Ground Security Operatives

Glasgow Prestwick Airport (GPA) have exciting opportunities for Permanent Ground Security Operatives to join our team ahead of a busy summer season. Various contracts are available, early, back and night shifts, Monday to Sunday. Hours range from a minimum of 20 per week to 40+ in busy months and shift start times range from 03.30 to 22.00.

Due to working time regulations and shift patterns, you must be aged 18 or over to apply for this vacancy. Due to shift times often being out-with public transport hours, own means of transportation is essential. If successful in your application, you must be available for three initial weeks of paid training, Monday to Friday, 40 hours per week.

This role involves protecting our site, passengers, staff, contractors, stakeholders and aircraft at all times from any threats posed. Your duties will be varied, including greeting passengers at the entrance to search areas, checking their boarding cards, CCTV / control room monitoring and full site patrols on foot and by vehicle. You will be responsible for carrying out searches of bags and people, both by hand and via advanced technology.

A high degree of integrity is required, along with excellent attention to detail and the physical and mental capability to deal with challenging situations.

• Conducting security inspections and searches of people and vehicles.
• Loading, off‑loading, and screening of passengers and baggage at search points.
• Liquid testing and trace detection procedures.
• Inspection of dangerous goods.
• Handling of suspicious articles and confiscation of non‑compliant articles.
• Operating security equipment and x‑ray screening of luggage.
• Responding to security and emergency incidents.
• Monitoring CCTV system and responding to various alarms.
• Maintaining logs, reports and recording information on paper and electronically.
• Liaising with internal and external departments / stakeholders as required, including the Department for Transport, the Civil Aviation Authority and Police Scotland.
• Safe keeping and/or disposal of passenger’s belongings and/or confiscated items.
• Access control including security identification inspection and validation.
• Operation of gates / entry mechanisms as required.
• Guarding aircraft.
• Dealing with disruptive passengers.
• Escorting duties both on foot and by vehicle where authorised.
• Airside and landside security patrols both on foot and in a vehicle where authorised.
• Lone worker monitoring by telephone / radio.

• Aged 18+.
• Full Driving Licence.
• Airside Driving Medical – this role requires you to meet DVLA Group 2 medical standards.
• Been resident in the UK for the past 3 years.
• Positive and flexible approach to work, with willingness to be deployed to priority work.
• Professional, with good people skills.
• Excellent and quick decision‑making skills.
• Ability to work under pressure, in a fast‑paced and challenging environment.
• Good team player, as well as being able to work on own initiative.

• Comply with UK Right to Work checks and provide associated relevant documentation at interview.
• Confirm your identity by providing a copy of your passport or driving licence.
• Provide GPA with a complete five‑year referencing history inclusive of all employment, self‑employment, and education. Any gap period of 28 days or more must be covered by a personal reference to which you must also provide contact details.
• Upon request, provide a Criminal Record Check Certificate (Basic Disclosure) from Disclosure Scotland. This must not display any disqualifying convictions as detailed on the Civil Aviation Authority website.
• Where applicable, undertake a Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) and understand that deployment to any security related activities is conditional upon the satisfactory result of such a check.

• Cash Health Care Plan (after six months employment).
• Life Assurance 4 × salary (after six months employment).
• Auto enrolled into our Pension Scheme (after 3 months employment) – enhanced upon request.
• Electric Car Scheme.
• Uniform (as required).
• Enhanced Annual leave, depending on service length.
• Free Parking.
• Staff discounts in partnership with Dufry World Duty Free, access to their Staff Shopping Website with an excellent 30% discount on most brands across the site.

We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer and are committed to applying equal opportunities at all stages of our recruitment and selection process. Reasonable adjustments will be made to our recruitment process to ensure that no applicant is disadvantaged.

Please be aware that this vacancy may close at short notice once we’ve received sufficient interest. If you’re interested, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible.

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