At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide excellent customer service and administrative support in recovering criminal fines.
- Company: Join HM Courts and Tribunal Service, a key player in delivering justice.
- Benefits: Flexible working patterns, competitive salary, and opportunities for career growth.
- Other info: Office-based role with potential for hybrid working arrangements.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in the justice system while developing your skills.
- Qualifications: Strong customer service skills and experience in an administrative role.
The predicted salary is between 24000 - 28000 € per year.
About us
Our HMCTS Operational Support Officers within Criminal Fines Collection and Enforcement (Enforcement) provide excellent customer service, administrative support and decision‑making to recover criminal fines and financial penalties imposed by the Courts. Enforcement is a key function within HM Courts and Tribunal Service (HMCTS) and plays a central role in delivering justice by working alongside the criminal courts in England and Wales to ensure convicted parties comply with fines and other financial penalties imposed by the courts. We are also responsible for compliance of Confiscation Orders imposed by the Crown Courts and the payment of Fixed Penalty tickets issued by police forces.
Your role
HMCTS uses a variety of means to ensure the recovery of criminal fines and financial penalties and does everything within our powers to trace those who do not pay. You will be responsible for creating and updating records on our in‑house computer system and will contact relevant parties to give advice on the completion of forms or court procedures, providing excellent customer service. You will make decisions on the most effective method of enforcement within the current guidelines and will use telephone and text message chasing and tracing tools. You will have the confidence to engage with Managers, Courts and other internal and external stakeholders to collect information, check facts, communicate or enforce judicial decisions.
Your skills and experience
- Strong customer service skills with the confidence to support our customers via the telephone, webchat and email
- Experience of working in an administrative role in a customer‑focused environment
- Proficient with IT and Microsoft Software packages
- Excellent communication and organisational skills
- Exceptional attention to detail
Further details
These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be office based to provide HMCTS services to the public. Non‑contractual hybrid working may be available, but arrangements will be determined by the business and will only be available when it has been established that delivering the service from home can be done effectively. We cannot facilitate requests for a particular work from home/working in the office schedule. Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). HMCTS welcomes part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment. All applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ’s Flexible Working policy. The Runcorn office offers a service between 09:00 - 17:00 Monday to Friday and you will be required to work between these times on a scheduled basis. Occasional travel to other courts may be required, as the post holder may need to work on an ad hoc basis at other local HMCTS offices.
Skilled Worker Visa
This role is not eligible for new Skilled Worker visas in accordance with the current immigration rules. From 22 July 2025, the Government introduced changes to the Skilled Worker visa route. The department cannot consider sponsoring you for this role unless you have held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes. If you have held a Skilled Worker visa continuously, please raise this during your vetting checks and eligibility will be assessed in accordance with the immigration rules and transitional provisions in place. If you are applying for this role and you have not held a Skilled Worker visa prior to the 22 July 2025 changes, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. The Department will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service.
17717 - Operational Support Officer - Runcorn employer: Ministry of Justice
HMCTS is an excellent employer that values its Operational Support Officers by providing a supportive work environment focused on delivering justice and excellent customer service. With opportunities for flexible working patterns and a commitment to employee growth, staff can thrive in their roles while contributing to the vital function of the criminal courts. The Runcorn office fosters a collaborative culture, ensuring that employees feel valued and empowered in their mission to uphold compliance and support the community.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 17717 - Operational Support Officer - Runcorn
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the company! Research HMCTS and understand their mission in criminal fines collection. This will help you tailor your conversations and show that you're genuinely interested in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your customer service skills! Since this role is all about providing excellent support, think of scenarios where you might need to handle difficult situations or questions from customers. Role-play with a friend if you can!
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready to showcase your IT skills! Familiarise yourself with Microsoft software and any other tools mentioned in the job description. You might get asked about your experience during interviews, so be prepared to discuss it.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re proactive and serious about joining the HMCTS team.
We think you need these skills to ace 17717 - Operational Support Officer - Runcorn
Some tips for your application 🫡
Know the Role:Before you start your application, take a good look at the job description. Understand what an Operational Support Officer does and how your skills fit in. This will help you tailor your application to show us why you're the perfect fit!
Show Off Your Skills:Make sure to highlight your customer service experience and any admin roles you've had. We want to see how your skills align with what we need, so don’t hold back on showcasing your IT proficiency and communication abilities!
Be Detail-Oriented:Attention to detail is key in this role. When filling out your application, double-check for any typos or errors. A polished application shows us that you care about quality and accuracy, which is super important in our line of work.
Apply Through Our Website:We encourage you to apply directly through our website. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us quickly and efficiently. Plus, it gives you a chance to explore more about HMCTS and what we stand for!
How to prepare for a job interview at Ministry of Justice
✨Know Your Role
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of an Operational Support Officer. Familiarise yourself with the key functions of HMCTS, especially around customer service and administrative support. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and enthusiasm for the role.
✨Showcase Your Customer Service Skills
Since this role heavily relies on excellent customer service, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've successfully handled customer queries or resolved issues. Be ready to discuss how you would approach difficult situations while maintaining professionalism and empathy.
✨Brush Up on IT Proficiency
As the job requires proficiency in IT and Microsoft software, ensure you're comfortable discussing your experience with these tools. You might even want to mention specific software you've used in previous roles and how it helped you stay organised and efficient.
✨Prepare for Scenario Questions
Expect scenario-based questions that assess your decision-making skills and ability to enforce guidelines. Think about how you would handle various situations related to fines collection and compliance. Practising these scenarios can help you articulate your thought process clearly during the interview.
