13053 - Operational Support Grade - HMP Huntercombe (Prison Support Role)

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

Job summary

A leading public sector organization in the UK seeks an Operational Support Grade. You will manage daily prison operations including security tasks, prisoner supervision, and driving responsibilities. The role requires a valid UK Driving Licence and confidence in spoken English. The position offers a competitive salary of £29,432 along with generous holiday entitlement and benefits such as a pension scheme and retail discounts. Applicants should be prepared for shift work, including nights and weekends.

Benefits

Generous Civil Service pension scheme

Paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service

Retail discounts

Cycle to Work scheme

Qualifications

• Candidates must hold a full, valid UK Driving Licence.
• Must be confident in spoken English.

Responsibilities

• Look after the day-to-day running of a busy prison.
• Operate the establishment radio system and monitor CCTV.
• Supervise prisoners and ensure safety.

Job description

Overview

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.

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

Responsibilities, Activities and Duties

• Gate/portal duties: secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; carry out searches; issue and collect staff keys/radios.
• Control room: operate the establishment radio system and monitor CCTV, reporting all suspicious activities.
• Visits: book visits, identify and process visitors, escort if required.
• Censors/correspondence: monitor and log mail, report any illicit or contraband items, maintain evidence preservation.
• Night duties: ensure cell doors are locked/secure and prisoners are accounted for.
• Reception: support tasks, photograph prisoners, collate documentation for the property process, search/x‑ray incoming property and parcels, receive items for prisoners and check seals are intact.
• Prisoner supervision: supervise prisoners, undertake clothing/property exchange, assist officers with free‑flow movement.
• Food delivery: deliver and collect food trolleys, using an electric tug vehicle if required.
• Driving duties: transport prisoners and their escort to destinations; collect mail from local sorting office.
• Phone calls: monitor the PIN system, log PIN phone requests, maintain audit trail, verify legal numbers are registered.
• Procedures and protocol: understand and conform to national and local policies, respond to emergencies and incidents.

Salary and Benefits

Annual salary: £29,432 for a 37 hour working week inclusive of 20% unsocial hours working allowance.

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after 10 years’ service (pro‑rata).
• Bank, public and privilege holidays: 9 days.
• 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.

Hours

You will work an average of 37 hours per week, including night shifts, evenings, weekends, and Bank/Public holidays. These days are added to your holiday allowance and the pattern is rolling. Night shift frequency varies by establishment and can be discussed at interview.

Interview and Assessment

The interview will assess you on Success Profile behaviours – Communicating and Influencing, Managing a Quality Service – and your experience. It is an opportunity to present your work history and personal experiences to demonstrate suitability for prison work.

Applicants must be confident in spoken English, or Welsh when specified for Wales.

Merit List Details

Job offers are based on a merit list. After all applicants have completed the assessment, higher scored candidates receive offers first. You can remain on the merit list for 12 months; otherwise a new application is required.

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