Deployable and Reactive Team (DaRT) Officer

Job summary

Join the Deployable and Reactive Team (DaRT) at the House of Commons – a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in safeguarding UK Parliament.

As a DaRT Officer, you’ll be part of a highly skilled, mobile security unit that responds to emerging threats, supports planned operations, and enhances the overall safety of the Parliamentary Estate.

If you're motivated by purpose, problem‑solving, and working at the heart of democracy, this is a rare and exciting opportunity to make a meaningful impact.

Find out more about working at the House of Commons.

Job description

In this role, you’ll act as both a proactive and reactive security asset – conducting targeted patrols, overt and covert behavioural detection, and leading specialist security searches across key locations. You’ll respond to incidents across the Estate, exercise common law powers where necessary, and play a central part in contingency planning.

You will also support high‑profile committees and events, facilitate the secure movement of dignitaries, and carry out close protection duties, sometimes acting as team leader. From major ceremonial occasions such as State Opening to spontaneous security challenges, no two days are the same.

Person specification

• A security background with demonstrable experience in areas relevant to the role such as close protection, surveillance, specialist search skills and behaviour detection;
• Experience of working with diverse groups of people;
• Experience of working in a fast-moving, unpredictable environment;
• Excellent interpersonal and written & verbal communications skills;
• Sound decision making skills.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,316, House of Commons contributes £8,782 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

In addition to your salary, we offer an attractive range of benefits including but not limited to:

• Generous annual leave starting at 30 days and increasing to 35 after one full working year.
• Enrolment in the excellent Civil Service pension scheme with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Flexible working options that help you find a balance including enhanced maternity, paternity, shared parental and adoption leave, caring leave and alternative working patterns.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

Application Form - If you would like to apply for this role, please submit an application providing evidence against criteria 2, 5 & 6 in the Job Description.

More information on the application process can be found here: Application process - UK Parliament

Please note that the assessment day will be held on Friday 13th March. This is the only available date.

Please note that most job offers will be made at the minimum of the salary range, other than in exceptional circumstances.

We may close the vacancy prior to the closing date stated due to a high volume of applications.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

Please note this Post is NOT regulated by the Civil Service Commission.The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : recruitment@parliament.uk
• Email : recruitment@parliament.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@parliament.uk

Attachments

DaRT Officer - Job Description Opens in new window (docx, 942kB)House of Commons Benefits Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 712kB)