Position: Security Officer at Discovery Park
Location: Discovery Park, Sandwich, Kent
Role: Permanent
Discovery Park is a leading science and innovation park in the Southeast of England, home to more than 160 forward-thinking companies ranging from ambitious start-ups to global multinationals. Our vibrant community spans the pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, healthcare, technology, and professional services sectors, creating a dynamic environment where innovation thrives.
Through our dedicated operational and business support teams, Discovery Park Management Ltd (DPML) delivers comprehensive facilities management across the site. This includes the maintenance of buildings, landscaped grounds, and utilities infrastructure, as well as the provision of essential services such as front-of-house reception, cleaning, logistics, security, and event management.
We are committed to maintaining a welcoming environment for all occupiers and visitors, delivering quality services across the park, whilst continuously seeking opportunities to improve and enhance the way we operate.
Our values guide everything we do:
- Inspirational leadership – leading by example and empowering others
- People-focused – treating everyone with respect, care, and professionalism
- Operational excellence – delivering consistently high standards in all we do
- Community spirit – working collaboratively and supporting one another as one team
Main Purposes of the Job
We are looking for a new Security Officer to join our team. As a valued member of our 24/7 Security Team, you’ll be trusted to make a real difference every day. This is a varied and rewarding role where no two shifts are the same, offering the opportunity to work in a professional, supportive environment while helping to protect one of the leading science and innovation campuses in the UK.
The ideal candidate will play a vital role in creating a safe, secure and welcoming environment across Discovery Park. You will contribute to protecting our people, buildings, equipment, tenants and visitors who make our high-security science and innovation park unique.
You’ll be responsible for delivering professional security services across the park, including patrolling the property, monitoring surveillance systems, inspecting buildings and equipment, responding to alarms, reporting irregularities, supporting incident investigations, producing accurate reports and ensuring compliance with site policies and procedures. You’ll also respond to onsite incidents and emergencies, working closely with relevant authorities when required.
As part of the role, you will operate a range of control room systems, including CCTV, alarms and computers. Full training and ongoing support will be provided to give you the knowledge and confidence to carry out your responsibilities to the highest standard.
Key Responsibilities
Site Access & Control
- Control access to Discovery Park through designated gates and entrances.
- Prevent unauthorised access and safely challenge or escort individuals from the site when required.
- Check, issue and manage access passes for visitors, contractors and employees.
- Operate security gates, barriers and access control systems.
- Issue, receive and securely manage site keys, maintaining accurate key records.
Patrolling & Site Security
- Carry out regular foot and vehicle patrols during the day or night, in all weather conditions.
- Escort visitors, products and materials around the park as required.
- Monitor and, where necessary, enforce Discovery Park parking and traffic regulations.
Security Systems & Control Room
- Monitor, operate and test CCTV, access control, intruder detection, fire detection and communication systems, including the telephone switchboard and site radios.
- Use computer systems to maintain security records, update databases, manage access control information and carry out routine vehicle and personnel searches.
- Use handheld radios to communicate effectively with colleagues.
Customer Service & Communication
- Provide a professional, friendly and helpful service to employees, tenants, visitors and members of the public.
- Communicate effectively with colleagues, emergency response teams, tenants and the emergency services.
Reporting & Administration
Produce clear, accurate written and verbal reports, maintaining all required security records and documentation.
About Your Skills & Experience
Essential
- 1 year security experience (required)
- In-depth technical knowledge gained through working within the security industry.
Licenses and Skills:
- Valid SIA/Security Guarding or Door Supervisors license.
- Full, clean manual driving license.
- Excellent communication, organizational and customer service skills
- Computer literacy and experience of software – Microsoft office, Access control, Intruder alarm and fire alarm systems
Personal Attributes:
- Professional demeanour, sound judgment, and integrity.
- Ability to work effectively under pressure and independently.
- A flexible and proactive approach to duties.
Abilities:
- Able to deter a person or persons from entering the premises or to physically escort a person or persons from the premises.
- Able to pick up a fire extinguisher and, walking briskly, carry it a minimum distance of 30m and then operate it.
- Able to stand, walk or sit for extended periods.
- Able to perform lengthy foot patrols day and night in all weather conditions.
- Able to work a shift pattern covering 24/7, 365 days per year.
Able to maintain strong concentration, focus, and thorough monitoring of CCTV throughout both day and night shifts.
Desirable
- Certificate in Control Room Supervision (BTEC Level 3).
- 3–5 years of security experience.
- A CCTV License.
- 3-day FAW + Oxygen Therapy
Remuneration and Benefits
Annual salary: £27,954.63 annual salary.
Annual shift allowance: £291.19 per month (12.5% of the basic annual salary)
Overtime: Paid at time and a half of the flat rate
10 days/8 shifts company sick pay, after successful completion of probation
23 shifts annual leave
On joining our Security Team, you will have the opportunity to work within our state-of-the-art control room and have access to a variety of facilities available within the park.
Our benefits include*:
- Discount and recognition platform
- On-site gym (separate employee paid membership required)
- 10% discount at our onsite catering
- Free onsite parking
*Benefits listed are based on working full-time and are subject to change.
Screening
- Any offer of employment is subject to satisfactory completion of security screening to BS7858.
- It is a condition of acceptance of an offer of employment, that candidates agree to this screening and answer all questions during screening honestly and truthfully.
Note: The Job Description is not intended to be all inclusive. The job holder may be required to perform other related duties to meet the on-going needs of the Company.
To apply, please send your CV and cover letter to securitymanager@discovery-park.co.uk
