Operational Support Grade - Advance Into Justice (South West)
Employer: Ministry of Justice
Location: South West England, UK
Pay: £29,432 (includes 20% unsocial working allowance)
Contract Type: Fixed Term Contract, 2 years
Hours: 37 hours per week (including nights, evenings, weekends, bank/public holidays)
Hours: Full time
Disability Confident: No
Closing Date: 02/05/2026
About this job
Fixed Term Contract for a period of 2 years. Your location preference will be captured on the online application form and you will be able to select a maximum of three prison locations.
As an Operational Support Grade, you will look after the day‑to‑day running of a busy prison, working in a close‑knit team to carry out a range of support services. Responsibilities include:
* Gate/portal duties – ensure secure entry and exit of staff, visitors, vehicles; conduct searches and manage keys/radios.
* Control room – operate the radio system and monitor CCTV, reporting any suspicious activity.
* Visits – book visits, identify and process visitors, escort them if required.
* Censors/correspondence – monitor and log mail, report contraband and preserve evidence.
* Night duties – ensure cell doors are locked, prisoners are accounted for.
* Reception – assist with reception tasks, photograph prisoners, collate documentation, search incoming property and parcels.
* Prisoner supervision – supervise prisoners, conduct clothing/property exchanges, assist officers with prisoner movement.
* Food delivery – deliver and collect food trolley, operating electric tug vehicles where required.
* Driving duties – transport prisoners and escorts to destinations in the cellular vehicle; collect mail from sorting office.
* Phone calls – monitor the PIN system, maintain audit trail of conversations and complete required paperwork.
* Solicitors procedures and protocol – understand and implement national and local policies, respond to emergencies and incident actions.
Shift pattern: you will work an average of 37 hours per week, including nights, evenings, weekends and bank/public holidays. The frequency of night shifts will vary per establishment and can be discussed at interview.
Success Profile Behaviours
* Communicating and influencing
* Managing a quality service
Benefits
* 25 days annual leave on appointment, increasing to 30 days after 10 years of service.
* 9 bank, public and privilege holidays.
* Paid Level 2 apprenticeship in customer service.
* Generous Civil Service pension scheme.
* Season ticket loans.
* Retail discounts.
* Employee Assistance Programme.
* Cycle to Work scheme.
Applicants must have the ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English. Welsh language proficiency is required only when specified for positions in Wales.
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