12240 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Hewell (Prison Support Role)

Ministry of Justice; Bromsgrove; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government department is seeking an Operational Support Grade to manage day-to-day activities in a busy prison. Responsibilities include security checks, supervising prisoners, and various support duties. Applicants must have a valid Driving Licence and the role demands the ability to work nights, weekends, and holidays. This position offers a salary of £29,432, inclusive of an allowance for unsocial hours.

Benefits

25 days annual leave (increases with service)

Paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service

Civil Service pension scheme

Retail discounts and Employee Assistance Programme

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a full, valid Driving Licence.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.
• Experience in a team environment.

Responsibilities

• Secure entry/exit of staff and visitors.
• Operate radio systems and monitor CCTV.
• Book and escort visitors.
• Monitor and log mail for contraband.
• Supervise prisoners and assist with clothing/property exchange.
• Transport prisoners and collect mail.

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.

PLEASE NOTE Driving duties are an essential part of the OSG role at HMP Hewell and therefore candidates are required to hold a full, valid Driving Licence.

Benefits

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, 30 days after 10 years of service (pro‑rata)
• 9 days bank, public and privilege holidays
• Paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service
• Generous Civil Service pension scheme
• Season ticket loans, retail discounts, Employee Assistance Programme and Cycle to Work scheme

£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, evenings and weekends.

Hours

You will work an average of 37 hours per week, which will include working night shifts, evenings, weekends and bank/public holidays (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.

Responsibilities, activities and duties are likely to include

• Gate/portal duties: secure entry/exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; conduct searches; issue and collect staff keys/radios.
• Control room: operate radio system and monitor CCTV, reporting all suspicious activities.
• Visits: book visits; identify and process visitors on arrival, escort if required.
• Censors/correspondence: monitor/log mail and report any illicit or contraband items, preserving evidence.
• Night duties: ensure cell doors are locked/secure and all prisoners are safely accounted for.
• Reception: assist with reception tasks, photograph prisoners, collate documentation for property process, search/x‑ray incoming prisoner property and parcels; receive items for prisoners and check all seals are intact on 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 use of an electric tug vehicle.
• Driving duties: transport prisoners and their escort to their destination in cellular vehicle; collect mail from local sorting office.
• Phone calls: monitor PIN system, maintain log of PIN phone requests, complete paperwork, keep audit trail, check legal numbers are registered solicitors.
• Procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, respond appropriately to emergency procedures and incident actions.

Assessment

At the interview we will assess you against the following Success Profile behaviours:

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service

The interview will be of a blended nature consisting of behaviours and experience, giving you the opportunity to tell us more about yourself, your work history and personal experiences.

The job holder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English, or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.

For more information please visit our website: www.prisonsupportroles.co.uk.

Job offers: ‘merit’ vacancy; success will place you on a merit list based on your score. After all applicants complete the assessment, offers will be made in order of highest score first. You may remain on the merit list for 12 months; thereafter you need to reapply.

Allowance details: 20% unsocial working allowance is included in the salary figures quoted.