21509 - Prison Officer Dedicated Search Team North Midlands. in Nottingham

Overview of the job

This is an operational job in an establishment. The job holder will supervise and support prisoners, ensuring all services are provided to a high standard and that security and control are maintained at all times, adhering to local and national policies. The specific duty of the jobholder is to undertake searches as required, in order to maintain the effective security and operational safety of the establishment. This is an operational job with no line management responsibilities.

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• In accordance with the Local Security Strategy (LSS) undertake searches on cells, prisoners, staff, visitors and communal open areas as required which includes:
• Cell fabric searches
• Searches for prohibited items in cells and on prisoners
• Searches of staff and visitors and prisoners
• Searches of communal area and grounds
• A and B level searches and full searches
• Targeted searches in response to intelligence received
• Train staff on search techniques and awareness of new methods of concealment.
• Responsible for the control of tools on behalf of the establishment and will also be required to undertake tool audits.
• Maintain knowledge of drugs use within the establishment and methods of concealment and update search practice accordingly.
• Collect / bag evidence and record appropriately. Be competent in the preservation of evidence as per the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) and have knowledge of arrest procedures.
• Conduct searches on other establishments and other government buildings such as courts and hospitals when required.
• Complete all related administration and paperwork in respect of the searches and items found.

In addition to the above, the job holder may be required to undertake duties on a Residential Unit:

• Supervise prisoner activities including exercise and association, maintaining the general cleanliness of the wing and making sure that meals are served in-line with establishment policy.
• Lock prisoners securely in their cells at each lock up period, keep account of the unit roll and make sure that prisoners are accounted for.
• Support vulnerable prisoners and pass any relevant concerns to wing managers/staff, Healthcare, Safer Custody department and personal officer.
• Share identified prisoner needs with reception staff.
• Unlock prisoners in a timely manner.
• Deal with any instances of self harm in-line with suicide and self harm prevention strategies.
• Support prisoners in-line with the Personal Officer strategy, completing reports on prisoners as requested, within time limits set, which contribute to sentence planning and prisoner progress.
• Encourage responsible and respectful behaviour in prisoners.
• Receive and progress applications and complaints.
• Maintain prisoner records by completing behaviour report entries and data entry onto the prisoner database.
• Carry out accommodation/fabric checks, including searching prisoners.
• Complete all administration in support of main duties including ordering cleaning materials and completing regime monitoring.

Undertake other Prison Officer tasks as follows:

• Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, lawfully, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities.
• Exercise the powers of a Constable.
• Conduct searches on prisoners, staff and visitors as required.
• Undertake external escorts when required.
• Undertake ‘first on scene’ incident response.
• Maintain and update systems in-line with local agreements.
• Prepare relevant documentation to managers for verification/quality checking purposes.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
• Complete and update Personal Emergency Evacuation Plan.
• Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff.
• Understand apply and comply to national/local policies and legislation.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is 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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Technical Requirements

Job holders must complete specific training in their specialism once they take up post. All candidates are required to pass an online application and numeracy assessment, attend and pass a variety of assessments at Recruitment Assessment centre, these include a written assessment, role plays, medical assessment and a fitness test. If successful in your application, your continuation in this role is dependent on passing all modules within the initial Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT), which is a pathway to becoming a fully competent Prison Officer. Failure to successfully complete and pass POELT course could result in your removal from this role and may result in the termination of your employment. Following completion of the POELT course you will be subject to a 12 month probationary period.

Ability

• Fitness Standard
• Medical Standard
• Numerical Ability

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours)

37 hour working week (standard). Additional Conditioned Hours (ACH) Band 3 Prison Officers have the option to commit to working between 1 -4 Additional Committed Hours (ACH) on top of the standard 37 hour week. These hours are non-pensionable and paid at an enhanced rate.

Unsocial Hours Working: This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a 17% payment will be paid 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

All applicants must hold a full manual driving license, as the role involves driving of HMP vehicles from a designated base. All applicants must be aware this is an operational role which requires flexibility and may require working away from their home area to support other establishments with their security requirements. This can involve last minute changes to scheduled shifts.

To meet business requirements this advert is for a female only.

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.

Working for the Civil Service

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.

Diversity & Inclusion - The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans - The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria.

Redeployment Interview Scheme - Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant.

Civil Service Nationality Rules - This job is broadly open to UK nationals, nationals of the Republic of Ireland, nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK, and others as specified.

Reserve list - A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.