202512: Prison Officer - HMP Wymott

Ministry of Justice; Leyland; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a Prison Officer at HMP Wymott in Leyland, UK. You will be responsible for carrying out various roles throughout the day. Eligible candidates must be 18+, meet nationality requirements, and pass medical assessments. The role offers a starting salary of £35,875 for 39 hours a week, with numerous benefits including paid holidays and a pension plan. This is a merit-based vacancy, with successful applicants added to a merit list for selection.

Benefits

25 days annual holiday

Paid public holidays

Civil Service pension

Cycle to work scheme

Travel loans

Qualifications

• 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.
• Have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years for high-security positions.

Responsibilities

• Carry out various roles during the day as a prison officer.
• Ensure effective communication and decision-making.
• Manage quality service within the prison environment.

Skills

Communicating and influencing

Managing a quality service

Making effective decisions

Caring

Job description

Prison officer – HMP Wymott

Location: HMP Wymott, Ulnes Walton Lane, Leyland, Preston, Lancashire PR26 8LW.
Starting salary: £35,875 (for a 39 hour week, 20% unsocial).
City/Town: Leyland.
Region: North West.
Vacancy type: Merit.

Visa sponsorship

From 4 April 2024, the Government increased the salary threshold for Skilled Worker visas. HM Prison and Probation Service (HMPPS) cannot guarantee sponsorship for those applying via the Skilled Worker visa route. If you do not meet the new eligibility criteria, 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.

An extraordinary job

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

Assessment criteria

• Communicating and influencing
• Managing a quality service
• Making effective decisions
• Caring

Eligibility & requirements

• 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, have a suitable standard of hearing (without the use of hearing aids)
• Tattoos may be permitted but must not be offensive, discriminatory, violent, or intimidating. Facial tattoos are generally not acceptable unless for cultural, religious, or medical reasons.
• For high‑security (category A) prison, have been resident in the UK for the last 3 years

Application process

1. Complete the initial application form.
2. Stage 1: online test – basic judgement and numerical skills.
3. Stage 2: online tests – task‑based assessment.
4. Attend an online assessment centre (OAC) if successful.
5. Upon OAC success and allocation to a vacancy, complete a medical and fitness test (eyesight, hearing, health screening, blood pressure).

Pay & working hours

Initial training: 37 hours per week. After training you can choose to work 37, 39, or 41 hours per week. Your annual salary reflects your weekly hours.

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

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

Merit vacancy

This is a merit job vacancy. Successful candidates at the OAC are added to a merit list based on their score. Positions become available as the prison makes offers to individuals with the highest scores first. You can stay on the merit list for 12 months, after which you’ll need to re‑apply.

Operational support grade (OSG)

If you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer, you may be offered an alternative role as an OSG. The OSG role is also determined at the OAC.

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 can raise a complaint by contacting Shared Services Connected Ltd: call 0845 241 5358 (Mon‑Fri 8am‑6pm) 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. Please see the Civil Service People Plan and Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Reasonable adjustment support

Check 'yes' if you might need a reasonable adjustment.