202508: Prison Officer - HMP Hewell

Ministry of Justice; West Midlands; On-site; GBP 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A government department is seeking a Prison Officer at HMP Hewell to ensure the safety and security of inmates. The role includes daily varied tasks, health assessments, and requires candidates to pass medical standards. A salary of £35,875 annually for 39 hours/week is offered, alongside benefits such as 25 days annual holiday, Civil Service pension contributions, and more.

Benefits

25 days annual holiday

Paid time off for public holidays

Civil Service pension with employer contributions

Cycle to work scheme

Travel loans

Qualifications

• Must be at least 18 years old at the commencement of employment.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment.
• Meet required eyesight standard in both eyes.
• For high security prisons, must have been a UK resident for the last 3 years.

Responsibilities

• Carry out various roles daily in a prison environment.
• Ensure the safety and security of inmates.
• Follow guidelines for personal conduct and professionalism.

Skills

Communicating and influencing

Managing a quality service

Making effective decisions

Caring

Job description

Overview

Prison officer – HMP Hewell, HMP Hewell, Hewell Ln, Redditch B97 6QS

Starting salary: £35,875 (for a 39 hour week inc 20% unsocial).

From 4 April 2024, the Government increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot guarantee sponsorship for Skilled Worker visa applicants. If you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship, you will need to consider options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK. HMPPS will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules.

You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here.

In this unique career

You’ll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day.

Recruitment process and assessments

During the recruitment process you will be assessed on:

• communicating and influencing
• managing a quality service
• making effective decisions
• caring

To become a prison officer, you will need to:

• be at least 18 years old at the commencement of employment
• meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements
• pass a medical and fitness assessment
• meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes
• for safety reasons, meet a suitable standard of hearing
• tattoos are permitted but must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious, or medical reasons

For safety reasons, everyone training to be a prison officer needs a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids).

To work in a high security prison (category A) you must have been a resident in the UK for the last 3 years.

How to apply

Once you have completed your initial application form, you will be invited to complete stage 1 of the online test to assess basic judgement and numerical skills. If you pass, you will be invited to stage 2 of the online tests, which is a task-based assessment. If you pass the online tests, you will be invited to an online assessment centre (OAC). Once you have successfully completed the OAC and are allocated to a vacancy, you will be invited to complete a medical and fitness test (including eyesight, hearing, and a basic health screening such as a blood pressure check).

Pay

The initial training is 37 hours a week. After training, you can choose to work 37, 39 or 41 hours a week. Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.

• 37 hours a week = £33,746 a year
• 39 hours a week = £35,875 a year
• 41 hours a week = £38,003 a year

All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances. The standard working week is based on 39 hours per week.

Benefits

• 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)
• paid time off for public holidays and 1 extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%
• cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

Read more about prison officer benefits

Job offers and merit

This is a merit vacancy. If you are successful at the online assessment centre, you will be added to a merit list based on your score. Job offers are made to individuals with the highest scores first when positions become available. You can stay on the merit list for 12 months; after this, you’ll need to reapply.

Operational Support Grade (OSG)

Our Online Assessment Centre (OAC) will determine your suitability for appointment as a prison officer and may also consider you for an alternative role as an Operational Support Grade (OSG) within the Ministry of Justice if applicable.

Ethics and inclusion

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour for Civil Servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. If you feel the recruitment process breached the principles, you can raise a complaint by contacting Shared Services Connected Ltd: 0845 241 5358 (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm) or [e-mail].

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining, and investing in talent wherever it is found. To learn more, see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Reasonable adjustment support

Just tick “yes” when it asks if you think you might need a reasonable adjustment.