2019 EPSO Security Officers and Assistants Competition Released

The European Personnel Selection Office (EPSO) has just released a Notice of Competition – calling forward applications for the EPSO Security Officers and Assistants competition.

Reference Number: AST (EPSO/AST/147/19) / AD (EPSO/AD/364/19)
Open for Applications: 24 January, 2019
Application Deadline: 26 February, 2019 (12-noon Brussels Time)
Grade: AST3 (Assistants) and AD7 (Officers)
This notice covers two competitions, containing three fields each. You may only apply to one field per competition.
This competition includes a Talent Screener
Candidates to either competition must possess EU SECRET security clearance, granting access to classified documents, or be prepared to undergo the relevant safety investigation upon recruitment (exclusion from the recruitment procedure will be automatic if no security clearance may be granted).

Under the EPSO Security Officers and Assistants competition, the following profiles and reserve lists have been advertised, from which the EU institutions may recruit new members:

Reference Number & Profile	Candidates Sought
EPSO/AST/147/19 - 1: Security Assistants - Security Operations	37
EPSO/AST/147/19 - 2: Security Assistants - Technical Security	28
EPSO/AST/147/19 - 3. Security Assistants - Information and Document Security	19
EPSO/AD/364/19 - 1: Security Officers - Security Operations	16
EPSO/AD/364/19 - 2: Security Officers - Technical Security	5
EPSO/AD/364/19 - 3: Security Officers - Information and Document Security	17

Below we will explore the specifics of this competition and the selection process that you will need to undertake.

Want to join the conversation and talk to other candidates about this competition?
Get helpful hints and advice from other candidates via the EPSO Security and Protection Officers/Assistants Exams Facebook Group.

Getting ready for the EPSO Security Officers and Assistants competition?
Access the Security Officers and Assistants practice package here, and view methodology webinars here - some are even FREE!

Snapshot of the 2019 EPSO Security Officers and Assistants Competition

The deadline for registrations is 26 February 2019, at 12 midday (CET).

This competition will recruit security officers and security assistants at AST3 and AD7 level.

The Institutions’ security services are looking for assistants (AST3 Grade) whose main duties will be to assist in the operational aspects related to the protection of persons, property and sensitive and classified information.

In addition, the Institutions’ security services are looking for officers (AD7 Grade) whose principal function will be to ensure the security of persons, buildings, property and sensitive and classified information in an effective manner, capable also of coordinating teams and projects.

Both levels may need to perform duties on a rota system outside of office hours depending on the specific requirements of the various institutions, as well as stand-by duties.

Please see ANNEX I of the Notice of Competition for more specific information.

Successful applicants can be recruited by any institution of the European Union and therefore available positions may be based in any number of locations.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates will need to satisfy the following:

Have EU citizenship
Fulfilled any military service requirements
Meet the character requirements for the duties concerned
Must have knowledge of at least two official EU languages:
- Have a thorough knowledge (minimum C1 level) of one of the 24 official EU languages – will be defined as your Language 1
- Have a good command (minimum B2 level) of either English or French and must be different to your Language 1 choice – will be defined as your Language 2. (The application's Talent Screener component must be filled out in your chosen Language 2)
Qualifications & Work Experience:
- Grade AST3 - Security Assistants
  - You must have a level of education which corresponds to completed post-secondary education attested by a diploma relevant to the nature of the duties (including diplomas awarded by a police academy or military school), or professional training equivalent to European Qualification Framework Level 5, followed by at least 3 years’ professional experience in the area of security relevant to the nature of the duties concerned OR
  - A level of education which corresponds to secondary education attested by a diploma giving access to post-secondary education, followed by at least 6 years’ professional experience in the area of security relevant to the nature of the duties concerned OR
  - Professional training (equivalent to European Qualification Framework Level 4), followed by at least 6 years professional experience in the area of security relevant to the nature of the duties concerned.
- Grade AD7 - Security Officers
  - You must have a level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least four years attested by a diploma, followed by at least six years professional experience in the area of security relevant to the duties concerned OR
  - A level of education which corresponds to completed university studies of at least three years attested by a diploma, followed by at least seven years’ professional experience in the area of security relevant to the duties concerned OR
  - Equivalent professional training attested by a diploma or a certificate issued by a higher education institution or by a public institution such as a police, military or intelligence academy, followed by at least seven years’ professional experience in the area of security relevant to the duties concerned.

Please consult ANNEX IV of the Notice of Competition for examples of minimum qualifications.

Selection Process

1. Pre-Selection Exam

This phase of the competition is made up of a series of computer-based multiple-choice questions and reasoning tests, which you will sit in one of EPSO’s accredited centres.

Tests	Language	Question	Duration	Pass mark
Verbal Reasoning	Language 1	20 questions	35 min	8/20
Numerical Reasoning	Language 1	10 questions	20 min	Numerical + Abstract Combined 8/20
Abstract Reasoning	Language 1	10 questions	10 min	Numerical + Abstract Combined 8/20
Field-Related Test	Language 2	20 questions	35 min	10/20

The results of the Numerical and Abstract Reasoning Tests will not be taken into account in your final overall pre-selection mark; however, you must reach the minimum pass mark in all tests in order to be able to qualify for the next stage of the competition.

Candidates will be selected in descending order of the marks obtained in the Verbal Reasoning and Field-Related Test, so it is really important to get the highest possible score that you can in these tests, as approximately 9 times (but no more than 10 times) the number of successful candidates sought for each profile will make it through to the next round.

2. Talent Screener

You MUST complete your Talent Screener in your chosen Language 2.

The selection board assigns a weighting to each selection criterion and based on the information provided in the Talent Screener each candidate will receive a score. Only those candidates with the highest overall marks will go through to the next stage. Therefore, you should include all relevant information in your Talent Screener answers, even if you have already mentioned it in other sections of your application form. The questions are based on the selection criteria included in this notice - see ANNEX II for the list of criteria.

3. Assessment Centre

Those who scored the highest marks in the Talent Screener will be invited to the Assessment Centre. A maximum of 3 times the number of successful candidates sought for each profile will be invited to this phase.

Please note that the Assessment Centre will most likely take place in Brussels and will need to be completed in your chosen Language 2.

7 general competencies for the Security Assistants profiles and 8 general competencies for the Security Officers profiles, as well as the field-related competencies required for each profile, will be tested through 4 tests:

Case Study
Group Exercise
General Competency-based Interview
Field-Related Interview

Each competency will be awarded a mark out of 10, with a total pass mark required of 35/70 for the Security Assistants profiles and 40/80 for the Security Officers profiles.

4. Reserve List

After checking candidates’ supporting documents, the selection board will draw up a Reserve List (for each profile) of the eligible candidates who obtained the highest overall score, until the number of successful candidates sought is reached.

How Can You Apply?

Make sure to ALWAYS check the official Notice of Competition and understand the rules relating to the exams. For full details on this profile and the selection procedure read the official Notice of Competition and the General Rules Governing Open Competitions to ensure you have the required qualifications and satisfy the eligibility criteria before applying.

To start the application process, click below for the various profiles:

Security Assistants - Security Operations
Security Assistants - Technical Security
Security Assistants - Information and Document Security
Security Officers - Security Operations
Security Officers - Technical Security
Security Officers - Information and Document Security