Prison Catering: Caterer - HMP Rochester (Ref: 13446)

HM Prison and Probation Service; Borstal; On-site; GBP 33,000 - 36,000; Full time

Job summary

A government service role offers a unique catering position in Borstal, England, where you will oversee meal preparation for offenders, contributing to their rehabilitation through skills development. The position includes a competitive salary, benefits such as a Civil Service pension, and opportunities for learning. Candidates need catering qualifications, with an essential ability to communicate in English and a strong familiarity with kitchen safety protocols. Standard hours include shifts outside typical business hours.

Benefits

Access to learning and development

Flexible working options

Civil Service pension with employer contribution

Annual Leave

Public Holidays

Season Ticket Advance

Qualifications

• Relevant qualifications in hospitality and catering are essential.
• Must demonstrate competency in a kitchen environment.
• Training in food safety should be updated every three years.

Responsibilities

• Oversee offenders preparing and cooking quality meals.
• Work in a professional kitchen environment.
• Support offenders in learning new skills and gaining qualifications.

Skills

Confidence in speaking English

Competency in an industrial kitchen

Familiarity with health and safety regulations

Education

Level 2 certificate in food production

Food hygiene certificate at Level 2

Vocational Qualification at Level 3

Job description

This is not your average catering job. It is a great chance to put your catering qualifications and skills into practice and make an impact far beyond the kitchen. As part of the prison's catering team, you'll be working in a professional industrial kitchen environment, with a good salary, pension and Civil Service benefits including apprenticeship opportunities 'earn while you learn'. Unlike traditional restaurant jobs, you won't have to work late into the evening. You'll oversee the work of offenders to prepare and cook quality, nutritional meals for the entire prison. Plus, you'll play your part in helping them turn their lives around - supporting them to learn new skills and work towards gaining qualifications to increase their chances of employment and reduce their likelihood of reoffending when they leave prison.

Hours and Salary

You will work a 37-hour week and shift patterns are in place which include hours outside of 7am to 7pm Monday to Friday, weekends and public holidays. You will receive a 20% unsocial hours payment in addition to your basic pay, subject to working these hours. All roles can be open to part-time and job share arrangements subject to the business need/operational requirement. However, you will still be required to undertake the full range of shifts. As a new recruit, you will start on the minimum salary.

Application Process

You will need to provide an anonymised CV and answer questions which outline your past experience. You will also need to answer specific 'behavioural' questions. We will ask you how you would react in your job. Behaviours: Developing self and others, Managing a quality service, Communicating and influencing, Making effective decisions, Working together. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security Checks

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in a new window) checks.

Nationality Requirements

• UK nationals
• Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Qualifications

• Level 2 certificate in food production within hospitality and catering or equivalent
• Food hygiene certificate at Level 2
• Vocational Qualification at Level 3 or be willing to work towards gaining this qualification within an agreed timescale.
• Familiar with all current health, safety and hygiene related regulations for working in a kitchen
• Able to demonstrate competency within an industrial kitchen environment
• Able to speak with confidence in English

Please note refresher training in food safety (HACCP) should be completed at three year intervals.

Band 3 Salary

Band 3 salary minimum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £33,746
Band 3 salary maximum inclusive of 20% unsocial hours allowance - £35,533

Benefits

• Access to learning and development
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options to enhance your work life balance
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity
• Access to the Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
• Annual Leave
• Public Holidays
• Season Ticket Advance

For more information about the recruitment process, benefits and allowances and answers to general queries, please click the below link which will direct you to our Candidate Information Page. Link: https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ