202510:Prison Officer - HMP High Down

Hmp High Down; Banstead; On-site; GBP 39,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK prison service is seeking candidates for the role of prison officer. Successful applicants will complete an assessment center and a series of tests, including medical and fitness evaluations. The position offers competitive salaries ranging from £39,525 to £44,258 annually, depending on hours worked, along with benefits such as holiday leave, a pensions scheme, and additional perks. Candidates must meet residency and health standards to apply.

Benefits

25-30 days annual holiday

Paid public holidays

Civil Service pension

Cycle-to-work scheme

Travel loans

Qualifications

• Must have a suitable standard of hearing without hearing aids.
• Must have been a resident in the UK for the last three years to work in a high-security prison.

Responsibilities

• Complete online tests to assess judgment and numerical skills.
• Undergo a medical and fitness test.
• Participate in an assessment center for final selection.

Skills

Communicating and influencing

Managing a quality service

Making effective decisions

Caring

Job description

If you are applying to be a prison officer and you do not meet the new eligibility criteria for sponsorship, you will need to consider your options for obtaining and/or maintaining your right to work in the UK in light of these changes. HMPPS will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria. An extraordinary job – in this unique career, you'll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day. During the recruitment process you will be assessed on:

Responsibilities & Assessment Criteria

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Making effective decisions
• Caring
• Passing a medical and fitness assessment
• Meeting the required eyesight standard in both eyes
• Meeting a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
• Visible tattoos are permitted if they are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except for cultural, religious or medical reasons

Eligibility and Health Requirements

To train as a prison officer you must have a suitable standard of hearing without the use of hearing aids. To work in a high‑security (Category A) prison you must have been a resident in the UK for the last three years.

Assessment Process

You will be invited to complete Stage 1 of the online test to assess basic judgement and numerical skills. If you pass, you will move to Stage 2, a task‑based assessment. Successful candidates are then invited to an Online Assessment Centre (OAC). After completing the OAC and being allocated to a vacancy, you will complete a medical and fitness test that covers an eyesight test, hearing test and basic health screening, including a blood‑pressure check.

Pay & Benefits

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 = £39,525 a year
• 39 hours a week = £41,892 a year
• 41 hours a week = £44,258 a year
• 25 days' annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years of service)
• Paid time off for public holidays and one extra privilege day
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97 %
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

Job Offer

If you are successful at the OAC, you will be added to a merit list based on your score. The prison will make job offers to individuals with the highest scores first as positions become available. You can remain on the merit list for 12 months; after that you must re‑apply.

Operational Support Grade (OSG) Role

Following attendance at your OAC, if you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer, you may be offered an alternative role as an Operational Support Grade employee.

Recruitment & Complaints

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 has breached these principles, you may raise a complaint by contacting Shared Services Connected Ltd. (Call 0845 241 5358 or email Moj‑recruitment‑vetting‑[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

If you think you might need a reasonable adjustment, tick ‘yes’ when asked during the application.