Caseworker

Ministry of Justice; United States; Hybrid; USD 39,000 - 42,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Disability Confident employer

Hybrid working

Flexible working opportunities

Job summary

The Ministry of Justice is seeking a Caseworker to manage a diverse portfolio of complex applications and enquiries, including CFF claims, exhumation applications and churchyard closures. You will assess evidence, make decisions and communicate with bereaved families and local authorities with professionalism.

Working in a collaborative team, you will help ensure high-quality customer service and maintain accurate records, contributing to continuous improvement across casework processes.

Qualifications

• Make sound decisions based on thorough analysis of evidence and established policy.
• Handle sensitive issues with tact, empathy and professionalism.
• Communicate clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing.

Responsibilities

• Deciding and authorising CFF claims.
• Assessing and determining exhumation applications on behalf of the Secretary of State.
• Considering applications relating to the development of disused burial grounds and churchyard closures, liaising with local authorities and stakeholders.
• Processing applications for the appointment of crematorium medical referees.
• Drafting correspondence and briefing material for senior officials and Ministers.
• Drafting responses to Freedom of Information requests within statutory timelines.

Skills

Decision making

Analytical thinking

Communication skills

Stakeholder engagement

Discretion & empathy

Job description

The team is responsible for delivering important statutory functions on behalf of the Secretary of State and provides an essential public service to bereaved families, local authorities, burial and cremation authorities and other stakeholders. The work is varied, challenging and often fast-paced, requiring excellent judgement, strong communication skills and the ability to manage sensitive cases with professionalism and empathy. Caseworker - the role As a Caseworker, you will manage a diverse portfolio of complex applications and enquiries, including claims to the Children's Funeral Fund for England (CFF), exhumation applications (including in the context of archaeological projects), churchyard closures and the development of disused burial grounds. You will assess evidence, analyse often complex or conflicting information, and make clear decisions in line with legislation, policy and guidance. The role offers a unique opportunity to develop expertise in a highly specialised area of public administration, while gaining valuable experience in decision-making, stakeholder engagement and the handling of sensitive and sometimes high-profile cases. Working as part of a supportive and collaborative team, you will play a key role in ensuring that casework is handled fairly, consistently and efficiently, delivering high standards of customer service to the public and stakeholders alike. This role would suit someone who enjoys casework, has strong analytical and customer service skills, and is motivated by the opportunity to make a meaningful difference through the delivery of an important public service.

• Deciding and authorising CFF claims
• Assessing and determining exhumation applications on behalf of the Secretary of State.
• Considering applications relating to the development of disused burial grounds and churchyard closures, liaising with local authorities, the Privy Council and other stakeholders.
• Processing applications for the appointment of crematorium medical referees.
• Communicating with applicants, bereaved families, local authorities, coroners, burial and cremation authorities and other stakeholders.
• Drafting correspondence and briefing material for senior officials and Ministers.
• Drafting responses to Freedom of Information requests within the statutory timeline.
• Maintaining accurate records and support reporting, quality assurance and continuous improvement activities., If we receive applications from more suitable candidates than we have vacancies for at this time, we may hold suitable applicants on a reserve list for 12 months, and future vacancies requiring the same skills and experience could be offered to candidates on the reserve list without a new competition.
• Candidates applying from HMPPS should note that the Ministry of Justice does not have the same conditions of employment as HMPPS. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful.
• The MoJ is proud to be Level 3 Disability Confident. Disability Confident is the approach through which we offer guaranteed interviews for all people with disabilities meeting the minimum criteria for the advertised role as set out in the job description., It is difficult to prepare for strength type questions. However, you can think through your answers, focus on your achievements and aspects you enjoy and decide how these can be applied in the organisation and role. While strengths questions are shorter and we do not expect a full STAR response, the panel is interested in your first reaction to the question and information or reasoning to support this. Further information on Civil Service Strengths can be found via this link Success Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK, The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity.
• Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone's circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review. For nationally advertised roles: All successful candidates will be appointed to the nearest viable office nearest to their home postcode and on its respective pay scale. This will be at either a HQ building (subject to desk allocation, a Justice Collaboration Centre (JCC) or a Justice Satellite Office (JSO) - See Map. All employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in an office, subject to local estate capacity). For current MoJ employees, your base location will need to be changed to the nearest viable office (to your home postcode), either at a HQ building, JCC or JSO within the National Office Network and moved its location's respective pay scale (any legacy arrangements/locations will need to be amended). Some of MoJ's terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made. MoJ candidates who are on a specialist grade, will be able to retain their grade on lateral transfer. All candidates who are currently in receipt of Mark Time / Pay Protection should ensure they are familiar with the new policy on permanent and temporary promotion which can be found on the employee intranet. Flexible working hours The Ministry of Justice offers a flexible working system in many offices. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week. MoJ welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy., As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team. For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos. 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. Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Essential Skills

• Make sound decisions based on thorough analysis of evidence and established policy.
• Handle sensitive issues with tact, empathy and professionalism and in line with relevant policy, legislation and guidance
• Communicate clearly and confidently, both verbally and in writing.
• Manage competing priorities and work effectively in a fast-paced environment.
• Build positive working relationships with colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Work independently while contributing to a supportive team culture.
• Demonstrate excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.

Desirable skills/expertise

• Awareness of the Government's priorities, You will be asked to provide a Work History during the application process to assess any demonstrable experience, career history and achievements that are relevant to the role.

Behaviours During the application process you will be asked to provide an example of how you have met the following behaviours:

• Making Effective Decisions (Lead)
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing, Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing, A sift based on the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.

Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit 250 Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Experience We will assess your experience for this role via the following methods CV or Work History Evidence of Experience CV or Work History, Making Effective Decisions Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing

MoJ is the largest government department, employing over 90,000 people with a budget of approximately £10 billion. Each year, millions of people use our services across the UK - including at 500 courts and tribunals, and 133 prisons in England and Wales.

The national salary range is £29,303 - £31,061 London salary range is £33,551 - £35,564. Your salary will be dependent on your base location, Existing Civil Servants will have their salary calculated in accordance with the Department's pay on transfer / pay on promotion rules.

It may help to use one or more examples of a piece of work you have completed or a situation you have been in and use the WHO or STAR model to explain:

• WHO - What it was? How you approached the work/situation? What the Outcomes were, what did you achieve?Or
• STAR - What was the Situation? What were the Tasks? What Action did you take? What were the Results of your actions?

The MoJ offers a range of benefits: Annual Leave Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years' service. There is also a scheme to allow qualifying staff to buy or sell up to three days leave each year. Additional paid time off for public holidays and 1 privilege day. Leave for part-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro-rata basis. Pension The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best. Training The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities. Networks The opportunity to join employee-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. There are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender employees. Eligibility Staff on fixed term appointments must have been recruited through fair and open competition. Vacancies advertised "cross-government" are only open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited non-departmental public bodies (NDPBs) who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules. Support A range of 'Family Friendly' policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share. Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services. For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave. Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.

Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.