At a Glance
- Tasks: As an Operations Officer, you'll maintain custody, support offenders, and ensure safety in various roles.
- Company: Join the Scottish Prison Service, dedicated to building a safer Scotland and transforming lives.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £29,634, progressing to £33,569; shift work with opportunities for training and development.
- Other info: Shift work includes early, day, back, and night shifts; must have the right to work in the UK.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in the community while working in a supportive and dynamic environment.
- Qualifications: Basic numeracy and literacy skills; teamwork and problem-solving experience required.
The predicted salary is between 29634 - 33569 £ per year.
Overview
CCU - Bella (Dundee), CCU - Lilias (Glasgow), HMP & YOI Stirling, HMP Barlinnie, HMP Castle Huntly, HMP Edinburgh, HMP Glenochil, HMP Greenock, HMP Kilmarnock, HMP Low Moss, HMP Perth, HMP Shotts, HMYOI Polmont
Pay band C
Starting salary of £29,634 progressing to £33,569 within 3 years, subject to pay progression
27/01/2026, 10:00
Hours of work: Shift Work
Job Purpose
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 and Civil Service.
The Immigration Act 2014 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 evidence of their right to work.
As an Operations Officer, you will be in an almost 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 i.e. hospital, inter-prison transfer, court procedures as required. Managing the movement of offenders between residential accommodation and other areas of the establishment, such as education, health centre, visit room and offender work areas. You will also be responsible for escorting external contractors and visitors, ensuring the safety and security of individuals, buildings and equipment. You will remain vigilant and confidently deal with emerging issues, in line with SPS policies and procedures.
Person Specification
SPS recruitment and selection practice is based on the fundamentals of our Behavioural Competency Framework. This identifies behaviours and standards required both of applicants seeking to join us, and our staff in their respective roles. Assessment of specific behaviours, of which there are twelve, will be determined by the role you are applying for. Whilst it is unlikely you will be assessed on all of them , you will be assessed on these identified as key to role.
Qualifications Requirements
Commitment to undertake formal training and qualifications to support your learning and development
Experience Requirements
- Working with others
- Work experience which demonstrates your ability to work effectively within teams, interact with people and build successful working relationships
- Influencing the behaviour of others
- Evidence of your ability to confidently and positively influence or challenge the behaviour of others.
- Problem solving
- Experience of solving problems, demonstrating your ability to proactively identify the issue, explore options and take the necessary action to resolve the issue.
Knowledge Skills Requirements
- Basic level of numeracy and literacy skills in order to comprehend and clearly articulate information.
- Following processes & procedures
- Evidence of an ability to follow processes, procedures and instructions to ensure accuracy and standards are met
Operations Officer - Various Locations in Greenock employer: Scottish Prison Service
The Scottish Prison Service is an exceptional employer, dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment that prioritises employee growth and development. With competitive salaries starting at £29,634 and opportunities for progression, staff are empowered to make a meaningful impact on the community while working in various locations across Scotland. Our commitment to training and a culture of teamwork ensures that every Operations Officer can thrive in their role, contributing to a safer Scotland and transforming lives.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Operations Officer - Various Locations in Greenock
✨Dive into Local Government Events
Get yourself to local government events and public sector job fairs. These are great for meeting recruiters and understanding what different organisations, like Scottish Prison Service, are looking for. Plus, it shows your genuine interest in the sector!
✨Join Relevant Networks
Look for communities focused on public sector careers. Whether it’s local networking groups or online forums, connecting with professionals in the field can provide insider knowledge and opportunities that you won’t find on typical job boards.
✨Utilise Your University’s Resources
If you’re freshly graduated or still studying, make the most of your university's careers service. They often have exclusive partnerships with companies like Scottish Prison Service and can help you get your foot in the door for these full-time public sector roles.
✨Stay Updated with Government Initiatives
Keep your finger on the pulse regarding new government projects and policies. Understanding current initiatives can give you a leg up in interviews, showing that you are informed and genuinely interested in making a difference in the public sector.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Officer - Various Locations in Greenock
Some tips for your application 🫡
Highlight Relevant Experience:In the public sector, having experience in community engagement, policy analysis, or project management stands out. Make sure to showcase any previous roles or volunteer work that reflects your understanding of public service values and how they've shaped your career path.
Showcase Your Knowledge of the Sector:When you’re applying for a government role, it’s crucial to demonstrate your understanding of the current political landscape and public policies. Consider including articles you've written or relevant projects that underline your capability to engage with these concepts effectively.
Tailor Your CV to Reflect Core Competencies:Government positions often require a clear demonstration of competencies such as communication, teamwork, and problem-solving. Try to structure your CV to highlight these skills, using specific examples of how you’ve applied them in past experiences, ideally with quantifiable outcomes where possible.
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter:Your cover letter is your chance to tell your story and convey your passion for public service. Discuss why you want to work for Scottish Prison Service and how your values align with their mission. Be genuine and let your enthusiasm shine through—this can really set you apart from other candidates.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Prison Service
✨Get to Know Public Sector Values
Before your interview with Scottish Prison Service, dig deep into their mission and values, especially how they align with public service and community impact. Understand the key policies or initiatives they are involved in – you’ll want to show that you genuinely care about serving the community.
✨Brush Up on Regulatory Knowledge
Brush up on the regulations, laws, and compliance standards relevant to the role you’re applying for. Since this is the government and public sector, they might throw technical questions related to policy frameworks or project management best practices that you'll need to navigate day-to-day.
✨Highlight Teamwork and Collaboration
The government sector thrives on collaboration. Be ready to discuss how you've successfully worked in diverse teams or involved stakeholders in your projects. Show us how you bring people together to get a common goal achieved – that's what public service is all about!
✨Prepare Real-Life Examples
Craft a few STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) stories that demonstrate your experience in similar roles. Whether it’s a project that made a difference in the community or a challenging situation you managed, be ready to express how your skills and experiences make you a valuable asset for Scottish Prison Service.
