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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, a generous pension, and retail discounts.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career development.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in a challenging yet rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a commitment to quality service.
The predicted salary is between 29432 - 29432 £ 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.
Benefits
- Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service (calculated pro-rata)
- 9 days bank, public and privilege holidays
- Paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service
- Generous Civil Service pension scheme
- Season ticket loans, retail discounts, Employee Assistance Programme and Cycle to Work scheme
- 20% unsocial working allowance included in salary
Salary: £29,432 for a 37‑hour working week inclusive of 20% unsocial hours working allowance to reflect the requirement to work nights, evenings and weekend shifts.
Hours: You will work an average of 37 hours per week, which will include night shifts, evenings, weekends and Bank/Public holidays. These days are added to your holiday allowance. You will work on a rolling shift pattern. Frequency of night shifts will vary by establishment and can be discussed at interview.
Responsibilities, activities and duties are likely to include:
- Gate/portal duties: ensure secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; conduct searches of staff, prisoners, visitors, contractors and vehicles; issue and collect staff keys/radios.
- Control room: operate radio system and monitor CCTV, reporting suspicious activities.
- Visits: book visits; identify and process visitors on arrival, escort them if required.
- Censors/correspondence: monitor/log mail and report illicit or contraband items, preserving evidence.
- Night duties: ensure cell doors are locked/secure and all prisoners are safely accounted for.
- Reception: support reception tasks; photograph prisoners; collate documentation for property process; search/x‑ray incoming prisoner property and parcels; receive items and check seals intact.
- 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, may involve electric tug vehicle.
- Driving duties: transport prisoners and escorts to destination; collect mail from local sorting office.
- Phone calls: monitor PIN system, maintain log of PIN phone requests, complete paperwork, audit conversations, ensure legal numbers registered solicitors.
- Procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, respond to emergencies and incidents appropriately.
Success Profile
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience. It is the ideal opportunity to discuss your work history or personal experiences so we can assess how you will be suited to prison work. Job holders must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.
For more information please visit our website.
17066 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Aylesbury (Prison Support Role) in Devon employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 17066 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Aylesbury (Prison Support Role) in Devon
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the role inside out! Familiarise yourself with the day-to-day tasks of an Operational Support Grade. This way, when you get to the interview, you can show us that you’re not just interested in the job, but you really understand what it entails.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves a lot of interaction with staff and visitors, we recommend doing some mock interviews with friends or family. This will help you feel more confident when discussing your experiences and how they relate to the job.
✨Tip Number 3
Show us your teamwork spirit! The role is all about working closely with others, so think of examples from your past where you’ve successfully collaborated with a team. Be ready to share these stories during your interview.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and benefits right there!
We think you need these skills to ace 17066 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Aylesbury (Prison Support Role) in Devon
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 on showcasing relevant experiences!
Be Clear and Concise: When writing your application, keep it straightforward and to the point. We appreciate clarity, so avoid jargon and make sure your key points stand out. This will help us quickly understand why you’re a great fit for the team.
Show Your Team Spirit: Since this role involves working in a close-knit team, let us know about your teamwork skills! Share examples of how you've collaborated with others in past roles or experiences, as this will show us you’re ready to jump into our supportive environment.
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive all your details correctly and gives you access to any additional resources we have to help you along the way.
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 supervising visitors. This will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
Expect questions that assess your ability to communicate and manage quality service. Think of specific examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated these skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
This role involves working closely with a team, so be ready to discuss how you collaborate with others. Share examples of how you've contributed to a team environment in previous jobs or situations, highlighting your ability to support colleagues and work towards common goals.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the shift patterns, training opportunities, or how success is measured in the role. This shows your enthusiasm and helps you gauge if the job is the right fit for you.