Introduction

Many councils use closed circuit television (CCTV) surveillance cameras to ensure the safety of staff and members of the public using council-run car parks and working in or visiting council buildings. CCTV Operators in central control rooms monitor screens linked to strategically placed cameras and look out for any illegal activities on council premises.

Work Environment

CCTV operators work seated in front of banks of VDU screens. They are usually expected to work in a shift system over 24 hours. A typical pattern might be to work two morning shifts, two afternoons and two nights, followed by two days off. They may work in small teams or alone and are in frequent telephone and radio contact with colleagues, security staff and police.

Part time posts are available in some councils.

Daily Activities

CCTV operators may be responsible for up to 15 screens, receiving live pictures that come in automatically from over 100 surveillance cameras. They monitor the screens constantly.

They are also able to operate cameras themselves from the control room. They decide which areas to concentrate on at particular times. For instance, when they know that car park attendants are due to collect the cash from ticket machines, they monitor them. If council employees need to enter their offices out of normal hours, CCTV operators watch them as they move through the building. At night they regularly scan cleaners working in empty buildings. If alarms go off and caretakers need to enter buildings to check the reason, they monitor them.

If CCTV operators see anyone behaving suspiciously they continue monitoring and if they see an act of theft or vandalism being committed they contact security staff or the police instantly. In the course of monitoring council buildings CCTV operators might see some suspicious or anti-social behaviour elsewhere in the town. If so, they notify the police.

Some CCTV operators also act as security staff. If, for example, social workers need to make an emergency night visit to a client, they inform the operator, give the address they are due to visit and phone in at agreed regular intervals. If more than 30 minutes pass without a phone call, the CCTV operator will try to ring them on their mobile phone – and if there is no reply, contact the police.

CCTV operators are responsible for their own videotapes. They must make sure that they never record over a tape and they keep the tapes from each shift for a designated period in case the police require them.

They keep a written log of all incidents they see on the screen and may have to pass this to the police.

Skills & Interests

CCTV operators need:

• excellent eyesight,
• strong powers of concentration,
• to be able to react quickly and calmly in an emergency,
• good communication skills,
• to be discreet – confidentiality is very important, they must never discuss what they see on their monitors with outsiders,
• to be able to work without supervision.

Entry Requirements

There are no standard entry requirements. Some councils ask for previous experience in a security environment, such as police, armed services or store detective work.

Experience of using radio communication equipment is desirable. Some CCTV operators have worked as car park attendants.

Applicants must normally undergo a police check.

Councils provide all necessary training. CCTV operators may attend courses run by the Security Industry Training Organisation (SITO).

Estimated salary range

£12,000-£14,000 per year.

Please note that salary information is a guide only and there may be local agreements in place. For further information about salaries for particular positions, please contact your local council directly.

Future prospects & opportunities

A small council might employ three or four CCTV monitoring officers. In a large council there might be ten or more. Supervisory or management positions may be available depending on training and experience.

Related Occupations

Follow this link to view a list of all related occuptions in Building Your Community.
Alternatively, follow this link to view all career profiles placed in the same job area.

Further Information & Services

SITO www.sito.co.uk

You may find further information about this area of work in your local careers office/school careers library – under UK.

What should I do next?

Look for current local government CCTV Operator vacancies in the following places:

• LGjobs.com - the official recruitment website for local government.
• Weekly, bi-weekly or monthly jobs bulletins produced by local councils themselves, available from libraries, community centres, town halls/main civic buildings and central council personnel departments.
• Local council websites.
• Local newspapers
• National newspapers – The Guardian is particularly well known for its public sector job advertisements on a Wednesday.

Find out about the council and get some work experience if possible by:

• Making the most of work experience placements arranged through your school, college or university.
• Contacting councils close to your home to find out about the work experience opportunities they offer.
• Talking to someone who does the job you are interested in – ring your local council to see if someone can spare some time.
• Making an appointment to see a careers adviser for more specific information about jobs and training.