Find a job 
Featured Companies 
Featured Universities 
For Companies At a Glance
- Tasks: Make a real difference in the community while maintaining custody and order.
- Company: Join the Scottish Prison Service and help transform lives.
- Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop skills, and contribute to a safer Scotland.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of a rewarding role that empowers individuals to change their lives.
- Qualifications: Compassionate individuals with strong communication and problem-solving skills.
- Other info: Dynamic shifts and diverse interactions await you in this impactful position.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 42000 £ per year.
Applicants please note: The Scottish Prison Service is not a licenced Sponsor and Visa Sponsorship is not available for this role. For the role you have applied for you must have the right to work in the UK. The Immigration Act requires employers to check documents to establish a person's eligibility to work in the UK and comply with any restrictions before they start work. Therefore, all candidates who are successful in the selection process for this role, when requested, will be required to provide documentation.
As an Operations Officer, you will be in a unique position of being able to make a real difference to the community that you live in and be at the very heart of delivering the SPS' vision of 'Helping to build a safer Scotland by Unlocking Potential and Transforming Lives'. Your role will be challenging and immensely rewarding with responsibility for maintaining custody and order whilst facilitating opportunities for those in our care. You will influence and encourage offenders to maintain contact with their families, access education and training and ultimately assist them on their journey to be contributory citizens within our communities.
Contributing towards the prevention and management of challenging behaviour, you will provide safe and secure custodial services that empower offenders to take responsibility and transform their lives. In this role you will be responsible for the overall functioning and security of the establishment, working as part of a team and carrying out roles in Front of House, Visits, Electronic Control Room, Patrol and Prisoner Reception. Please note: as part of the Operations Officer role, you will be expected to work shifts in line with a set roster. These shifts will cover a variety of working patterns including early shift, day shift, back shift and night shift.
Responsibilities
- You will be the first point of contact for meeting and greeting visitors to the establishment and will interact with people from a wide range of backgrounds, including offenders' family and friends, lawyers, solicitors, pastors, ministers and SPS staff.
- You will follow procedures and demonstrate effective communication and interpersonal skills; showing compassion, empathy, building rapport and offering advice where necessary.
- You will have responsibility for maintaining security, by screening, searching and facilitating entry and exit of individuals from the establishment. In doing so you will confidently and constructively challenge individuals appropriately when required.
- Family contact is important for offenders to maintain relationships with their family and friends. The SPS encourages visits to maintain family contact and support the development of these important relationships. You will be responsible for observing and supervising visits as well as being a key point of contact for family support.
- You will be responsible for safety and security within the visit room and demonstrate effective problem solving skills when addressing emerging situations. In doing so you will demonstrate respect for individuals' needs and human rights.
- The Electronic Control Room (ECR) manages the movement and security of staff and prisoners throughout the prison establishment. You will be responsible for monitoring security systems, including closed circuit television, alarm and communication systems to maintain the safety and security of everyone within the establishment; demonstrating strong team working and effective communication skills.
- You will be responsible for ensuring the safety of staff, offenders and the public by checking physical barriers in and around the establishment. You will be required to apply your effective problem solving skills to identify and respond to any potential breaches of security and order.
- You will demonstrate good housekeeping and adhere to procedural requirements applying high ethical, moral and professional standards.
- Within the Reception area you will be responsible for managing the entry and release of offenders from prison, assessing the needs of individual offenders and ensuring the correct procedures are followed.
- You will be faced with a diverse range of situations and you will be required to demonstrate care, compassion, dignity and respect in determining the most appropriate course of action.
- You will be responsible for the safe and secure escorting of offenders throughout the establishment and externally as directed by management.
Operations Officer in Alloa employer: Scottish Prison Service
Contact Detail:
Scottish Prison Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Officer in Alloa
✨Tip Number 1
Get to know the organisation! Research the Scottish Prison Service and understand their mission of 'Helping to build a safer Scotland'. This will not only help you in interviews but also show your genuine interest in the role.
✨Tip Number 2
Network like a pro! Connect with current or former employees on LinkedIn. They can provide insider tips and might even give you a heads-up about upcoming opportunities.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare for situational questions! Think about how you would handle challenging behaviours or emergencies. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re serious about joining the team and making a difference in the community.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Officer in Alloa
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Operations Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission of 'Helping to build a safer Scotland'.
Showcase Your Communication Skills: Since you'll be interacting with a diverse range of people, it's crucial to demonstrate your effective communication abilities in your written application. Use clear and concise language to show us you can connect with others.
Highlight Problem-Solving Abilities: The role involves addressing challenging situations, so make sure to include examples of how you've successfully navigated problems in the past. We love seeing candidates who can think on their feet!
Apply Through Our Website: Don't forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your details and ensures you’re considered for the role. We can't wait to hear from you!
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Prison Service
✨Know the Role Inside Out
Before your interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the Operations Officer role. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities mentioned in the job description, such as maintaining security and facilitating family contact. This will help you demonstrate your knowledge and show that you're genuinely interested in making a difference.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As an Operations Officer, effective communication is key. Prepare examples of how you've successfully interacted with diverse groups in the past. Think about times when you’ve shown empathy or resolved conflicts, as these experiences will highlight your ability to connect with offenders and their families.
✨Demonstrate Problem-Solving Abilities
Be ready to discuss specific situations where you've had to think on your feet and solve problems. The role requires quick thinking and the ability to handle challenging behaviour, so share examples that showcase your critical thinking skills and how you approach unexpected situations.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Ethics
The Operations Officer position involves working closely with a team. Highlight your experience in collaborative environments and your commitment to high ethical standards. Discuss how you’ve contributed to a positive team dynamic and maintained professionalism in difficult circumstances.
