Freight Security Assistant

Job Introduction

About Portsmouth City Council

Portsmouth City Council is a unique organisation, committed to making a difference, and is guided by core values that set who we are as people, what we stand for, and how we act.

We are committed to our values of respect, integrity, collaboration, inclusivity and being people-focussed. These values set out how we can contribute to the success of the council and our own success as individuals. Learn more about our values and behaviours. 

Job introduction 

This is a great opportunity to join Portsmouth International Port as a Freight Security Assistant! The role is full-time and permanent and is at the salary banding Band 6 - £28,239 - £32,061 plus 22% shift allowance and 6.31 hours of contractual overtime. The role is an average of 43.31 hours per week (including weekends and bank holidays) worked over a variable shift pattern covering 24/7 operations.

Your new role

Based at Portsmouth International Port (PIP), and reporting to the Terminal Supervisor, the role works within the freight related areas of the Port, both within gate houses and outside within all areas of the Port. The main duties of the role are:

• To control the entry and exit of vehicles to and from the Port via the site’s freight gates and as and where directed, elsewhere. This may include working alone or as part of a team.
• To ensure that all export freight is processed in accordance with customer expectations.
• To provide security services as required by PIP including but not limited to searching, passes, data processing and site rounds, this may include working alone or as part of a team.
• To manage, marshal/park and monitor traffic and freight units on site.
• To operate the Ports freight software solutions and systems to fulfil the requirements of the role.
• To assist and support the Terminal Supervisor as directed in their routine tasks.
• Required to be proficient in all skills and competencies needed to carry out the duties of the post.
• Required to be proficient, to obtain the training specification for the post of Terminal Supervisor within an agreed period.
• Provide proactive liaison with all Port Users: shipping companies, statutory authorities, contractors, etc. as required to enable the smooth operation of the Freight Gate complex.
• Required to comply with all PIP and Portsmouth City Council policies and procedures including all current quality standards.
• Undertake any other tasks that may reasonably be allocated by PIP.
• Deliver a sufficient level of service as expected by Portsmouth City Council and PIP.  
• Where required, drive Port/PCC vehicles as part of your duties.
• You would also be expected to play an active part in promoting a safe and secure working environment.  

Who is the person?: 

• You must be customer focused and be able to demonstrate your ability in communicating with people at all levels within the organisation as well as with external customers and the general public.
• You must be able to demonstrate knowledge of, and how to apply, Portsmouth City Councils’ core values.   
• You need a good standard of education.
• You must be computer literate and be competent in data entry, as well as the use of different software solutions and systems and be able to demonstrate this.
• You need to be able to develop a good understanding of current Port security legislation.
• You need to be able to develop an awareness of the regulations for the transportation and storage of dangerous goods and hazardous cargoes.
• An understanding of both freight control and the marshalling of passengers and traffic would be advantageous.
• You should have an awareness of the Health & Safety at Work Act
• You must be capable of working alone and as part of a team and be able to demonstrate this.
• You should be capable of working both indoors and outdoors in all weathers and be able to demonstrate this.
• You should be a good problem solver and be capable of working through problems to provide solutions for both your Supervisor and others within the freight team.
• Ideally you will hold a clean, full UK driving license, or at least be undertaking lessons to attain this within a reasonable period.
• A good knowledge of the local area would be advantageous. 

The full job profile for this role is attached at the bottom of the page.

Our recruitment process

Full information about our recruitment process can be found on our support for applicants' page: Support for applicants - Careers portal

You must demonstrate why you are suitable against each of the points described in the 'Who is the Person' points on the Job Profile using examples from your experience or transferable skills. This might be through qualifications or descriptive examples from your work / personal experience, which clearly illustrates what you did and the effect it had. If you apply without a detailed personal statement, it is unlikely that you will be successful. 

We are a disability confident employer and Armed Forces Covenant gold standard. More information can be found at Equality, diversity and inclusion - Careers portal

Should you require any support in completing the application form please contact recruit@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or call the recruitment team on 023 92 616 800. 

If you have any questions, or would like an informal discussion about the role, please call our duty Terminal Supervisor on 02392 855931 or email freight@portsmouth-port.co.uk  

You will need to demonstrate that you have the Right to Work in the UK. No post will be offered without it.

Read more about working at Portsmouth City Council and our benefits on our career's portal homepage: Careers Portal - Find jobs with Portsmouth City Council

All employees and third parties working at the Portsmouth International Port are subject to the Substance Misuse - Drug & Alcohol Testing Policy and the Port reserves the right to carry out with cause and random testing. In line with Home Office requirements, employees must also register their personal details on the government's central database, Access Pass Holder Information Distribution System (APHIDS), as without this registration employees will be denied entry to the Restricted Area (RA) of Portsmouth International Port.

Interview date: 30th January 2026