**Immigration Officer- Swindon

Job summary

The Home Office works to build a safe, fair and prosperous UK. We achieve this through our work on counter-terrorism, policing, crime, drugs policy, immigration and passports.

Immigration Enforcement is responsible for enforcing the government’s immigration laws, tackling illegal migration, removing foreign national offenders and immigration offenders from the UK. We also aim to disrupt the organised criminal groups that exploit the vulnerable for their personal gain. Learn more on our careers pages.

As an Immigration Officer, you will work as part of a professional team carrying out a wide range of operational duties. The role is varied and fast paced, requiring you to engage confidently with individuals, assess risk, and make balanced decisions in situations that can be complex or challenging. You will be expected to act with integrity, apply sound judgement, and remain calm and professional under pressure.

This is a fast paced role that calls for resilience and a strong sense of responsibility. You will be trusted to handle sensitive situations and contribute directly to protecting communities and supporting a fair and effective immigration system.

We are looking for people with the right behaviours and mindset rather than a single background or career path. Strong communication skills, collaboration and a willingness to learn are critical, and you will be supported to develop your capability and confidence in the role.

The role is physically demanding and requires a high level of mobility and fitness, wearing heavy Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), often for lengthy periods.

In return, you will gain valuable operational experience and the opportunity to build a meaningful career within Immigration Enforcement and the wider Home Office. Further details can be found here - Working for Immigration Enforcement video (youtube.com)

Job description

This is a demanding role that calls for resilience and a strong sense of responsibility.

In return, you will gain valuable operational experience and the opportunity to build a meaningful career within Immigration Enforcement and the wider Home Office.

Key responsibilities:

The successful candidate will be responsible for (but not limited to):

• Protecting and safeguarding the vulnerable, sign posting and making appropriate referrals to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Identifying, arresting, and detaining immigration offenders while conducting residential and commercial enforcement visits.
• Conducting enforcement visit, including completing property and person searches, collecting, preserving, and recording evidence. Attending court to acquire search warrants and providing witness statements to support criminal prosecutions.
• As Officer in Charge (on enforcement visits) directing officers, conducting briefings/de-briefings and completing risk assessments.
• Completing evidence-based referrals to other agencies for issuing of fines and compliance notices.
• Engaging with communities and partner agencies across government and conducting compliance visits to educate employers.
• Gathering intelligence, demonstrating a genuine interest in people by asking questions, maintaining an inquisitive and open mind, and engaging with empathy.
• Conducting database checks, closely examining documents, writing reports and inputting data on internal operating systems and handheld devices.

Due to the advertised location from which this role operates, Swindon Gablecross Police Station. Successful candidates will be required to complete and pass the appropriate Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV).

Working Pattern

Due to the business requirements of this role, it is only available on a full-time basis.

Please note that full shifts of up to 8.24, will be required.

Successful candidates will need to be able to attend for all shifts including early starts, late night finishes, and overnight shifts. These shifts may be outside of public transport operating hours.

Training

Candidates will need to complete IO Core Skills.

Training and PPST Level 3 Training.

You will receive full training and support to do the job. Training takes place initially in the classroom and then continues on the job with a mentor who supports you until you are fully confident in the role. Even then you are never alone; you work as part of a team where there is always someone around for advice and support. Further information on what the training involves can be found on our website.

Travel

Occasional travel is required.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Remains composed, flexible, and reliable when working under pressure or in a demanding fast-paced environment.
• Proven experience of building rapport with the public and stakeholders, to support outcomes. Confident in handling challenging conversations, expressing ideas and responding to feedback.
• Strong capability to plan, coordinate and manage varied workloads, across competing priorities, while maintaining accurate records and timely task completion.
• Ability to deliver fair, professional, and high-quality service to individuals from diverse backgrounds, handling challenging or resistant behaviour confidently.
• Track record of building strong business relationships, working closely with colleagues and stakeholders to achieve shared goals.
• Able to gather and assess information, identify risks or issues, and make clear, evidence-based decisions.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience working within law enforcement, security, regulatory, or other sensitive data‑handling environment.

Licences

Driving Licence - Manual Driving License is required for operational travel. It is essential you hold a full valid UK manual driving licence at the time of application.
Your licence will be checked at interview stage and you must confirm you hold one when you apply.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace
• Seeing the Big Picture

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

In addition to your salary, a career with the Home Office offers a range of benefits, including:

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• In-year reward scheme for one-off or sustained exceptional personal or team achievements.
• 25 days annual leave on appointment, rising with service to 30 days.
• Eight days of public holidays, plus one additional privilege day.
• This role currently attracts Annualised Hours Allowance (AHA) of 31.63% of salary depending on location.
• Further information can be found on our website.
• See more of our benefits on our careers website.

Sign-up on our website to receive emails with information about careers at the Home Office.

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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.

This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.

We will endeavour to conduct the selection process in line with the dates indicated below, but cannot guarantee that these will not, where necessary, be revised.

As part of the application process, you will first be asked to confirm your eligibility by providing some basic personal information.

After submission of this first stage, you will be invited to complete the followingCivil Service Judgement Test.

1. Online Test – by 27th October 2026.

If you successfully pass the Civil Service Judgement Test, you will be invited to complete the full application form. Please complete the online test as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test or full application before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn.

Guidance for the Civil Service test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The online tests are accessed via the Civil Service Jobs website.

You cannot complete the tests on a mobile phone or tablet.

Following successful completion of your test, you will then be asked to complete the full application form.

2. Application – by 27th October 2026.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• Personal Statement (maximum 1000 words).
• Evidence of the Behaviour - Communicating and Influencing (maximum of 250 words per Behaviour).

The Personal Statement should be aligned to and demonstrate how you meet the skills and experience set out in the essential criteria, detailed in the job description.

For guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers website.

3. Sift – 29th October 2026.

The sift will be held on the Personal Statement, Behaviour, as listed in the advert.

Should a high volume of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted on the Lead Behaviour. Candidates who pass the initial sift will then be progressed to a full sift that will consist of all the remaining element submitted Personal Statement.Candidates who fail to meet the minimum pass score for the initial sift will not have their remaining submitted elements scored and will only receive a sift score for that assessed at the initial sift.

4 . Interview – 19th November 2026.

If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview that will be Behaviour and Strength based questions.

The interview will take place in person at the following address: Portishead Conference House, Conference Avenue, Bristol, BS20 7LZ (different location to work location).

Travel expenses will not be reimbursed.

For guidance and information on what to expect and how to prepare for an interview, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers.

Problems during the application process

If you experience problems accessing this advert, or you think you’ve made a mistake on an initial application, please contact hocandidates.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk, including the vacancy reference, at least two working days before the vacancy closes. Further information can be found on our website.

Do not create or attempt to submit another application, online test or use a different Civil Service Jobs account to proceed as this would be in violation of the candidate declaration.

Location preference

You will only be able to select a single location preference so please ensure this is a location that you are prepared to travel to. If you are offered a role at your preferred location and you decline, your application will be withdrawn.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made. There is no guarantee that being held on a reserve list will lead to a job offer. Further information can be found on our website.

Breaking Tied Scores

The behaviours and strengths have been ranked in order of importance to enable us to differentiate between candidates with tied interview scores.

Appearance

This is a uniformed post and as such requires the highest standards. Further information on this and policies regarding tattoos can be found on our website.

Standards

All Civil Servants are expected to comply with the Civil Service Code, and its core values of integrity, honesty, objectivity and impartiality.

Integrity Check

As well as successfully obtaining UK Security Vetting clearance, you will also be subject to an additional Integrity Check, as part of the pre-employment process, to determine your suitability to work for Border Force or Immigration Enforcement. For further information on what this involves, please visit our website.

Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV)

You should currently hold, or be willing to obtain, Non-Police Personnel Vetting (NPPV) Level-3 vetting (including financial checks). This is essential for the role. For further information visit About the Police National Vetting Service , Warwickshire Police.

Reasonable Adjustments

If a person with disabilities is at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs

• Complete the “Assistance Required” section in the “Additional Requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you're deaf, a language service professional

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the ‘Contact point for applicants’ section.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct.

If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Working Pattern

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

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.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 : Home Office resourcing centre
• Email : HORCCampaignTeamIE@homeoffice.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles. and you wish to make a complaint, then contact the Government Recruitment Service via HOrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response that you receive, then you can contact the Civil Service Commission.

Attachments

2025-11-01 Pre-employment Checking - Document Requirements (V17) Opens in new window (pdf, 642kB)candidate_information_v18_July_2026 (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 8MB)