Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Cowlinge, East of England, CB8 9YG About the job Job summary Please see job description. Job description An extraordinary job. Done by someone like you. Prison officers protect the public and help make an impact on prisoners' lives. If you have the integrity, skills and strength of character were looking for, this fast-paced role could be the start of a successful career. Address HMP Highpoint, Stradishall, Newmarket CB8 9YG Salary £34,448 - £38,541 City / Town Cambridge Region East Vacancy Type Merit Someone like you Theres no such thing as a typical prison officer. Our officers come from different walks of life, just like the offenders they work with. Whether youre a parent, a teacher, have worked in retail, the armed forces, or just feel like youre a natural people person, youll have the empathy, self-confidence, great communication skills and resilience we want. No matter the challenge, youll take the time to build constructive, positive and professional relationships with prisoners who could be at the lowest point in their lives. Teamwork plays a vital role in this environment, so youll need to be fully committed to supporting your colleagues and understand the importance of acting as one team to keep the prison, and everyone who works here safe. You will be required to work various shifts and some weekends. An extraordinary job In this unique career, youll have the opportunity to carry out many different roles in any one day. One minute youre a peacekeeper, the next youre a counsellor or a teacher. Youll work directly with prisoners in a unique environment, helping to protect the public and make a positive impact. Find out more about this varied role and day-to-day life as a prison officer. Job details Eligibility To become a prison officer, you will need to: be at least 18 years old at the point you commence employment meet the Civil Service Nationality requirements (see nationality requirements section below) as this is a physically active job, you will need to pass a medical and fitness assessment as part of the application process meet the required eyesight standard in both eyes (both with and without corrective lenses) For safety reasons, everyone training to be a prison officer needs 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 as 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. Travel to Work Some prison establishments are situated in rural locations with limited public transport options; therefore, a driving licence and own transport is beneficial but is not an essential requirement of the role (unless specified). Please note that shift start, and finish times are fixed, and it is your responsibility to get to and from your place of work on time for the start of your shift. Please carefully consider the location of this vacancy and your transport options before applying. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: 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) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families 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 Further information on nationality requirements https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules. 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. You can read more about Skilled Worker visas and the eligibility criteria here. Successful applicants must ensure they have and maintain the legal right to live and work in the Civil Service and in the United Kingdom. Essential skills You dont need qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities are more important. You need to show: communication and influencing skills commitment to quality effective decision-making care and understanding 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 £34,448 a year 39 hours a week £36,494 a year 41 hours a week £38,541 a year All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances that are applicable to the role/location. Prisons operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This means you will have to cover various shift patterns that will include evenings, some nights, weekends and public holidays (these days are added to your holiday allowance). Most prisons work with a changing shift pattern of 39 hours a week. You may also have opportunities to work additional paid hours. 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 of up to 20% of your salary cycle to work scheme, travel loans and other benefits Read more about prison officer benefits. Assessment Process During the recruitment process you will be assessed on the behaviours, strengths and abilities you need to become an effective prison officer. These include: communicating and influencing managing a quality service making effective decisions caring Your natural strengths are assessed to find out what motivates and energises you. We will also assess your numerical, written English and spoken English abilities. Online Tests Once you have completed your initial application form, you will be invited to complete stage 1 of the online test, to see if you have the basic judgement and numerical skills expected of a prison officer. If you are successful, we will invite you to the stage 2 online test (task-based assessment) to see if you have the natural behaviours and qualities needed to be an effective prison officer. The online assessment centre (OAC) On successful completion of the online tests, we will invite you to an online assessment centre where we test to see if you have the abilities, behaviours and strengths to be a prison officer. Read more about the application process. 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, youll need to apply again. If your application is unsuccessful at the sift/assessment stage, a six month waiting period will be applied during which time you will not be allowed to submit any further applications for prison officer positions. Operational Support Grade Role Our Online Assessment Centre (OAC), will not only assess you against the key criteria to become a prison officer but will also determine your suitability for appointment as an operational support grade OSG. If following attendance at your OAC, you are unsuccessful in your application to become a prison officer, we may instead offer you an alternative role as an OSG. Medical and Fitness Once we identify a vacancy for you, we will invite you to complete a medical and fitness test. This will cover an eyesight test, hearing test and basic health screening, including a blood pressure check. Working for the Civil Service 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 recruitment principles you can raise a formal complaint in the following order: Shared Services Connected Ltd: call 0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or email Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com Ministry of Justice Resourcing The Civil Service Commission. 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 As a Disability Confident employer, the MoJ is committed to ensuring that everyone can demonstrate their skills, talent, and abilities. Offering reasonable adjustment support to candidates when they apply for one of our jobs is just one way, we do this. Before completing online tests or attending an online assessment centre, it is essential to arrange reasonable adjustment support. Due to practical and logistical constraints, our assessors cannot accommodate requests on the day of the assessment centre. Therefore, we kindly request that you let us know in plenty of time if adjustments are required. This will help ensure the right support is in place for you when you need it. Applying for reasonable adjustment support has been made simple. Just tick yes when it asks if you think you might need it. The jobholder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh. Allowance Details Please refer to additional job description attachment Additional Information If you require any assistance, please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm) or e-mail MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference 785. The jobholder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh. Closing date: 15th December 2024 Band-3-PO-Safe-Decent-and-Secure-JD048-v8.0 (1).pdf 150KB Opens in a new window A Great Place to Work for Veterans The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces. For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit : https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans Redeployment Interview Scheme Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ are committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'. MoJ are able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidate's will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion. Whats it really like to work as a prison officer? Our interactive online activity will give you an insight into some of the situations prison officers may experience day-to-day in their work. This is to help you decide whether the prison officer role is right for you, and your responses in the activity will not form part of your application. You can access the activity here Interactive Activity Person specification If you require any assistance, please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm) or e-mail MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com. Please quote the job reference 785 The jobholder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh. Closing Date - 15th December 2024 Benefits Alongside your salary of £34,448, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £9,979 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 Things you need to know Selection process details Please see job description. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Medical Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: 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 Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com Telephone : 0845 241 5358 Recruitment team Email : Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com Further information Appointment to the Civil Service is governed by the Civil Service Commissions Recruitment Principles. I you feel a department has breached the requirement of the Recruitment Principles and would like to raise this, please contact SSCL (Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiriesgov.sscl.com) in the first instance. If the role has been advertised externally (outside of the Civil Service) and you are not satisfied with the response, you may bring your complaint to the Commission. For further information on bringing a complaint to the Civil Service Commission please visit their web pages: http://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/civil-service-recruitment/complaints https://justicejobs.avature.net/careers/JobDetail/785 Attachments Band-3-PO-Safe-Decent-and-Secure-JD048-v8.0 Opens in new window (pdf, 151kB) Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail