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- Tasks: Make a real difference in the community while maintaining custody and order.
- Company: Join the Scottish Prison Service and help transform lives.
- Benefits: Starting salary of £29,634 with progression opportunities and shift patterns.
- Why this job: Be at the heart of a mission to build a safer Scotland.
- Qualifications: Must have the right to work in the UK; strong communication skills required.
- Other info: Dynamic role with diverse interactions and significant community impact.
The predicted salary is between 29634 - 33569 £ per year.
Location: HMP Barlinnie
Salary: Starting salary of £29,634 progressing to £33,569 within 3 years, subject to pay progression
Closing Date:
Hours of Work:
Job Purpose: 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 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.
Operations Officer in Scotland 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 Scotland
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in the industry, attend events, and connect with current or former employees of the Scottish Prison Service. Building relationships can give us insider info and might just land you an interview.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by researching common questions for Operations Officer roles. We should practice our responses, focusing on how our skills align with the job description. Confidence is key!
✨Tip Number 3
Showcase your soft skills! As an Operations Officer, communication and empathy are crucial. During interviews, we should share examples that highlight these abilities, especially in challenging situations.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to 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 at HMP Barlinnie.
We think you need these skills to ace Operations Officer in Scotland
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 transforming lives and building 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 and interpersonal skills in your application. Share examples that show your ability to build rapport and handle challenging situations with empathy.
Highlight Problem-Solving Abilities: The role involves managing security and responding to various situations, so make sure to include instances where you've successfully solved problems or handled emergencies. 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. Plus, it’s super easy to navigate!
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 listed in the job description, especially around maintaining security and facilitating family contact. This will help you answer questions confidently 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 situations where you've had to think on your feet and solve problems. The role involves managing challenging behaviour and ensuring safety, so share specific examples that showcase your critical thinking and decision-making skills under pressure.
✨Emphasise Teamwork and Adaptability
The Operations Officer position requires working closely with a team and adapting to various shifts. Highlight your experience in team settings and your flexibility in handling different work patterns. This will reassure the interviewers that you can thrive in a dynamic environment like theirs.
