202510: Prison Officer - HMP Stafford

This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom.

Job Overview

There is no such thing as a typical prison officer. Our officers come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with. Whether you are a parent, a teacher, have worked in retail, the armed forces, or just feel like you are a natural people person, you will bring empathy, self‑confidence, great communication skills and resilience. In this fast‑paced environment you will build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners who may be at the lowest point in their lives. Teamwork is essential; you will support colleagues and act as one team to keep the prison and everyone who works here safe. You will be required to work various shifts, some weekends, and will carry out many different roles in a single day – from peacekeeper to counsellor to teacher.

Responsibilities and Selection Criteria

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Making effective decisions
• Caring
• Show numerical, written and spoken English abilities
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment (eyesight, hearing, basic health screening)

Assessment and Application Process

• Stage 1 – online judge and numerical tests
• Stage 2 – online task‑based assessment
• Online Assessment Centre (OAC) to evaluate behaviours, strengths and abilities
• Offer to the merit list – top scorers first; list valid for 12 months
• Medical and fitness assessment once a vacancy is identified

Eligibility – Nationality and Right to Work

• 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 EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Qualifications, Attributes and Physical Requirements

• Be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment
• Pass the required medical and fitness assessment; meet eyesight and hearing standards (both with and without corrective lenses)
• Must not have offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating visible tattoos; facial tattoos generally not accepted except for cultural, religious or medical reasons
• For category A (high‑security) prisons, must have resided in the UK for the last three years
• Communication, influencing, commitment to quality, effective decision‑making, care and understanding – proven through assessment and interview
• Successfully pass a criminal record check and baseline personnel security checks for government assets

Working Conditions

• Shift work: evenings, nights, weekends and public holidays – with holiday paid in lieu of public holidays
• Initial training: 37 hours a week; thereafter you may choose 37, 39 or 41 hours a week – salary reflects weekly hours
• Travel to work: some prisons are in rural areas with limited public transport; driving licence and own transport is beneficial but not essential unless specified

Salary & Benefits

• 37 hours a week = £33,746 a year
• 39 hours a week = £35,875 a year
• 41 hours a week = £38,003 a year
• 25 days’ annual holiday (increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
• Paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension: employer contributions of 28.97%
• Cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

Diversity, Inclusion and Reasonable Adjustment

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities; see the Civil Service People Plan and Diversity and Inclusion Strategy. We run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Before attending any assessment, arrange reasonable adjustment support in advance; the scheme cannot accommodate changes on the day of the assessment. The Civil Service Code sets out standards of behaviour expected of civil servants; we recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

Application

To apply, complete the online application form and follow the steps outlined in the assessment process. Successful candidates will undergo a criminal record check and baseline personnel security standard checks. Apply early – the merit list is valid for 12 months and new vacancies may arise.