202510: Prison Officer - HMP Whatton

Hmp Whatton; Nottingham; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK prison service is seeking dedicated individuals for the role of a prison officer. You will be responsible for various duties within a high-security prison and must meet rigorous selection criteria including judgement assessments and health standards. The role offers a competitive salary, with annual leave rising after 10 years, and contributions to a pension plan. If you are not successful, alternative opportunities as an operational support grade officer may be available.

Benefits

25 days' annual holiday

Paid time off for public holidays

Civil service pension

Qualifications

• Must have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years.
• Meet required eyesight standards in both eyes.
• Meet a suitable standard of hearing without hearing aids.

Responsibilities

• Complete an online test to assess basic judgement and numerical skills.
• Participate in a task-based assessment and Online Assessment Centre.
• Perform various roles in a day in a high-security prison.

Skills

Communicating and influencing

Managing a quality service

Making effective decisions

Caring for prisoners and staff

Job description

Overview

If you are applying to be a prison officer and 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 continues to comply with UK Immigration Rules and the Civil Service.

An extraordinary job – in this unique career you will carry out many different roles in any one day.

Eligibility

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

Assessment Process

You will be invited to complete Stage 1 of an online test to assess basic judgement and numerical skills. If you pass, you will progress to Stage 2, a task‑based assessment, followed by an Online Assessment Centre (OAC). Successful completion of the OAC and allocation to a vacancy leads to a medical and fitness test (eyesight, hearing, basic health screening and blood pressure).

Key Selection Criteria

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Making effective decisions
• Caring for prisoners and staff
• Passing a medical and fitness assessment
• Meeting required eyesight standards in both eyes
• Meeting a suitable standard of hearing (without hearing aids)
• Ensuring tattoos are not offensive, discriminatory, violent or intimidating; facial tattoos are generally not acceptable unless for cultural, religious or medical reasons

Pay and Benefits

• 37 hours a week – £33,746 a year
• 39 hours a week – £35,875 a year
• 41 hours a week – £38,003 a year
• 25 days’ annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years of service)
• Paid time off for public holidays and one privilege day
• Civil Service pension with employer contributions of 28.97 %
• Cycle‑to‑work scheme, travel loans and other benefits

Merit List Information

Successful candidates are added to a merit list based on their score. The list remains valid for 12 months; later vacancies are offered to those with the highest scores.

Operational Support Grade (OSG) Option

If you are not successful as a prison officer, you may be offered an alternative role as an operational support grade (OSG) officer.

Diversity, Equality and Reasonable Adjustment

The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining and investing in talent wherever it is found. Reasonable adjustments are available – just tick ‘yes’ when asked if you might need one. For complaints, contact Shared Services Connected Ltd at 0845 241 5358 (Mon‑Fri 8 am‑6 pm) or email Moj‑recruitment‑vetting‑[e-mail].