Control Room Operator

Typical job description and responsibilities

Control Room Operator Duties and Responsibilities:

• Handle incoming calls
• Monitor Control Room Systems
• Provide customer service when called upon to do so
• Handle crisis and emergency situations calmly and with confidence
• Ensure all safety and emergency procedures are followed
• CCTV monitoring

This job does not require as much time on your feet as other sectors of security. It does however require a lot of mental sharpness. That means your eyes will have to be sharp to pick up suspicious activity on camera if that is your assignment. In other Control Room settings, you will be the go-to for all types of communication. For example, if an officer needs to get in contact with someone out on the field. 

You may also be needed to field incoming calls and direct them to relevant departments. A lot of this work is based not just on your training but on your communication skills as well. The better you are at understanding modern communication systems the better you will be at this job.

Control Room Operators are also responsible for:  

• Being able to recognize suspicious behavior 
• Ensuring that your Radio Base Station is functional
• Tracking company vehicles 
• Issuing security alerts as needed

Working Conditions

It’s important to understand the crucial role that a Control Room plays in security. It is considered the heart of security communication. That’s because it brings many different aspects of security monitoring in one room.

It can be demanding work as most modern-day Control Rooms are never shut down and constantly have someone monitoring activities on a 24-hour basis. It also requires a level of trust from your employer since you will be exposed to sensitive information in the carrying out of your duties.

Your professionalism may be on display at all times as well as many Control Rooms are often monitored for ensuring that certain protocols are followed. The job can be very rewarding as you continue to learn more about communication systems and coordinating with personnel.

Skills and personal qualities required: 

A Control Room Operator needs to be:

• Always alert of their surroundings
• Understand modern day communication systems
• Understand how to operate CCTV 
• Respond quickly to requests from other officers
• Respond quickly to emergency situations
• Dedicated to observing the behavior of individuals on camera
• Detail-oriented 
• Physically fit
• A quick problem solver
• Able to quickly communicate with the rest of the team and coordinate appropriately
• Knowledgeable of licensing laws and health and safety regulations
• Able to write basic reports and detail events accurately

Education required

There are no specific qualifications such as GCSEs required to take your SIA course. However, because all you need is your SIA qualification you will be competing with a lot of people from countries around the world who have the right to work in the UK. You should have at least a strong command of English and be able to handle technology.

Benefits of the jobs:

• Management of security responses and detail
• Real-life experience with technology integration
• Developing real investigative skills
• Shifts often help with life/work balance
• Developing teamwork skills
• Developing better communication skills 

Life skills they would acquire:

As a Control Room Operator, you will get the opportunity to learn to use the right technology to ensure that your team and client is safe. This may expose you to new opportunities in terms of learning about unique technological equipment. You can also look forward to gaining the skills that can help keep you calm when dealing with an emergency situation.

You can also expect to:

• Learn about working in the Private Security Industry
• Learn about working as a CCTV Operator

You’ll also improve several skill sets including: 

• Communication
• Decision-making
• Observation
• Concentration