Part II

As a new recruit, you would have an initial period of training, which takes around 10 weeks. This will take place in Manchester, Heathrow or Gatwick Airports, or at the port of Dover.

Once you are in post, you can expect to receive on-the-job training on issues such as interview techniques, relevant immigration legislation, case law, policy and procedures. You may also have access to in-house training and your employer may support you during external work-related courses and language training.

Starting salaries for immigration officers can be around 21, 500 to 22, 000 pounds a year;

with experience this can rise around 27, 000, senior officers can earn up to 31, 000 pounds a year.

Additional payments may also be made to those in London, and for working shifts, weekends and bank holidays.

You would work between 36 and 40 hours a week, a full-time immigration officer. This would involve shifts including nights, weekends and bank holidays.

Your work would mainly take place indoors, at ports and airports in the UK. You could also be based at overseas transport facilities that act as entry points to the UK for example the Channel Tunnel rail terminal in France.

There has been a large expansion programme within the immigration service, and opportunities in this area are expected to continue to grow. You must be prepared to work at any of he 50 or so airports and seaports around the UK and the Channel Tunnel.

With experience you could progress to chief immigration officer or move into the general grades for promotion to higher executive officer.

What skills and knowledge will you need?

• A confident, responsible and methodical approach to work;

• the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines;

• the ability to manage a complex workload;

• good spoken and communication skills;

• the ability to work alone and in a team;

• good powers of observation.

Task 14. Read, translate the texts (4 and 5) and compare it with a job of a customs officer in Russia.

Text 4 Customs officer in Australia

Customs officer in Australia work for the Australian Customs Service, mainly at major airports, seaports or outposts along the Australian coastline.

Customs officers check passengers and crew before clearing them for entry into Australia. They check luggage and other cargo of ships and aircraft to prevent the illegal entry into Australia of prohibited, quarantined or dutiable goods.

Customs officers may perform the following tasks:

• assess risk levels of all passengers, crew, aircraft, ship’s cargo and mail entering or leaving Australia;

• board ships and aircraft to detect illegal activity such as undocumented cargo, prohibited goods or stowaways;

• check documents, examine luggage and clear goods for import or export;

• write reports;

• collect tariffs and duty;

• patrol the coastline to detect illegal entry of people, drugs, firearms, and other goods and vessels;

• make arrests, assist with prosecution and give evidence in court;

• monitor security in customs-controlled areas.

Much of the work undertaken by Customs Trainees and Level 1 officers involves contact with the public, use computers and clerical duties. Most positions involve shift work.

Customs officers in Australia usually work as part of the team o under general supervision. During initial training and the early stages of their careers, they can expect to be moved through a number of different areas, some of which may involve shift work and overtime. This may include periods of transfer to Customs centers around Australia.

A Customs uniform is usually worn.

Personal Requirements:

• good communication and interpersonal skills;

• flexible and resourceful;

• good organization and planning skills;

• able to work as part of a team;

• courteous and efficient with high ethnical standards;

• pass a medical examination;

• satisfy Customs security requirements;

• at least 18 years of age;

• must be an Australian citizen.

Task 15. Find the sentences where the Infinitive is used.

Task 16. Answer the following questions:

1. Where do Australian customs officers mainly work at?

2. What tasks may customs officers perform?

3. What are the duties of the Level 1 officers?

4. Is a customs uniform necessary in Australia?

5. What personal requirements of a customs officer in Australia do you know?

6. What general skills are required?

7. Are the requirements the same as in Russian Customs Service?

8. Where do you think is more difficult to work: at Australian Customs Service, or in Russian Customs Service?

Task 17. Put the verbs given in brackets in the correct form.

1. If the officer assigned to the job is ill or on vocation, severe backlogs and delays ____

(can/ not/ avoid).

2. If the certificate is not sent in time, the business community _____ (penalize).

3. If he hadn’t climbed the ladder, he _____ (not/ break) his leg.

5. I _____(give) John your message If I should see him today.

6. Those plants ______ (not/ grow) if you don’t water them.

7. I would buy that bag if it ______(be) cheaper.

8. If she _____ (open) the letter, she would have been surprised.

Task 18. Read, translate the texts (6 and 7) and sum up the differences and similarities of a job of a customs broker in the USA and in Russia: