Security Officer/Receptionist
- Employer
- Embassy of Australia
- Location
- Washington D.C.
- Posted
- May 23, 2023
- Closes
- Jun 27, 2023
- Function
- Other, Security Guard and Public Safety
- Industry
- Other
- Hours
- Full Time
About the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT)
The role of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is to advance the interests of Australia and Australians internationally. This involves strengthening Australia’s security, enhancing Australia’s prosperity, delivering an effective and high-quality overseas aid program and helping Australian travellers and Australians overseas. T
he department provides foreign, trade and development policy advice to the Australian Government. DFAT also works with other Australian government agencies to drive coordination of Australia’s pursuit of global, regional and bilateral interests.
About the Position
The position is part of the Embassy Security Operations team within the Corporate Management and Consular Branch in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, which is responsible for 24-hour surveillance, security reporting of Embassy property and staff. The position is responsible for performing reception, administration and security duties including ensuring the protective security of the Embassy premises, personnel and of classified material held within. Shift work will be required.
The key responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to:
• monitor and supervise the access to and from the Embassy, conduct regular patrol and monitor movements within and surrounding the Embassy, including performing entry and exit formalities, visual and electronic surveillance with other security officers, checking ID, logging and issuing visitor’s passes, monitoring key /issue return, deliveries, secure firearms, and check /update entries in the incident/security logs;
• have responsibility for basic administration of the security work area and undertake routine procedural, clerical, administrative, financial support and operational tasks;
• liaise with the public as the initial point of contact, respond to queries and refer to appropriate contact in the Embassy;
• respond to emergencies within the building and surrounding areas concerning staff as well as offer a first point of contact during unsafe scenarios;
• monitor and update information for notification during emergencies such as evacuation drills;
• liaise with internal and external stakeholders to respond to routine enquires, obtain and provide information on straightforward matters and refer complex security matters to the security managers;
• update and maintain information and data systems;
• assist other areas of the Corporate Branch and assist during visits, functions and events at the Embassy, residences or other locations, as required;
• provide reception services to walk-in visitors and via telephone enquiries and respond to queries and/or refer to the appropriate contact in the Embassy;
• maintain reception records such as Embassy personnel, telephone directories, diplomatic/consular lists, duty officer rosters, emergency contact numbers, after-hours events lists and Security team overtime roster;
• facilitate entry of authorised and other persons including ID checks, logging and issuing visitor’s passes, monitoring key/issue return, and check/update entries in the incident/security suggestion logs;
• liaise with Embassy staff and other stakeholders to coordinate and deliver tasks for visits, events and functions; and,
• provide new staff, visitors and callers with relevant briefings and respond to queries.
Qualifications/Experience
Essential
• ability to work flexibly and effectively in a team environment, as well as an ability to undertake long and solitary shift work;
• ability to remain calm in difficult, dangerous, and/or emergency situations;
• excellent judgment and the ability to handle difficult people solve routine problems and deal with day-to-day operational issues with a broad range of subjects;
• basic administrative, organisational and computing skills (Microsoft office suite);
• excellent oral and interpersonal skills in dealing with Embassy /staff and visitors whilst remaining calm and maintaining a professional disposition, both in person and over the phone; and,
• ability to contribute effectively as a member of a small team including the ability to work with minimum supervision and maintain confidentiality.
Desirable
• knowledge of or work-related experience in, the protective security operations of a diplomatic mission, international organisation or organisation that has a direct security linkage to a diplomatic community;
• hold a current first aid and CPR certificate (be able to obtain one in the first 12 months);
• understanding of/or work–related experience in a diplomatic mission, international organisation or organisation with a direct link to a diplomatic community; and,
• understanding of Australian culture and society.