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- Tasks: Be the friendly face of the Probation Service, managing visitors and supporting office activities.
- Company: Join the Civil Service, committed to diversity and equal opportunities.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, a generous pension, and ample annual leave.
- Why this job: Make a difference in the community while developing your skills in a supportive environment.
- Qualifications: Strong ICT skills and excellent communication; experience in high-pressure settings is a plus.
- Other info: Great learning opportunities and a chance to grow within the Civil Service.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
This is an administrative role within the Probation Service Directorate in HMPPS. The position supports the provision of business specific and transactional office based activities and serves as the first point of contact for visitors, telephone callers and email enquiries.
Responsibilities
- Serve as the first point of contact for Probation Service visitors, logging arrivals and departures and issuing visitor passes and security fobs.
- Use situational awareness to diffuse potentially violent situations and raise safeguarding concerns to the appropriate personnel.
- Answer basic information enquiries about the Probation Service and local Person on Probation support services.
- Manage logistics for the building, including mail items, office stationery, meeting room equipment, delivery of items and room, hot desk and car parking bookings.
- Pay bus fares/travel warrants and handle petty cash collection and transport between Probation properties.
- Assist in maintaining Health and Safety and security aspects of the building – key holder, physical security, fire alarm testing, CCTV monitoring and evacuation support.
- Log building faults and incidents, maintain a maintenance log and decide on the urgency of faults to maintain building security.
- Support case administration of Person on Probation by providing confidential and high level administrative support – process files, use computer software, produce documentation and correspondence, access databases and scan/archive sensitive data.
Qualifications
- Proven proficiency in ICT skills across Microsoft Office applications.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Develop and deliver at pace and manage a quality service – demonstrated behaviours in previous roles.
- Experience in criminal justice field or experience in high pressure/stressful working environments is desirable.
- GCSE A or equivalent and ECDL/CLAIT or equivalent IT qualification to the competency level of ECDL.
Benefits
- Access to learning and development opportunities.
- Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
- Civil Service pension contribution of 28.97%.
- Annual leave and public holidays.
- Season Ticket Advance.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
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Receptionist - Southampton (Full -Time)(South Central) (Ref: 10876) employer: HM Prison and Probation Service
Contact Detail:
HM Prison and Probation Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Receptionist - Southampton (Full -Time)(South Central) (Ref: 10876)
✨Tip Number 1
First things first, make sure you know the ins and outs of the Probation Service. Brush up on their mission and values so you can show us you're genuinely interested in the role when you get that interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your situational awareness skills! Think about how you'd handle tricky situations, like a visitor getting a bit too rowdy. We want to see you can keep your cool and think on your feet.
✨Tip Number 3
When it comes to interviews, don’t just talk about your skills—give us examples! Share stories from past experiences where you’ve managed logistics or provided top-notch admin support. We love a good story!
✨Tip Number 4
Finally, apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen. Plus, we’re always looking for passionate individuals who want to make a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Receptionist - Southampton (Full -Time)(South Central) (Ref: 10876)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Receptionist role. Highlight your administrative skills and any experience in high-pressure environments, as these are key for us at StudySmarter.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter should tell us why you’re the perfect fit for this role. Mention your communication skills and how you can handle visitor enquiries effectively, as this is crucial for the position.
Showcase Your ICT Skills: Since proficiency in Microsoft Office is a must, don’t forget to mention your experience with these applications. We want to see how you can use technology to support our operations.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smoother application process. It’s the best way for us to receive your application and get to know you better!
How to prepare for a job interview at HM Prison and Probation Service
✨Know Your Role Inside Out
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a receptionist within the Probation Service. Familiarise yourself with the key tasks like managing visitor logs, handling enquiries, and maintaining security protocols. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As the first point of contact, excellent verbal and written communication is crucial. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've effectively communicated with visitors or handled difficult situations. This will demonstrate your ability to manage enquiries and diffuse potential conflicts.
✨Demonstrate Situational Awareness
Think about scenarios where you had to assess a situation quickly and act accordingly. Be ready to discuss how you would handle potentially violent situations or safeguarding concerns. This shows that you can think on your feet and prioritise safety in a high-pressure environment.
✨Highlight Your ICT Proficiency
Since the role requires strong ICT skills, be prepared to discuss your experience with Microsoft Office and any relevant software. You might even want to mention specific tasks you've completed using these tools, as this will illustrate your capability to manage administrative duties efficiently.