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- Tasks: As a Prison Officer, you'll maintain order and support offenders in their rehabilitation journey.
- Company: Join the Scottish Prison Service, dedicated to building a safer Scotland through transformation.
- Benefits: Enjoy a starting salary of £28,425, progressing to £32,200, plus shift work flexibility.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in your community while working in a challenging yet rewarding environment.
- Qualifications: Must have the right to work in the UK; no prior experience required.
- Other info: Shift patterns include early, day, back, and night shifts; apply by 17 April 2025.
The predicted salary is between 28425 - 32200 £ per year.
Starting salary of £28,425 progressing to £32,200 within 3 years, subject to pay progression.
Shift work.
The Scottish Prison Service is now recruiting for Prison Officers - Operations to join us throughout 2025/2026. 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.
Closing date: 17 April 2025.
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.
Prison Officer - Operations employer: Scottish Prison Service
Contact Detail:
Scottish Prison Service Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Prison Officer - Operations
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the Scottish Prison Service's mission and values. Understanding their vision of 'Helping to build a safer Scotland' will help you align your motivations and experiences with what they are looking for in a candidate.
✨Tip Number 2
Highlight any experience you have in conflict resolution or working in challenging environments. This role requires maintaining order and managing behaviour, so showcasing relevant skills can set you apart from other candidates.
✨Tip Number 3
Network with current or former prison officers if possible. They can provide insights into the day-to-day responsibilities and challenges of the role, which can help you prepare for interviews and demonstrate your genuine interest.
✨Tip Number 4
Be prepared to discuss your approach to teamwork and collaboration. As an Operations Officer, you'll be part of a team, so showing that you can work well with others and contribute positively to a team dynamic is crucial.
We think you need these skills to ace Prison Officer - Operations
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Take time to thoroughly read the job description for the Prison Officer - Operations position. Understand the responsibilities and expectations, as this will help you tailor your application to highlight relevant skills and experiences.
Highlight Relevant Experience: In your CV and cover letter, emphasise any previous experience in security, law enforcement, or community service. Showcase how your background aligns with the role's focus on maintaining custody and supporting offenders in their rehabilitation.
Demonstrate Soft Skills: The role requires strong interpersonal skills, resilience, and the ability to manage challenging behaviour. Use specific examples in your application to demonstrate these qualities, showing how you can contribute positively to the environment.
Follow Application Instructions: Ensure that you follow all application instructions provided by the Scottish Prison Service. This includes submitting your application before the closing date of 17 April 2025 and ensuring all required documents are included.
How to prepare for a job interview at Scottish Prison Service
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you thoroughly understand the responsibilities of a Prison Officer - Operations. Familiarise yourself with the key duties such as maintaining custody, managing challenging behaviour, and facilitating opportunities for offenders. This knowledge will help you answer questions confidently and demonstrate your commitment to the role.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Prison Officer, effective communication is crucial. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated in challenging situations, whether in previous jobs or personal experiences. Highlight your ability to influence and encourage others, as this aligns with the role's focus on supporting offenders.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork
The role involves working as part of a team, so be ready to discuss your experience in collaborative environments. Share specific instances where you contributed to a team's success, especially in high-pressure situations. This will show that you can work well with others to maintain security and order.
✨Prepare for Shift Work Questions
Since the position requires shift work, be prepared to discuss your flexibility and willingness to adapt to various working patterns. Think about how you manage your time and maintain work-life balance while working shifts, as this will be important for the interviewers to know.
