Operational Support Grade

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

Job summary

A government agency in Leicester is looking for an Operational Support Grade to manage day-to-day prison operations. This role involves driving duties, monitoring security systems, and supervising prisoner movements in a challenging environment. Candidates must have a valid UK driving licence and demonstrate effective communication skills. The position entails working varied shifts, including nights and weekends, with a salary of £29,432 annually plus benefits such as annual leave and participation in a pension scheme.

Benefits

Civil Service pension scheme

Employee Assistance Programme

Season ticket loans

Retail discounts

Qualifications

• Must hold a valid, full UK driving licence.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English.
• Experience in a support role is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Manage day-to-day operations of the prison environment.
• Ensure the secure entry and exit of staff and visitors.
• Monitor CCTV and communicate via the establishment radio system.
• Transport prisoners and maintain security protocols.
• Supervise prisoners and assist with their movements.

Skills

Driving duties

Communication

Teamwork

Observation

Attention to detail

Job description

PLEASE NOTE Driving duties are an essential part of the OSG role at HMP Leicester and therefore all candidates are required to hold a valid, full UK driving licence.

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.

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after 10 years' service (calculated on a pro‑rata basis) plus 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.