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- Tasks: Engage in diverse roles daily, ensuring safety and support within a high-security environment.
- Company: Join the Ministry of Justice at HMP Guy's Marsh, a vital part of the UK justice system.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, a generous pension scheme, and various employee perks.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in people's lives while developing valuable skills.
- Qualifications: Must be 18+, pass health assessments, and meet nationality requirements.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with opportunities for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 33500 - 38500 £ per year.
HMP Guys Marsh, Guy's Marsh, Shaftesbury SP7 0AH.
Starting salary: £35,875 (for a 39 hour week inc 20% unsocial).
This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules.
An extraordinary job
In this unique career, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day.
Recruitment assessment
During the recruitment process you will be assessed on:
- communicating and influencing
- managing a quality service
- making effective decisions
- caring
Requirements to become a prison officer
- 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
- meet a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
- tattoos are permitted, including visible ones, if they are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious or medical reasons
- 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
- complete the initial application form
- you will be invited to complete an online test to assess your judgement and numerical skills
- if you pass the online test, you will be invited to an online assessment centre (OAC)
- once you’ve successfully completed the OAC and you are allocated to a vacancy, you will be invited to complete a medical and fitness test, which will cover 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.
Civil Service Code and 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.
202601: Prison Officer - HMP Guys Marsh employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 202601: Prison Officer - HMP Guys Marsh
✨Tip Number 1
Get familiar with the role of a prison officer. Research what it’s like day-to-day at HMP Guys Marsh. This will help you answer questions confidently during the online assessment centre.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your judgement and numerical skills before the online test. There are plenty of resources out there, so don’t hesitate to brush up on these areas to boost your chances of passing.
✨Tip Number 3
During the online assessment centre, be yourself! Show your communication skills and how you can influence others positively. They want to see your personality shine through.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website for the best chance at landing the job. Keep an eye on the merit list and stay proactive; if you don’t get in this time, you can always reapply after 12 months!
We think you need these skills to ace 202601: Prison Officer - HMP Guys Marsh
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When filling out your application, let your personality shine through! We want to see the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you unique.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the role of a prison officer. Highlight any relevant skills or experiences that show you can communicate effectively, manage quality service, and make sound decisions.
Check Your Details: Before hitting submit, double-check all your details. Typos or missing information can slow down your application process, and we want to make sure you’re in the best position possible!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the easiest way to ensure your application gets to us directly and helps us keep track of everything smoothly.
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand what being a prison officer entails. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities, challenges, and daily tasks involved in the role at HMP Guys Marsh. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested.
✨Demonstrate Your Communication Skills
As a prison officer, effective communication is key. Prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully communicated or influenced others. Think about situations where you managed conflicts or made decisions under pressure, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Showcase Your Decision-Making Abilities
During the interview, be ready to discuss how you approach decision-making. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers. Highlight instances where you had to make quick, effective decisions, especially in challenging environments.
✨Prepare for the Online Assessment Centre
The online assessment centre is a crucial part of the recruitment process. Brush up on your judgement and numerical skills beforehand. Practising sample tests can help you feel more comfortable and improve your chances of passing this stage, so don’t skip this step!
