Operational Support Grade

Hmp Lancaster Farms; Lancaster; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A correctional facility in Lancaster seeks an Operational Support Grade to manage the day-to-day running of the prison. Responsibilities include patrols, monitoring CCTV, controlling access, and supervising prisoner activities. The role requires effective communication skills and the ability to work various shifts, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Candidates must be confident in spoken English to fulfill all spoken aspects of the job. This position offers a competitive salary and generous benefits including annual leave and a pension scheme.

Benefits

25 days annual leave

Civil Service pension scheme

Paid Level 2 apprenticeship

Retail discounts

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• Must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English.

Responsibilities

• Manage gate/portal duties for secure entry and exit.
• Operate control room, monitor CCTV, report suspicious activities.
• Book and process visitors for security.
• Monitor mail, report contraband, preserve evidence.
• Ensure cell doors are locked and prisoners accounted for.
• Support tasks in reception, photograph and document prisoners.
• Supervise prisoners and assist with movement.
• Deliver and collect food trolleys.
• Transport prisoners and collect mail.
• Monitor phone call logs and paperwork.
• Conform to procedures and emergency responses.

Skills

Communicating and Influencing

Managing a Quality Service

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.

Responsibilities

• Gate/portal duties – secure entry and exit, staff searches, key management
• Control room – operate radio system, monitor CCTV, report suspicious activities
• Visits – book visits, process visitors, escort if required
• Censors/correspondence – monitor mail, report contraband, preserve evidence
• Night duties – ensure cell doors are locked, prisoners are accounted for
• Reception – support tasks, photograph prisoners, collate documentation, search property
• Prisoner supervision – supervise prisoners, exchange clothing/property, assist free‑flow movement
• Food delivery – food trolley delivery and collection, electric tug vehicle use
• Driving duties – transport prisoners and escort to destinations, collect mail
• Phone calls – monitor PIN system, log PIN phone requests, complete paperwork, check legal numbers
• Procedures and protocol – understand and conform to national and local policies, invoke emergency procedures, respond to incidents

Success Profile

• Communicating and Influencing
• Managing a Quality Service

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

13241 – Operational Support Grade – HMP Lancaster Farms (Prison Support Role)

Benefits

• 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

£29,432 – 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.