New Zealand Customs Service Looking for Customs Surveillance Course Opportunities at Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand Full Time

Get on the New Zealand Customs Service career pathway

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa protects and promotes Aotearoa New Zealand through world class border management. “We’re looking for people who have an eye for detail and thrive on working in a close-knit team. This is not a nine to five job. If you’re adaptable, driven to succeed and enjoy an ever changing environment, we’re looking for you.”

Mō te akoranga | About the course…

The Customs Surveillance Unit (CSU) works with partner agencies in New Zealand and overseas. CSU team members learn technical, operational and tactical skills from experts in a variety of disciplines and gain unique perspectives of the surveillance environment.

You are applying to an intensive six-week qualification course. It’s a residential course, so you’ll be away from home, including some weekend course work. You must be available to attend this course in full.

Ko wai koe | About you…

You’ll need solid analytical and creative thinking skills, resilience, and the ability to build positive, open relationships. You’ll have excellent attention to detail and sound judgement. We’re looking for people who remain calm and composed in high stress situations, adapt quickly and easily to change, and work well on their own and as part of a team.

You should be comfortable using technology, but you don’t need to be an expert. Your work in a related operational role or environment, particularly in surveillance, is a benefit but not essential. Our communities are diverse and we value diversity in our team. The best surveillance team members are often those who might seem least likely to be in such a role. Your common sense and willingness to learn are the most important skills you’ll bring to the CSU, and we welcome applications from anyone with these skills and an interest. Speaking another language is useful in this role.

If you’re wondering what it’s like to work in surveillance, look online for the Physical Surveillance Unit Recruiting Video from our international partner agency, Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). The video provides a snapshot of surveillance work similar to our work in the CSU.

Me pehea te whakauru | How to apply…

The recruitment process for the course

The first step is to submit your application online. The application process takes a bit of time, so it’s best to set aside some time when you won’t be interrupted. If you’re shortlisted, you’ll be asked to complete online psychometric testing. Successful applicants will be invited to a full-day Assessment Centre for an interview, assessment activities and real-world surveillance tasks.

If your application is progressed past the Assessment Centre stage, you’ll be asked to complete a medical check, drug screening and a physical test. The physical test is the ‘beep test’, which measures you against average levels of fitness for your age and gender. It involves running shuttles.

If you are successful on the assessment centre, you’ll also need to complete a two day advanced driver training and assessment. This is a pass/fail course.

At this point, you may be offered a fixed term contract for which is a Pass or Fail course. This is an essential first step to joining the CSU, but it is not a guarantee that you’ll be offered a surveillance role.

If you pass the course, you’ll have the Customs qualification necessary for being eligible for a role in the CSU. A certain number of qualified applicants will be offered surveillance roles after the course – whether you’re offered a role will depend on the number of spaces available at the time and your performance on the course. If you pass the course and are not offered a surveillance role, your qualification will allow you to apply for future surveillance roles – within a certain timeframe, after which you’ll need to refresh your qualification.

If you’re not successful on the six-week course, you won’t be eligible for surveillance roles at Customs. Candidates on the course will be assessed throughout the six-weeks and will be required to pass each assessment. You will however, be paid for the full six weeks. *There may be an opportunity if you are unsuccessful throughout the 6 week surveillance course to join NZ Customs as a Customs Officer on deployment.

Requirements To Apply

Background checks and clearances

You will require Top Secret level national security clearance. To achieve Top Secret clearance, you must be a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident who has resided in New Zealand, Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom or the United States continuously for the last 10 years. Already having Top Secret clearance is a benefit.

Working conditions

If you are offered a surveillance role post the course, you will need to be available to work unpredictable and long hours at times. There will be times when you will be away from home for long periods, and at short or no notice. With that in mind, it’s important to talk to those closest to you early on about the unpredictable nature of the schedule involved. While the job is demanding, we recognise that work is only one aspect of your life. We believe it’s essential to provide flexibility to fit around people’s other commitments.

CSU jobs are based in Auckland. If you’re not based in or near Auckland, you’ll need to be willing to relocate. You’ll need to be available on short notice for deployment to locations around New Zealand.

Discretion is central to surveillance work. The assessment and training process for these roles is confidential. If you choose to enter the recruitment process, please do not discuss it with anyone outside of the Customs assessment team.

Mahi ki te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa | Working at Customs

Customs offers a dynamic and collaborative workplace with opportunities to develop and advance. Our people get on-the-job training, formal courses and leadership courses, and the chance to move across diverse roles. We foster an inclusive and supportive team environment with vibrant social and Māori cultural groups. Our people enjoy discounted health insurance and free on-site gyms (in some locations). We also support flexible working arrangements

How to apply | Me pehea te whakauru…

Please apply online. Yu will be asked to provide your current CV and Cover Letter. You will also be asked to give a brief outline of your interest in the role plus your skills and experience relevant to this role. You will also be asked to answer a couple of competency-based questions. It’s best to set aside some time when you won’t be interrupted.

For more information contact [email protected]

Applications close at 5pm on Friday 20th October.

New Zealand Customs Service | Te Mana Ārai o Aotearoa is a member of Diversity Works New Zealand and is committed to developing a diverse workforce and an inclusive workplace. We provide equal employment opportunities and welcome applications from everyone who can meet the requirements of the role.