CCTV OPERATOR Role

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CCTV Operator
Also known as
Public Space CCTV Operator
Work Activities
As a CCTV Operator, you will be responsible for operating the CCTV cameras
or any other equipment in a control centre.surveillance
You may use a keyboard or joystick to select and move the cameras remotely
and to zoom in and out. You are also usually responsible for making sure that
all equipment is working correctly.
You will watch carefully for things like criminal activity, suspicious or unusual behaviour, accidents and non-criminal
incidents.
When you see one of these events, you will alert the Police, other Security Officers or another service (for example,
the fire or ambulance service) as quickly as possible. You might use phones and two-way radio systems to do this.
CCTV Operators must give clear and correct descriptions of people, vehicles and incidents in a calm and professional
manner.
You might be asked by the police to follow a suspect through a town centre from one CCTV camera to another. Or,
you could be asked to keep watch on a building, street or open space if the police have information that some
criminal activity might take place there.
You might have to deal with more than one person or incident at a time. You might be asked to search through
footage from a particular camera between certain dates or times to see if an incident has been caught on camera.
CCTV Operators keep careful logs of observations and incidents. This might be handwritten and some might be typed
into a computer system. You might also record and store video or digital recordings and still images securely, for use
in evidence or in case they need to be checked after an incident.
CCTV Operators use their knowledge of relevant laws, for example, those relating to data protection, human rights
and freedom of information, to operate cameras and record evidence in a legal and ethical way.
Some CCTV Operators might need to give evidence in court on some occasions.
Being able to read, write and speak Welsh may be an advantage when you’re looking for work in Wales.
Personal Qualities and Skills
To become a Operator, you'll need:CCTV
to be honest, responsible, reliable and alert
good observational skills
excellent communication skills, including clear speech
the ability to deal calmly with emergency situations
common sense, curiosity and a practical approach
to be able to keep clear written records
practical skills to operate cameras and recording equipment
an interest in law
to be able to work well on your own and in a team
the ability to concentrate throughout either a day-shift or night-shift
to keep information confidential
some IT and keyboard skills

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You'll need good eyesight and hearing.
Pay and Opportunities
Pay
The pay rates given below are approximate.
Starting: £18,000 - £19,500
With experience: £21,500 - £25,000
Senior CCTV Operators earn £27,500 - £30,500
Hours of work
CCTV Operators work 39 to 42 hours a week, including shift work, nights, weekends and bank holidays. Overtime is a
fairly common feature for all Security Officers.
Where could I work?
Employers include:
local authorities
private security firms
police forces
universities
hospitals
commercial and industrial establishments
Property Estate Owners
government departments
shops
warehouses
Opportunities for CCTV Operators occur in towns and cities throughout the UK.
Where are vacancies advertised?
Vacancies are advertised in local newspapers, on websites such as LGJobs, on , such as JobSecurity.co.uk,job boards
on and at .Find a Job Jobcentre Plus
Entry Routes and Training
Entry routes
Public Space CCTV Operators working under are regulated and licensed by the Security IndustrySurveillance contract
Authority (SIA), and must hold a SIA licence to operate legally.
To obtain a SIA licence, CCTV Operators must be at least 18, take approved training, attain a national qualification in
their sector and pass an identity and criminal records check. A SIA licence is issued for three years.
Employers usually carry out a detailed screening of the history of the applicant.
An is also great place to start. You may be able to take a vocational qualification,Intermediate Level Apprenticeship
such as a , as part of your apprenticeship. Take a look at our information articleNVQ 'Apprenticeships – How do I
, for more details about applying for apprenticeship positions.apply'
Training

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The SIA endorses awarding bodies that offer qualifications and approve trainers; it has a list of training providers
approved by the awarding bodies to offer the award in CCTV operations (public space surveillance).level 2
The training covers:
the role and responsibilities of CCTV Operators
codes of practice and procedures
CCTV equipment and its operation
law
dealing with incidents
surveillance techniques
emergency procedures
health and safety
There is a certificate in providing security services at level 2 that can be taken while in employment.
Work Experience
Previous experience in a security environment will be useful for this career. Experience working as a Police Officer,
Prison Officer, Firefighter or in the armed forces would be really helpful for this career.
Progression
CCTV Operators can progress to Team Leader, Supervisor and Manager posts.
Rehabilitation of Offenders Act
Working as a public space CCTV Operator under contract is an exception to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974.
This means that you must supply information to an employer about any or unspent convictions, cautions,spent
reprimands or warnings, if they ask you to. This is different from other careers, where you only have to reveal
information on unspent convictions if you are asked to.
Not all criminal records will prevent you from applying for an SIA licence. If you have a criminal record, the SIA will
look at how recent, how serious and how relevant the record is. The SIA has a Criminal Record Indicator on its
website where you can check anonymously whether you would be eligible for an SIA licence.
Qualifications
To get onto an , you’ll usually need at least 2 at grade C/4 or above, possiblyIntermediate Level Apprenticeship GCSEs
including English and maths.
A relevant work-related qualification, such as a or might be accepted for entry.BTEC City & Guilds level 2 qualification
Adult Opportunities
Age limits
Age limits apply to this occupation. Contracted public space operators must be at least 18 years of age to hold aCCTV
Security Industry Authority (SIA) licence.
Entry routes
Intermediate Level Apprenticeships in Providing Security Services might be available in your area.
Skills/experience
Some applicants have a police, prison officer, firefighter or armed forces background.
Courses
Level 2 awards for CCTV operators are available from a large number of providers throughout the UK.

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Short courses normally last four days, delivered during weekdays, weekends and/or in evening sessions.
A list of training providers is available from the SIA website.
If you already have some form of UK qualification in CCTV operation, or you have worked in a CCTV control room
within the last three years, you could be from all or part of the SIA approved training. Full details ofexempt
exemptions are available on the SIA website.
Statistics
16% of people in occupations such as CCTV operator work part-time.
3% have .flexible hours
6% of employees work on a temporary basis.
Further Information
Contacts
Apprenticeships: Get In. Go Far
National Apprenticeship Service (NAS)
Tel: 0800 015 0400
Email: nationalhelpdesk@findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk
Website: www.apprenticeships.org.uk
LGjobs
Local government vacancies
Website: www.lgjobs.com
myjobscotland: Scottish local government vacancies
Scottish enquiries
Email: myjobscotland@cosla.gov.uk
Website: www.myjobscotland.gov.uk
International Professional Security Association (IPSA)
Address: Railway House, Railway Road, Chorley, Lancashire PR6 0HW
Tel: 0845 8738114
Email: post@ipsa.org.uk
Website: www.ipsa.org.uk
Security Industry Authority (SIA)
Address: PO Box 1293, Liverpool L69 1AX
Tel: 0844 8921025
Website: www.sia.homeoffice.gov.uk
Skills for Security
Address: Security House, Barbourne Road, Worcester WR1 1RS
Tel: 01905 744000
Email: info@skillsforsecurity.org.uk
Website: www.skillsforsecurity.org.uk
Careers in the Private Security Industry
Publisher: International Professional Security Association (IPSA)
Email: post@ipsa.org.uk
Website: www.ipsa.org.uk/downloads/Careersleaflet.pdf
Professional Security Magazine
Publisher: JTC Associates
Tel: 01922 415233
Email: info@professionalsecurity.co.uk
Website: www.professionalsecurity.co.uk

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Careers Wales - Welsh Apprenticeships
Tel: 0800 028 4844
Website: ams.careerswales.com/
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