They are the first faces we meet every morning on the ROSEN premises – our security staff. One of them is Security Specialist Norbert. In this interview, he shares insights into his everyday work with us and reveals how he covers up to 15 kilometres in one night at ROSEN.
Hello Norbert, you work at ROSEN as a Security Specialist. How did you get into this profession?
After working as a bricklayer until 2017, I decided to retrain as a specialist for protection and security for health reasons. Before I joined ROSEN, I worked in the property management of a central accommodation facility for refugees (ZUE). When ROSEN planned to set up its own security service in 2022 and integrate it into the company, I applied directly and started as a security specialist in 2023.
And why did you choose ROSEN as your employer?
First of all, the fact that ROSEN is a very large company and therefore wants to integrate its own security service appealed to me greatly. Normally, as a security guard you work for a security service provider on different properties, so you are always an external employee in the respective companies. This means changing companies regularly. ROSEN is different. Here we work exclusively for ROSEN and are the main responsible for the security area in the company. As a result, we have a fixed group of colleagues, always work in the same team, can exchange ideas with each other and everyone is well integrated. You don't have that anywhere else. This and the responsibility I take on here appealed to me very much.
Most often, your colleagues see you at the entrance control at the barriers. Apart from that, what are your tasks? Do you have a typical working day?
As a security service, we are practically responsible for everything that concerns safety and danger, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – including weekends and nights. My tasks change depending on what shift I have. During the day, I am responsible for admission control, take care of customer service, monitor the hazard alarm system and also control the entrances to the site via video surveillance. On the night shift, when it's pretty empty and quiet on the premises, I do my patrols. Each building and each individual office is checked and then the alarm system is activated on site. In addition, I check the building façade and check the outer boundaries of the company premises. The running machines must also be checked in order to be able to react quickly in case of a defect or an error message. We are in constant contact with our colleagues from IT and Facility in order to be able to guarantee constant security at the site.
You certainly run a kilometer or two at night, right?
Yes in any case. I guess I cover about 15 kilometers per night shift.
With all the different tasks, what do you enjoy most about your work?
Everything! I really enjoy everything. My working days are very varied, especially due to the many different customers we receive here at ROSEN. And depending on which station I am at, Am Seitenkanal or Edisonstraße, I also have to deal with different people. At the station at the entrance “Am Seitenkanal", delivery traffic has to be processed in addition to customer service, at the entrance to “Edisonstraße" the first priority is customer service and ID checks when entering the premises.
Do you need special qualifications or personal skills for your job?
I trained as a specialist for protection and security and also trained as a fire protection officer and safety officer. In addition, at least basic English skills are required, especially for the care of our many international visitors. In the security service, you should also always be friendly, but self-confident and decisive when given instructions in order to avoid misunderstandings.
You just mentioned that you and your colleagues work in shifts. What does this mean for your working hours exactly?
We work in 12-hour shifts, i.e. for the day shift from 6 am to 6 pm and then comes the night shift from 6 pm to 6 am. Due to our working time of twelve hours, we only work on a maximum of three consecutive days and then have a few days off. I think that's very good, it makes us much more attentive and allows us to react faster.
And what are your plans for the future?
I will definitely stay with ROSEN! I really like it here. I appreciate the working atmosphere and my colleagues. Apart from that, I would always like to educate myself in relation to the current legal situation.
Thank you very much for the interesting insights into your profession, Norbert!