At a Glance
- Tasks: Engage in diverse roles daily, ensuring safety and support within the prison environment.
- Company: Join HMP Whatton, a key player in the UK's justice system.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension, and flexible working hours.
- Other info: Opportunities for career progression and a supportive work culture.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, meet health standards, and have lived in the UK for 3 years.
The predicted salary is between 35875 - 38003 £ per year.
Prison officer – HMP Whatton
HMP Whatton, New Ln, Whatton, Nottingham NG13 9FQ Starting salary: £35,875 (for a 39 hour week inc 20% unsocial) City/Town: Nottingham Region: Midlands Vacancy type: Merit
An extraordinary job
In this unique career, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day.
Assessment Criteria
- communicating and influencing
- managing a quality service
- making effective decisions
- caring
Qualifications
- be at least 18 years old at the commencement of employment
- meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements
- pass a medical and fitness assessment
- meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes
- for safety reasons, meet a suitable standard of hearing
- tattoos permitted but must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious, or medical reasons
- for safety reasons, everyone training to be a prison officer needs a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
- to work in a high security prison (category A) you must have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years
How to apply
Once you have completed your initial application form you will be invited to complete stage 1 of the online test to assess basic judgement and numerical skills. If you pass, you will be invited to stage 2, a task‑based assessment. If you pass the online tests, you will be invited to an online assessment centre (OAC). Once you have successfully completed the OAC and you are allocated to a vacancy, you will be invited to complete a medical and fitness test, covering an eyesight test, hearing test and basic health screening, including a blood pressure check.
Pay
The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.
- 37 hours a week = £33,746 a year
- 39 hours a week = £35,875 a year
- 41 hours a week = £38,003 a year
All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances. The standard working week of a prison officer is based on a 39 hours per week shift pattern.
Benefits
- 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
- paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day
- Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
- cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits
Job offers: merit vacancy
This is a merit job vacancy. If you are successful at the online assessment centre, you will be added to a merit list based on your score. When all applicants have completed the assessment centre, the prison will make job offers to individuals 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.
Operational Support Grade Role
Our Online Assessment Centre (OAC) will not only assess you against the key criteria to become a prison officer but will also determine your suitability for appointment as an operational support grade OSG. If following attendance at your OAC you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer, we may instead offer you an alternative role as an OSG. Operational support grade – Ministry of Justice.
Recruitment Principles
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of Civil Servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission\'s recruitment principles. If you feel the recruitment process has breached the principles you can raise a complaint by contacting Shared Services Connected Ltd: call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email Moj‑recruitment‑vetting‑enquiries@gov.sscl.com.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Reasonable adjustment support
Just tick ‘yes’ when it asks if you think you might need a reasonable adjustment.
202510: Prison Officer - HMP Whatton in Nottingham employer: Ministry of Justice
At HMP Whatton, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that values diversity and inclusion while offering a supportive work culture. With competitive salaries, generous holiday allowances, and a robust Civil Service pension scheme, we provide our staff with meaningful career opportunities and the chance to make a real difference in the lives of others. Join us in Nottingham, where your role as a Prison Officer will not only challenge you but also empower you to grow professionally within a dedicated team.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 202510: Prison Officer - HMP Whatton in Nottingham
✨Dive into Local Government Events
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Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
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We think you need these skills to ace 202510: Prison Officer - HMP Whatton in Nottingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Ministry of Justice and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Ministry of Justice, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
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Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Ministry of Justice.
