At a Glance
- 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, pension scheme, and retail discounts.
- Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for career advancement.
- Why this job: Make a difference in a challenging environment while gaining valuable experience.
- Qualifications: Strong communication skills and a commitment to quality service.
The predicted salary is between 23400 - 35000 € 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 is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after 10 years’ service (pro-rata)
- 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
Salary: £29,432
The salary figures quoted are for a 37 hour working week inclusive of 20% unsocial hours working allowance which is included in the salary to reflect the requirement to work nights, evening and weekend shifts.
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
- Gate/portal duties: ensure the secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; carry out searches; 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 arrival, escort them if required
- Censors/correspondence: monitor/log mail and report any illicit or contraband items, maintaining evidence preservation
- 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; search/x-ray incoming prisoner property and parcels; receive items for prisoners 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 use of an electric tug vehicle
- Driving duties: transport prisoners and their escort to destination in the cellular vehicle; collect mail from local sorting office
- Phone calls: monitor PIN system, maintain log of PIN Phone requests; complete all relevant paperwork keeping audit trail; check legal numbers registered solicitors
- Procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, respond to invoke emergency procedures and actions required in relation to incidents
Interview Process
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.
Success Profile Behaviours
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.
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.
9412 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Winchester (Prison Support Role) employer: Ministry of Justice
As an Operational Support Grade at HMP Winchester, you will join a dedicated team committed to maintaining safety and security within the prison environment. The role offers excellent benefits including generous annual leave, access to a Civil Service pension scheme, and opportunities for professional development through paid apprenticeships. With a supportive work culture that values teamwork and employee well-being, HMP Winchester is an outstanding employer for those seeking a meaningful career in public service.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land 9412 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Winchester (Prison Support Role)
✨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 you really understand what it takes to keep a busy prison running smoothly.
✨Tip Number 2
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves a lot of interaction with staff, visitors, and prisoners, we recommend you prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in past roles. This will help you shine during the interview.
✨Tip Number 3
Be ready for scenario-based questions! Think about how you would handle various situations that might arise in a prison environment. We want to see your problem-solving skills and how you manage stress, so come prepared with some solid examples.
✨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 the benefits that come with it. Let’s get you on that merit list!
We think you need these skills to ace 9412 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Winchester (Prison Support Role)
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 Enthusiasm:Let your passion for the role shine through in your application. We love candidates who are excited about the opportunity to work in a challenging environment like a prison. Share what motivates you and why you want to be part of our close-knit team!
Apply Through Our Website:Don’t forget to submit your application through our official website! It’s the best way to ensure we receive your details directly and can process your application smoothly. Plus, you’ll find all the info you need about the role there too!
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.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the job requires strong communication abilities, prepare examples from your past experiences where you've effectively communicated or influenced others. Think about situations where you had to manage a service or resolve conflicts, as these will resonate well with the interviewers.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
Working in a close-knit team is crucial for this role. Be ready to discuss your experiences working collaboratively with others. Highlight specific instances where you contributed to a team's success or supported colleagues during challenging times, as this will illustrate your ability to fit into their environment.
✨Prepare for Behavioural Questions
The interview will include behavioural questions, so practice answering them using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result). Think of relevant scenarios from your work history that showcase your problem-solving skills and ability to manage quality service, as these are key traits they’re looking for.
