202512: Prison Officer - HMP Bedford

Ministry of Justice; England; On-site; GBP 35,000 - 41,000; Full time

Job summary

A governmental agency in the UK is seeking a Prison Officer at HMP Bedford. In this role, you will engage in a variety of tasks, ensuring safety and handling prisoners. Requirements include being at least 18 years old, passing medical assessments, and meeting specific standards. The position offers a starting salary of £37,875 for a 39-hour week, along with various benefits such as annual leave and a civil service pension. Opportunities for advancement exist, and candidates will be assessed through a rigorous selection process.

Benefits

25 days annual holiday

Paid time off for public holidays

Civil Service pension with employer contributions

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.
• Have a suitable standard of hearing without aids.

Responsibilities

• Carry out various roles within the prison environment.
• Ensure safety and security in a high-pressure situation.

Skills

Communicating and influencing

Managing a quality service

Making effective decisions

Caring

Job description

Prison Officer – HMP Bedford

HMP Bedford, St Loyes St, Bedford MK40 1HG

Starting salary: £37,875 (for a 39 hour week inc 20% unsocial)

City/Town: Bedford

Region: South East

Vacancy type: Merit

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. HMPPS will continue to comply with UK Immigration Rules applied in the UK and Civil Service.

An extraordinary job

In this unique career, you’ll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day.

Recruitment Assessment

During the recruitment process you will be assessed on:

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

Requirements to Become a Prison Officer

• 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)
• Whilst tattoos are permitted, including those that are visible, they must not be deemed offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating in any way. 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

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

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 = £35,746 a year
• 39 hours a week = £37,875 a year
• 41 hours a week = £40,003 a year

All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances. The standard working week of a prison officer is based on a 39‑hour 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

Read more about prison officer 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 will also assess your suitability for appointment as an operational support grade (OSG). If you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer, we may offer you an alternative role as an OSG.

Code and Requirements

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of 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 has breached the principles you can raise a complaint by contacting Shared Services Connected Ltd: call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email Moj‑recruitment‑vetting‑[e-mail].

Diversity & Inclusion

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