Security Monitoring Associate

Job information Security Monitoring Associate from the Company Planning Inspectorate, this latest Security Monitoring Associate job vacancy is located in the city Hybrid work in Bristol BS. This latest job opening is open to job seekers who have the latest education / graduate . Job Vacancies in this Entry Level field have been opened and published up to the specified time.

Job Description : DetailsReference number 407633Salary£36,396 - £39,424 A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% GBP Job grade Higher Executive Officer Contract type Fixed term Length of employment 24 Months Business area PINS - Corporate Services - Digital & Data Type of role Digital Information Technology Security Working pattern Flexible working, Full-time, Part-time, Compressed hours Number of jobs available 1Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location Bristol, South West England, BS1 6PN About the job Job summary

The Security Monitoring associate role is a key role with the Digital and Data and is part of a motivated inclusive security team who work collaboratively to ensure the Inspectorate's networks and systems remain secure.

This role will collect and analyse security event data arising from activity across the organisation, tune and improve rules generating security alerts, and follow up by investigating indicators of potentially malicious activity, escalating incidents or initiating responses.

The Planning Inspectorate has a long and proud history in ensuring a fair planning system for England. The work we do has a significant impact on people's lives, the communities where they live and the economy.

We want our colleagues to be able to work more flexibly and more collaboratively, exploring new and innovative ways to improve the way we provide services.

For further information on the Planning Inspectorate, please see the information pack attached. You can also view our careers page at Civil Service Careers

Job description

Are you passionate about Safeguarding critical digital assets? We're looking for a Security Monitoring Associate who thrives on solving complex security challenges, staying ahead of evolving threats, and making a real impact. In this role, you'll be a key player in protecting our infrastructure, data, and people from cyber threats.

In today's world, cybersecurity is more than just a technical discipline—it's a mission-critical function that protects people, data, and innovation. At the Planning Inspectorate, we don't just react to threats—we anticipate them, outsmart them, and build systems that are resilient by design.

In this role you will work alongside passionate professionals who thrive on solving complex problems, staying ahead of adversaries, and continuously improving our security posture. Whether it's analysing threat intelligence, responding to incidents, or hardening our infrastructure, your work will have a direct impact on the safety and success of our organisation.

We believe in empowering our people with the tools, training, and trust they need to grow. If you're looking for a role where your curiosity is valued, your skills are sharpened, and your contributions truly matter—this is the place for you.

Examples of tasks that would be undertaken include:

• Monitor and analyse security events using SIEM tools (e.g., Splunk, QRadar)
• Investigate and respond to security incidents and alerts
• Perform vulnerability assessments and recommend remediation strategies
• Collaborate with IT and DevOps teams to harden systems and networks
• Support compliance efforts (e.g., ISO 27001, NIST, GDPR)
• Contribute to threat intelligence and detection rule tuning
• Participate in red/blue team exercises and tabletop simulations

For full information on the role and assessment process please refer to the candidate pack attached.

Salary

New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Internal rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Office Attendance

This role is contractually based at Temple Quay House, Bristol which is currently out of use due to undergoing refurbishment work. In the interim, we have the use of alternative office space in very close proximity to Bristol Temple Meads railway station. We recognise and value the mutual benefits of hybrid working and have a flexible approach to in person attendance, which can vary dependent on the requirements of individual business units - the details of which can be discussed with candidates if invited to attend an interview.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Experience in analysing Security Information and Event Management (SIEM) SIEM reports and managing security incidents.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Effective communication skills, with the ability to work well in a team.
• Entry-level cyber security certifications e.g. Certified Security Operations Centre Analyst
• Experience analysing project workshop outputs and compile them into documentation/artifacts.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience in a similar role within the public sector.
• Knowledge of incident response frameworks and best practices.
• Ability to handle confidential information with discretion.

Qualifications Entry-level cyber security certifications e.g. Certified Security Operations Centre Analyst Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Intrusion detection and analysis
• Threat intelligence and threat assessment
• Cyber Security operations
• Government Security Profession career framework

Benefits Alongside your salary of £36,396, Planning Inspectorate contributes £10,543 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Flexible working options, including flexi-time, part-time, compressed hours and home working if suitable for the role.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• 25 days annual leave increasing by 1 day per year up to 30 days after 5 years, plus 1 privilege day to mark the King's birthday. In addition to the normal bank holidays.
• Generous family friendly policies.
• Fast and modern IT kit which utilises Windows 10 and Microsoft 365, enabling seamless working from home and collaboration across teams.

For full information see our Benefits information pack.

Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Application

Complete the online application form on Civil Service Jobs which requires the following information:

• A CV: The CV section is an opportunity for you to detail your career history. It should outline the jobs you have done, the length of time you were employed within each role and a brief description of your role, responsibilities and duties which demonstrate relevance to the role you are applying for against the essential criteria. You must type, or ‘copy and paste' into the text box called ‘Employment History' within the online application. You cannot attach a copy of your CV.
• A Personal Statement (1250 words max): The personal statement allows you to outline your suitability for the role in more depth, expanding on your CV evidence. It is an opportunity for you to provide evidence against the essential criteria listed within the candidate pack on the Person Specification page and link your answers to the listed Success Profile elements we are also assessing against .

We will assess your application on the evidence you have provided against the Essential Criteria and Success Profile elements detailed in the Person Specification in the candidate pack.

In the event of a large number of applications, a lead sift may take place. The following point will be used as the lead criteria when shortlisting if this happens, and if you do not meet the minimum standard the rest of your application will not be assessed.

• Entry-level cyber security certifications e.g. Certified Security Operations Centre Analyst

All shortlisted candidates will be advised of the outcome shortly afterwards.

Interview

If you are shortlisted, you will:

• Be asked to attend an interview to have a more in-depth discussion about your experience and suitability for the role
• Interviews will be a blend of behaviour, experience and technical questions

Candidates who are successful at shortlist stage will be sent full assessment requirements with their interview invitations.

Other Information

Shortlist Date: w/c 16th June

Interview Date: w/c 30th June

Interviews are currently being completed remotely using Microsoft Teams. We would like to reassure candidates that the virtual interview will not be recorded (or retained) within the Planning Inspectorate, other than usual interview protocol and in line with the Civil Service jobs Privacy notice.

We encourage all candidates to make themselves familiar with the role and what we will be assessing you against which is detailed in the Person Specification.

The Planning Inspectorate is committed to finding the right person for the job. We recruit using Success Profiles and consider the criteria you will need to demonstrate to be successful for the role.

ID and Documents

If specific qualifications/memberships are essential for the role and you are successful, you will be asked to provide accurate scanned or photographed images of the qualifications/memberships that you listed on your application prior to your start date.

We must check that any successful candidates are allowed to work for the Civil Service before we employ them. If successful, you will be asked to do a right to work check using identity document validation technology (IDVT) through the services of an Identity Service Provider (IDSP), Civil Service Jobs. If we are unable to confirm your right to work and through the IDVT we will need to do a manual right to work check using original documents with you in person.

Visa Sponsorship

The Planning Inspectorate cannot offer Visa sponsorship to candidates, we do not hold a Visa sponsorship licence.

Disability Confident Interview scheme

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. We run a Disability Confident Interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria for the job.

To be considered for an interview under the scheme you must:

• have a disability defined by the Equality Act 2010
• provide evidence in your application that you meet the minimum criteria in the job description
• meet all of the qualifications, skills or experience defined as essential

While we will endeavour to provide you with all the appropriate information, you are the expert on your specific requirements so if you require any adjustments, you should consider the information provided about the assessment process in the candidate pack and then:

• Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. The earlier and more clearly you tell us what you need and why you need it, the more likely we are to be able to accommodate you in a timely fashion.

Existing Civil Servants should ensure that they have an in-principle agreement for a loan prior to applying.

Higher Security Clearance

All Planning Inspectorate colleagues must meet the baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window). This is a series of basic security checks to confirm identity and employment history.

In addition to the BPSS, the level of security clearance required for this role is Security Check (SC) and the process can take a number of weeks to complete. For more details of vetting levels and requirements please refer to the Cabinet Office HMG Personnel Security Controls.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirementsWorking for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles . The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy . Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact :

• Name : Rachel Graham
• Email :

Recruitment team

• Email :

Further information If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should contact in the first instance: The Vacancy Manager via the Recruitment Team (). If you are not satisfied with the response, you receive you should then contact, Chief People Officer, via the Recruitment Team (). If you are still not satisfied with the response you receive from the Planning Inspectorate, you can contact the Office of the Civil Service Commission.