus, the security clearance is mandatory. Please be aware that those who do not attain the required security clearance will not be allowed to carry on in this post.

Benefits

·       Competitive salary package, including a Level 2 Flexibility Payment for unsocial hours and additional duties.

·       Comprehensive training, including advanced driving, surveillance techniques, and counter-fraud awareness.

·       Opportunities for professional development and career growth within HMRC.

·       Flexible working options, such as remote work and flexible schedules, to support work-life balance.

·       Generous Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%.

·       An inclusive culture that values diversity, equity, and belonging, with active employee resource groups and community outreach initiatives.

Flexibility Payment (FP) 

You will initially be eligible for the HMRC Flexibility Payment at Level 1a (FP1a) on Take Up of Duty. On successful completion of the Foot Surveillance course, you will be eligible for (and move to) the Flexibility Payment at Level 2 (FP2).

 

Please email GFIE@cabinetoffice.gov.uk for full details on the Flexibility Payment

Hours: 

Monday to Friday 09:00-17:00

Full-time - it is envisaged that there will not be a set attendance pattern. These roles by their very nature are fluid in the required level of attendance with some potential deployment requirements unexpectedly spanning multiple days. When not deployed operationally, the team will have the requisite rest periods, or will be able work at their designated Regional Centre or Working From Home.

How to Apply:

Informal conversations with candidates are expected to take place on 18th November 2024 and it is hoped that successful candidates start in January following successful security checks.