SOC Operations Communications Officer

Ministry of Justice; Leeds; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in the United Kingdom is seeking a candidate to support the Serious and Organised Crime Unit. The role involves monitoring communications and ensuring compliance with legal regulations while driving and holding a valid UK driving licence. Candidates must also manage the Digital Case Management System and maintain accurate records while liaising with various stakeholders. This position requires occasional travel to prisons and meetings, and candidates must be SC vetted. The adaptation to changing work environments is essential.

Qualifications

• Must be able to drive and hold a clean and valid UK driving licence.
• Must be SC vetted.

Responsibilities

• Monitor PIN Phone, Video Calls, and CCTV.
• Report suspicious activities and ensure compliance with RIPA.
• Maintain a database for RIPA authorities.
• Maintain the Digital Case Management System.
• Liaise with analysts and SOCU officers.

Job description

Overview

The Directorate of Security (DOS) exists to support HMPPS in its mission to prevent victims by changing lives. We do this by creating conditions for a firm, stable and secure base on which decent regimes, relationships and rehabilitation can be built. To keep prisons, probation, and youth custody services lawful, safe, and secure by managing risks and threats.

The Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) in HMPPS Headquarters will deliver HMPPS’ response to the threat of Serious and Organised Crime (SOC). Focusing on Serious and Organised Crime the post holder will play a vital role in collecting information through a variety of platforms. This is a regional role that will require the post holder to work mainly from the DOS Regional Hubs, but at times, remotely in establishments when required. This is a non-operational role.

Summary

The post holder will support SOCU to develop information around the cohort of individuals who have been identified as serious and organised criminals. The Regional Serious and Organised Crime Unit is a function of HMPPS’ Serious and Organised Crime Unit (SOCU), part of National Security Group within the Directorate of Security. The post holder must be able to drive and hold a clean and valid UK driving licence. The post holder must be SC vetted. The DOS Regional Hubs will be the main base for the post holder, but there will be a need for frequent travel to prisons to complete work as required. The post holder will on occasion be required to travel to meetings as and when required, this may require overnight stays. The post holder has no line management responsibility.

Responsibilities

• PIN Phone monitoring
• Video Call monitoring
• CCTV monitoring – R50A
• Mail monitoring
• Ensuring all suspicious activities are reported and ensure personal actions are compliant with Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act (RIPA).
• In each of these tasks, the post holder will be required to keep good records, follow procedures, report intel, and elevate to the Regional SOCU Lead/Deputy Lead appropriately in the case that a serious breach of security is identified.
• All work carried out must be compliant with current IPCO regulations, by being responsible for maintaining a database of RIPA authorities to ensure that all interception of communications/CCTV monitoring is appropriately authorised and reviews are completed by the appropriate grade in a timely manner.
• The post holder will be required to manage the upkeep of the Digital Case Management System and undertake administrative duties relating to area of work as required.
• The post holder will be responsible for mail and pin phone monitoring and to observe movements and associations of identified SOI.
• Liaise with analysts in the RIU and SOCU officers/managers to ensure they have full knowledge of banded nominals cases to enable high quality monitoring of communications.
• The post holder will/must be able to work on their own initiative.
• The role will require working in establishments, sometimes at short notice to lead or form part of tactical disruption interventions.
• Maintain and update systems in line with local agreements.
• Prepare relevant documentation for managers for verification/quality checking purposes.
• Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
• Undertake any specialist training required.
• Establish, develop, and maintain professional relationships with staff, partners and stakeholders as required.
• Understand and comply with national/local policies and legislation.

Requirements

The post holder must be able to drive and hold a clean and valid UK driving licence. The post holder must be SC vetted.