Operational Support Grade

Ministry of Justice; Market Drayton; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is looking for an Operational Support Grade to manage day-to-day prison operations. This role requires working in a dynamic environment with responsibilities including monitoring security, supervising prisoners, and managing visits. The ideal candidate should be able to communicate confidently in English and handle various roles within the prison. Competitive salary at £29,432 for a 37-hour work week, along with benefits including annual leave and access to apprenticeship programs.

Benefits

Access to paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service

Generous Civil Service pension scheme

Retail discounts

Employee Assistance Programme

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Ability to work in a team and fulfill spoken aspects of the role confidently in English.
• Capable of managing various duties including security and monitoring.
• Flexibility to work shifts including nights, evenings, weekends, and holidays.

Responsibilities

• Ensure secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, and vehicles.
• Operate the establishment radio system and monitor CCTV.
• Book visits and process visitors on arrival.
• Monitor correspondence for illicit items and preserve evidence.
• Supervise prisoners and assist with transport.

Skills

Communication

Supervision

Attention to Detail

Job description

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., 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. For an example of the shift times that you could be working please visit our website

Responsibilities, activities and duties are likely to include:

• gate/portal duties: ensure the secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; carry out searches of staff, prisoners, visitors, contractors and vehicles; 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 their arrival, escort them if required
• censors/correspondence: monitor/log mail and report any illicit or contraband items, maintaining the preservation of evidence
• 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 for the property process; search/x-ray incoming prisoner property and parcels; receive items for prisoners and check all seals are intact on property storage
• 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, which may involve the use of an electric tug vehicle
• driving duties: transport prisoners and their escort to their destination in the cellular vehicle; collect mail from local sorting office
• phone calls: monitor the Personal Identification Number (PIN) system, maintaining the log of PIN Phone requests from prisoners; complete all relevant paperwork keeping an audit trail of conversations; check that legal numbers are registered solicitors
• procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, responding appropriately to invoke emergency procedures and the actions required in relation to incidents

At the interview we will assess you against the following 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.

11557 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Stoke Heath (Prison Support Role)

annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after 10 years' service (calculated on a pro-rata basis)

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