21979 - CM: Dog Section - Dogs & DST Southern - LKSS region in London

General Information

• Salary: The national salary range is £37,417 - £39,214, London salary range is £40,693 - £44,432. Your salary will be dependent on your base location.
• Working Pattern: Full Time, Part Time, Part Time/Job Share, Flexible Working.
• Location: Feltham, London, Maidstone, Rochester, Sheerness, Sutton, Woking.
• Region: Kent, Surrey & Sussex, London.
• Closing Date: 24-Sep-2026.
• Business Unit: DDC South Central.
• Post Type: Permanent.
• Civil Service Grade: HEO.
• Number of jobs available: 1.
• Reserve List: 12 Months.
• Job ID: 21979.

Job Description

This is a management job in an establishment. The job holder will provide day-to-day management of the Dog Section within the establishment. They will support the delivery of the Local Security Strategy (LSS), in line with the national security framework. The job holder will need to have specialist Dog Handler training to carry out the duties of this job. The job holder will be required to undertake incident management response (Silver/Bronze) and undertake Orderly Officer duties via the establishment's rota. In addition to this, the job holder may be required, on a rotational basis, to be responsible for the establishment during the night period. This requirement will be based upon local risk assessment and establishment complexity. This is an operational job with line management responsibilities and is rotational.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• Undertake Orderly Officer duties when scheduled to do so, ensuring that the establishment's regime is delivered effectively and that any operational decisions or incidents are managed in line with contingency plans, seeking advice from the Duty Governor/Manager when required.
• Responsible for the management of all staff within their hierarchy, including staff performance, development and annual appraisal through to sickness absence management and managerial enquiries.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery of the Dog Section, ensuring duties are adhered to whilst maintaining order and control in line with local/national policies and contingency plans.
• Ensure contact with dog handlers is maintained, making them aware of new initiatives, constantly carrying out covert testing to keep them fresh and alert.
• Monitor and ensure the repair, care and hygiene of Dog Section accommodation and kennels.
• Liaise with external providers regarding contract kennels and kennelling for dogs.
• Assist the Head of Function in developing and delivering processes to protect the security of the establishment.
• Ensure that all staff supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, lawfully, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities.
• Work collaboratively with other managers.
• Promote Prison Service policy in all activities and behaviours by promoting diversity, decency, safety and reducing reoffending agendas.
• Ensure procedures are in place to monitor the personal officer scheme, ensuring prisoners’ needs are met.
• Responsible for incident management documentation and logging onto the Incident Reporting System (IRS).
• Ensure actions arising from Standard Audit, His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Prisons (HMIP) Action Plans, Managing Quality of Prison Life (MQPL) surveys including Local Self Audit Action Plans and Resettlement strategies are delivered.
• Plan staff rotas/self-rostering and work activity to plan and manage delivery of the regime.
• Review open Assessment Care in Custody Teamwork (ACCT) paperwork.
• Investigate and manage prisoners’ complaints within the group.
• Ensure all HMPPS standards and Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs) are implemented and managed within the relevant work area.
• Ensure all national and local policies/procedures are implemented and compliant with National Security Framework (NSF) and Local Security Strategy (LSS).
• Attend relevant boards/meetings, as directed by line manager.
• Provide management and direction to staff within their area of responsibility through briefings, building informal and formal relationships and effective communication.
• Produce relevant reports as required and ensure the response to all correspondence is within agreed timescales.
• Manage resources to deliver the activities within the area of responsibility and contribute to the short-to-medium term business planning process.
• Manage a safe working environment for staff, prisoners and visitors, ensuring Health and Safety legislation is followed.
• Contribute to prisoner reports including sentence planning and parole reports when required.
• Carry out investigations as directed by commissioning authority.
• Knowledge and awareness of Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA) legislation.
• Undertake all duties around Managing Challenging Behaviour.
• Discharging prisoners.
• Carry out management checks as required, including those for Cell Sharing Risk Assessment (CSRA) and Incentives and Earned Privileges (IEP).

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and are not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English.

Behaviours

• Making Effective Decisions
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Managing a Quality Service

Essential Experience

• Must have thorough knowledge of all security, safety, custodial procedures and Service Delivery Indicators (SDIs) relating to area of work.
• Able to deal effectively and assertively with staff at all levels.
• Information collation and analysis.

Technical Requirements

• Use of Force training.
• Must be a fully trained prison officer.
• Successfully completed either the SO or CM assessment.
• Successful completion of the workbook.
• Able user of MS Word and MS Excel.

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances

37 hour working week (standard). HMPPS Staff on closed pay structures only: Additional Conditioned Hours Pensionable (ACHP) Staff moving from a closed 39 hour pay structure will be eligible for the two protected pensionable additional committed hours (ACHP). They will work a 39 hour week consisting of the standard 37 hour week and a further 2 additional hours (ACHP) paid at plain time pensionable rate. Unsocial Hours Working: This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment at the current approved organisation rate will be made in addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public Holidays.

Additional Information

You must have successfully completed your CM assessment and be fully accredited. Please take a moment to read the job description and confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria before applying. The role also includes CM oversight of DST and incorporates line management responsibilities for both Dog Handlers & DST staff. The role is based within the LKSS region. Your T&S base will be the establishment closest to your home address. You must reside within a 75-minute travel distance of the nearest establishment within the LKSS area. The role advertised is for LKSS region; however, you may be required to travel to other areas within the Southern region. The role may require regular nights away from home. You must hold a full manual driving licence.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and/or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

Benefits

• Annual Leave: The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non-standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment.
• Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays: You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance.
• Pension: The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.
• Work Life Balance: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements.
• Season Ticket Advance: After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work.
• Childcare Vouchers: For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.
• Training: HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post. All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.

Contact Information

John.white@justice.gov.uk or Samantha.j.evans@justice.gov.uk

MoJ: If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk. Please quote the job reference 21979.