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- Tasks: Support the daily operations of a busy prison, ensuring security and assisting with various duties.
- Company: Join a dedicated team within the HMP Isle of Wight, making a difference every day.
- Benefits: Enjoy 25 days annual leave, a generous pension scheme, and retail discounts.
- Why this job: Gain valuable experience in a unique environment while contributing to community safety.
- Qualifications: No specific qualifications required; just a willingness to learn and work as part of a team.
- Other info: Flexible shifts including nights and weekends, with opportunities for career progression.
The predicted salary is between 24600 - 35200 £ 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.
Salary and benefits:
- 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.
- £29,432 salary figures quoted are for a 37 hour working week inclusive of 20% unsocial hours working allowance.
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.
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 Personal Identification Number (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.
Selection process:
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.
Job offers: 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.
Allowance details: In addition you will receive 20% unsocial working allowance. This has been included in the salary figures quoted.
14424 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Isle of Wight (Prison Support Role) in Newport employer: Ministry of Justice
Contact Detail:
Ministry of Justice Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land 14424 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Isle of Wight (Prison Support Role) in Newport
✨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 us that you’re not just interested in the job, but that you understand what it takes to keep a busy prison running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since the interview will assess how well you communicate and influence others, try role-playing with a friend or family member. This will help you feel more confident when discussing your experiences and how they relate to the role.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to share your personal experiences! The interview is a great chance for us to get to know you better. Think about times when you’ve managed a quality service or dealt with challenging situations, and be prepared to discuss them in detail.
✨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 selection process right there. Don’t miss out on this opportunity!
We think you need these skills to ace 14424 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Isle of Wight (Prison Support Role) in Newport
Some tips for your application 🫡
Be Yourself: When you're writing your application, let your personality shine through! We want to get to know the real you, so don’t be afraid to share your experiences and what makes you tick.
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to tailor your application to the Operational Support Grade role. Highlight any relevant experience or skills that match the job description, like teamwork or communication skills. It shows us you’re serious about the position!
Keep It Clear and Concise: We appreciate a well-structured application. Keep your sentences clear and to the point. Avoid jargon unless it’s relevant, and make sure to proofread for any typos or errors before hitting send!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us directly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role and our team 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 supervising visitors. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
The interview will assess your ability to communicate and manage quality service. Think of examples from your past experiences where you've demonstrated these skills. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers, making it easier for the interviewers to see how you handle real-life situations.
✨Show Your Team Spirit
Working in a prison requires strong teamwork. Be ready to discuss how you've collaborated with others in previous roles. Highlight any experiences where you supported colleagues or contributed to a team goal, as this will demonstrate your ability to work effectively in a close-knit environment.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
At the end of the interview, don’t forget to ask questions! Inquire about the shift patterns, training opportunities, or what a typical day looks like. This shows your enthusiasm for the position and helps you gauge if the role is the right fit for you.