Criminal Investigator

Job summary

As part of the Home Office, Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration and removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. A career with us is a unique opportunity to make a real difference day-to-day.

We’re recruiting Criminal & Financial Investigation Immigration Officers across the UK. You’ll be part of teams playing a fundamental role in addressing immigration crime as part of a multi-layered enforcement approach. Working closely with partners in the National Crime Agency and policing and other agencies, you’ll take action against criminals seeking to benefit from illegal migration. As a Criminal Investigator, you’ll have a varied role to support the detection, apprehension and removal of immigration offenders. That could include:

- Arresting suspected immigration offenders

- Obtaining and executing search warrants

- Conducting PACE interviews

- Collecting, preserving and recording evidence

- Making balanced decisions in sometimes difficult and pressurised environments

Requirements

We’re not looking for people with specific experience as you will be given all the essential training; however, we look for people who have some of the following traits and attributes. Please see the full job description to understand which ones we would like to see demonstrated in your personal statement.

- Sound people and communication skills and happy working in a team

- Confident managing potentially difficult situations while maintaining professionalism and sensitivity

- Naturally inquisitive with an eye for detail and able to work within policy and legal frameworks

- Flexible, adaptable and creative in solving challenges and with strong integrity and honesty

- Motivated by making a difference and the crucial frontline work we do

- Committed to continuous self-improvement and proactive in seeking out learning opportunities

- Emotionally resilient and physically fit, with a high level of mobility

- A full valid UK driving license and good command of verbal and written English

Successful applicants will be required to gain arrest and criminal investigation accreditation for this role.

Benefits

As well as a chance to help communities across the UK and a competitive starting salary, you’ll receive a Civil Service Pension with average employer contribution rates of 27%, flexible working options and a culture encouraging diversity and inclusion.

As an Immigration Officer, you’ll also be eligible for an Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) up to 49% depending on location and role. This is subject to regular review and is to compensate you for working shift patterns that include nights, mornings, late finishes, weekends and public holidays. Shifts vary in length, can be up to 12 hours and can be changed according to business need.

Eligibility and qualifications

You must meet all the following criteria in order to apply:

- 18 years old when you apply

- UK national

- Full manual UK driving license

- Can undertake and pass a medical assessment if successful

- Aware the role is physically demanding so have high mobility and fitness

- Will need to undertake and pass a paid Pathway Programme of training if successful

- Able to undertake shift work

- Able to provide all ID documents required for pre-employment screening and security clearance

Open days and online events

We’re running multiple online and in-person events where you can learn more about us, meet some of our team and ask questions. These will cover what the job is like, your career prospects, the recruitment process and security vetting processes. You do not need to attend these events to apply but candidates may find them useful.

Open days:

- London: The Clermont Charing Cross. Tuesday 7th March 2023 10.30 – 14.30

- Birmingham: Clayton Hotel and Conference Centre. Monday 13th March 2023 10.30 – 14.30

- Manchester: Manchester Conference Centre and Pendulum Hotel. Tuesday 14th March 10.30 – 14.30

Online events:

- Wednesday 8th March 2023 – 18.00 to 19.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/560283692607

- Saturday 11th March 2023 – 10.00 to 11.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/560286260287

- Thursday 16th March 2023 – 18.00 to 19.00

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/560310994267

Selection process

After you submit your application, you’ll be invited to complete an online test which you must do before 23:55 on 20th March 2023. This is also the deadline for applications. You’ll be offered guidance for this test once you’ve been invited to take it.

If you successfully pass the test, you’ll be invited to complete final stage of the application. You will be asked to complete a statement of suitability (personal statement) of 500 words max that demonstrates your skills and experience for the role. You can find more details in the full job description on the application form itself.

Successful candidates will then be invited to an interview with Strengths-based questions only. There is no expectation for you to prepare before the interview. Interviews will take place online.