202510: Prison Officer - HMP Portland and HMP The Verne

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

Job summary

A government agency in the UK is seeking a Prison Officer for HMP Portland and HMP The Verne. Applicants must be at least 18 years old, meet residency and health standards, and pass various assessments. The role offers a starting salary of £35,875 for a 39-hour week and includes benefits such as annual holiday, pension contributions, and a merit-based job offer system.

Benefits

25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service)

Paid time off for public holidays

Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97%

Cycle to work scheme

Qualifications

• At least 18 years old at the commencement of employment.
• Meet Civil Service Nationality requirements.
• Pass a medical and fitness assessment.
• Meet required eyesight standard in both eyes.
• Meet a suitable standard of hearing without aids.
• Resident in the UK for the last 3 years to work in a high security prison.

Skills

Communication and influencing

Managing a quality service

Making effective decisions

Caring

Job description

Prison officer – HMP Portland and HMP The Verne

HMP/YOI Portland, 104 Grove Rd, Grove, Portland DT5 1DL
HMP The Verne, Verne Common Rd, Portland DT5 1EQ

Salary

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

Eligibility & Immigration

From 4 April 2024, the Government increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas. The change means that HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot guarantee sponsorship for those seeking sponsorship via the Skilled Worker visa route. 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.

Assessment & Selection

During the recruitment process you will be assessed on:

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

Qualifications

• 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 (without the use of hearing aids)
• tattoos are permitted, including those that are visible, provided they are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable except where this is for cultural, religious or medical reasons.
• 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

1. Complete the initial application form.
2. Complete stage 1 of the online test (basic judgement and numerical skills).
3. Stage 2: task‑based assessment.
4. Online assessment centre (OAC).
5. Medical and fitness test (eyesight, hearing, basic health screening, including a blood pressure check).

Pay & Hours

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 of a prison officer is based on a 39 hours per week shift pattern.

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

Job Offers: Merit Vacancy

This is a merit job vacancy. If you are successful at the online assessment centre, you will be added to a merit list based on your score. When all applicants have completed the assessment centre, the prison will make job offers 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 apply again.

Operational Support Grade Role

Our Online Assessment Centre (OAC) will assess you against the key criteria to become a prison officer but will also determine your suitability for appointment as an operational support grade (OSG). If following attendance at your OAC you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer, we may instead offer you an alternative role as an OSG.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.

Reasonable Adjustment Support

Just tick ‘yes’ when it asks if you think you might need a reasonable adjustment.