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- Tasks: Support the daily operations of a busy prison, ensuring safety and security.
- Company: Join a dedicated team in a vital public service role.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, pension scheme, and retail discounts.
- Why this job: Make a difference in a challenging environment while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a commitment to safety.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a paid apprenticeship available.
The predicted salary is between 19000 - 26000 £ per year.
As an Operational Support Grade, you will look after the day-to-day running of a busy prison, working in a close-knit team to carry out a range of support services – everything from patrol and gate duties, to managing deliveries, supervising visitors, and monitoring phone calls and CCTV. You will work shifts and nights to keep things running.
Hours and pay
Hours: You will work an average of 37 hours per week and this will include working night shifts, evenings, weekends and Bank/Public holidays (these days are added to your holiday allowance) on a rolling shift pattern. The frequency of night shifts will vary for each Establishment and can be discussed at interview.
Salary/Benefits: In addition to your base pay, you will receive:
- Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after 10 years’ service (calculated on a pro-rata basis)
- 9 days bank, public and privilege holidays
- Access to a paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service
- Access to the generous Civil Service pension scheme
- Season ticket loans, retail discounts, an Employee Assistance Programme and a Cycle to Work scheme
- National salary: £23,545 (salary figures quoted are for a 37-hour working week, unsocial hours working is not required)
Responsibilities, activities and duties
- Gate/portal duties: ensure the secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; carry out searches of staff, prisoners, visitors, contractors and vehicles; issue and collect staff keys/radios
- Control room: operate the establishment radio system and monitor CCTV ensuring all suspicious activities are reported
- Visits: book visits; identify and process visitors on their arrival, escort them if required
- Censors/correspondence: monitor/log mail and report any illicit or contraband items, maintaining the preservation of evidence
- Night duties: ensure cell doors are locked/secure and all prisoners are safely accounted for
- Reception: assist in supporting appropriate tasks in reception; photograph prisoners; collate documentation for the property process; search/x-ray incoming prisoner property and parcels; receive items for prisoners and check all seals are intact on property storage
- Prisoner supervision: supervise prisoners as required; undertake prisoner clothing/property exchange and assist officers with free flow movement
- Food delivery: food trolley delivery and collection, which may involve the use of an electric tug vehicle
- Driving duties: transport prisoners and their escort to their destination in the cellular vehicle; collect mail from local sorting office
- Phone calls: monitor the PIN system, maintaining the log of PIN Phone requests from prisoners; complete all relevant paperwork keeping an audit trail of conversations; check that legal numbers are registered solicitors
- Procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, responding appropriately to invoke emergency procedures and the actions required in relation to incidents
Interview process and assessment
At the interview we will assess you against the following Success Profile behaviours:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience. The interview is the ideal opportunity to tell us more about yourself, your work history or personal experiences, so we can get to know you better and assess how you will be suited to prison work.
The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.
Other information
For more information please visit our website: www.prisonsupportroles.co.uk
Job offers: ‘merit’ vacancy. This is a ‘merit’ job vacancy. If you are successful at the interview you will be added to a merit list based on your score. When all applicants have completed the assessment, the prison will make job offers to those with the highest scores first when positions become available. You can stay on the merit list for 12 months. After this, you’ll need to apply again.
14618 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Birmgham Fixed Term Contract 12 Months (Prison Support Role) employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 14618 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Birmgham Fixed Term Contract 12 Months (Prison Support Role)
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities of an Operational Support Grade. This way, when you get to the interview, you can show off your knowledge and enthusiasm for the job.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since the role involves a lot of interaction with staff and visitors, being able to communicate clearly and confidently is key. Try role-playing common scenarios with a friend to boost your confidence.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your experiences! Think about times when you've managed a quality service or influenced others positively. These examples will help you shine during the interview and show how you fit the Success Profile behaviours.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and the application process right there.
We think you need these skills to ace 14618 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Birmgham Fixed Term Contract 12 Months (Prison Support Role)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the role of Operational Support Grade. We want to see how you can contribute to the day-to-day running of the prison, so don’t hold back!
Showcase Relevant Experience: If you've got any experience in security, customer service, or working in a team, make it shine! We love to see how your past roles have prepared you for this position, especially in a busy environment like a prison.
Be Clear and Concise: When filling out your application, keep it straightforward. Use clear language and get straight to the point. We appreciate applications that are easy to read and understand, so avoid jargon where possible.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Operational Support Grade. Familiarise yourself with tasks like gate duties, monitoring CCTV, and managing deliveries. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves a lot of interaction with staff, visitors, and prisoners, be prepared to demonstrate your communication skills. Think of examples from your past experiences where you effectively communicated or influenced others, as this is one of the key behaviours they’ll assess during the interview.
✨Prepare for Shift Work Questions
Given that the job requires working shifts, including nights and weekends, be ready to discuss your availability and how you manage work-life balance. It’s a good idea to have a plan in mind for how you’ll handle the demands of shift work, which shows your commitment and readiness for the role.
✨Practice Situational Responses
Expect situational questions that assess how you would handle specific scenarios in a prison environment. Think about past experiences where you managed a crisis or maintained safety. Practising these responses will help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
