Overview of the Mobile Support Officer Role
It is the job of a Mobile Support Officer to work alongside other Support Officers to keep a building and its residents safe. To do this, a Mobile Support Officer is responsible for taking care of keys, making sure they are kept secure and only given to authorised personnel. They will also need to perform regular patrols both inside and outside of a building, recognising any weak security spots and dealing with them appropriately.
When an incident occurs, a Mobile Support Officer must respond quickly and take appropriate action to find a solution to the incident. Once the problem is solved, they must file an incident report with the necessary details.
Gaining experience as a Mobile Support Officer can lead to roles such as Security Supervisor or specialising in corporate security.
Dress Code
A Mobile Support Office should expect to dress in a business casual manner, all clothes should be neat and clean and look professional. Acceptable clothing includes shirts or blouses, smart trousers and closed-toe shoes.
Mobile Support Officer Responsibilities
A Mobile Support Officer is responsible for the safety of a building and its grounds, providing security through active patrols and keyholding responsibilities. They must also be capable of filing accurate incident reports when necessary.
Mobile Support Officer Tips
Improve your empathy and communication skills to communicate clearly with individuals who may have concerns. You will need to be patient with service users and colleagues to build good relationships with them and foster a positive environment.
Be adaptable to unexpected situations. Remain calm when something changes and use strong problem-solving skills to de-escalate situations and come to an appropriate solution.
Qualifications and Skills of a Mobile Support Officer
A skilled Mobile Support Officer will need strong communication skills for dealing with individuals and colleagues as well as knowledge of security protocols and an SIA licence.
Strong Communication Skills
It is important for a Mobile Support Officer to have excellent communication skills to understand the needs and concerns of the people they are supporting. You will need to have good awareness skills to help you understand what your client wants, using body language and tone of voice to reduce any tension and make sure messages are received positively.
Be an active listener and retain the information given to you to clearly understand a situation and communicate clearly and concisely when relaying instructions or providing support.
Knowledge of Security Protocols
It is very important that a Mobile Support Officer possesses a thorough understanding of relevant protocols that deal with procedures for managing access controls, incident response, and maintaining security standards.
You will need to know how to deal with many types of security issues, ranging from alarm triggers and threat prevention to data security. Be attentive while learning, as security protocols might change depending on the location you are in or the type of support you are providing.
SIA Licence Requirements
It is illegal to work in security without a valid SIA licence, and there are consequences to working in this field without an SIA licence, such as fines or imprisonment. To obtain an SIA Licence, you must be over the age of 18, have the right to work in the UK and complete an SIA-approved training course.
You can apply for your SIA licence on the official SIA website, and after passing an identity check and criminal background check and paying a fee, you will be able to submit your application for the licence.
Duties of a Manufacturing Technician
A Mobile Support Officer is responsible for conducting patrols around the place of work and conduct inspections to identify vulnerabilities. They also deal with alarm responses and keyholding responsibilities and report any incidents that occur.
Conducting Patrols & Inspections
Conducting patrols and inspections means checking security measures, making sure access points, locks and alarm systems are all working appropriately and are unobstructed, and any CCTV works optimally.
A Mobile Support Officer will often patrol an area, either on foot or in a marked vehicle, depending on the size of the patrol area and whether it is indoors or outdoors.
Identify areas where security is weak and monitor them to avoid these weaknesses being exploited.
Alarm Response & Keyholding Responsibilities
A Mobile Support Officer will have access to the keys for the premises and will need to manage these keys appropriately, making sure they are kept safe and only accessed by authorised personnel.
When an alarm is triggered a Mobile Support Officer must respond rapidly to the situation and take appropriate action. It is also important to report any incidents and keep records of all keys held at the location.
Incident Reporting
When a security incident occurs, it is important to report it appropriately. This might be through a digital security log, or a written report. Different incidents may also have different types of reports that require different details, it is important to learn and understand the difference between each report.
Always report the incident as soon as possible and provide thorough and complete information. When dealing with sensitive or personal information, handle it carefully and securely, logging this information in the appropriate place to prevent data breaches.
Mobile Support Officer Career Progression and Advancement
With enough experience, a Mobile Support Officer can progress into supervisor or area manager roles or specialise in corporate security.
Advancing to Security Supervisor or Area Manager Roles
You will need to gain plenty of experience as a Mobile Support Office before progressing in your role. It is important to use your experience to increase your skill set by honing your communication and problem-solving skills. Look for opportunities to take on supervisor duties and gain leadership skills for overseeing other security personnel.
With improved problem-solving skills, an area manager will be able to go to different locations and identify places where security needs to be improved. Be proactive when strengthening security measures at your place of employment.
Specialising in Corporate Security
You will need to deal with all forms of security as a Corporate Security Officer by developing expertise in protecting an organisation’s assets. Take physical security, information security and risk management into consideration, and use the proper measures to strengthen any weaknesses in these areas.
You will need crisis and risk management skills for this role to mitigate potential threats and prepare for security incidents and emergencies. Use your skills as a Mobile Support Officer to enforce your abilities and find proficient solutions to any security problems.
FAQs on Becoming a Mobile Support Officer
Is Being a Mobile Support Officer Difficult?
Being a Mobile Support Officer can be challenging, as you will need to deal with security issues in emergencies and respond quickly to security breaches.
Do You Need Qualifications to Become a Mobile Support Officer?
You need an SIA licence to legally become a Mobile Support Officer, beyond that you will need strong communication and problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing situations.
How Much Does a Mobile Support Officer Earn in the UK?
The average annual salary for a Mobile Support Officer is around £24,000 per year depending on your experience, location and the company you work for.
What Does a Mobile Support Officer Do?
A Mobile Support Officer deals with security and client support, using their communication skills and adaptability to deal with security situations.
