23538 - Security Guard RCJ

Background

Her Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service has embarked on a reform programme that will include significant estates modernisation and greater use of digital solutions, and will provide much improved services for service users. Our vision is to have an efficient and effective courts and tribunals system which enables the rule of law to be upheld, and provides access to justice for all.

Significant investment has been made by HM Treasury to allow HMCTS to provide a more accessible system which is modern and responsive, treats those who use our service with dignity and respect, and which provides better value for money for the taxpayer. Key to implementing the reform programme will be close collaboration with the judiciary, and effective staff engagement. Maintaining a positive and lasting connection between HMCTS management and its staff at this time of such significant change will be critical to success.

An effective courts and tribunals service is fundamental to our democracy, underpinning the rule of law. This is an important opportunity to work in a leadership role that will support and enable this major transformation programme designed not just to give our courts and tribunals a sustainable and affordable future, but to improve further the delivery of justice.

Our service is currently largely organised regionally, and delivered locally, through a large number of courts and tribunal venues. As the reform programme progresses we will increasingly deliver our services nationally through customer service centres, with local venues continuing to be used for hearings. The Royal Courts of Justice will continue to be a flagship hearing centre, with improved courtroom utilisation and modernised and reformed digital case management and e-filing services, and digital working in court.

Key purpose of the role

Security's role is to maintain a safe working environment at the Royal Courts of Justice (RCJ), which is a part of the High Court, comprising just over 100 courts, 79 located in the main Strand building and 31 in the Rolls Building close by.

The cases heard at the RCJ are some of the most high profile ones in England and Wales, reflected in the occupiers including our most senior Judiciary. There is a high degree of liaison with resident and visiting Judiciary.

In addition, there are close to 1,000 members of staff. Hundreds of members of the public and the legal professions use our facilities every day.

Teams of security personnel provide a presence 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. A security presence is also required at the ceremonial and private functions held here in the evenings and weekends.

Security work can be physically demanding. The staff will receive the appropriate training to support them in this role, Court Security Officer (CSO) The Courts Act 2003.

The current high standard of customer service - acknowledged through the award of a Charter-mark for the whole of the RCJ - must be maintained and improved upon if possible, all members of the Security and Enforcements Section, as frontline staff, have a key role to play in this

Key responsibilities may include:

• Monitoring premises and visitors via CCTV and x-ray machines, together with other security checks such as "wanding" court uses/bag searches on arrival.
• Restraining someone attending court, ejecting someone from the court or excluding someone from the court.
• Controlling access doors and gates, checking of vehicles. Searching members of the public entering the court building. Checking pass holders passes.
• Patrol of buildings and satellite buildings, keeping in contact with the Control room with the use of hand held radio’s. Securing the building when it is closed to the public. Escorting contractors, Judiciary and VIP’S etc. Generally providing a secure environment.
• Dealing with enquiries from Staff, Judiciary and public within the complex.
• X-Ray trained to Aviation Standard and AMD’S.
• Responding to panic alarm buttons (PAB’S) in Judges rooms, Courts and Office’s.
• Responding to any security issues within the complex and recording and reporting details of those incidents
• Issuing security passes

Other duties

The post holder is required to work in a flexible way and undertake any other duties reasonably requested by line management which are commensurate with the grade and level of responsibility of this post.

Skills and Experience

2 GCSE’s at Grade C or above, or equivalent qualifications OR have experience of working in a relevant role previously.  

Key Civil Service Competencies

You will be required to provide evidence of the following key competencies at Level 1.

Effective Behaviour

People who are effective are likely to…

Changing and Improving

• Review working practices and come up with ideas to improve the way things are done.
• Learn new procedures, seek to exploit new technologies and help colleagues do the same.
• Co-operate with and be open to the possibilities of change and consider ways to implement and adapt to change in own work role.
• Be constructive in raising issues with managers about implemented changes and the impact these are having on the service.
• Respond effectively to emergencies.

Making Effective Decisions

• Make and record effective decisions following the appropriate decision making criterion.
• Ask questions when unsure.
• Undertake appropriate analysis to support decisions or recommendations.
• Investigate and respond to gaps, errors and irregularities in information.
• Speak up to clarify decisions and query these constructively.
• Think through the implications of own decisions before confirming how to approach a problem/issue.

Leading and Communication

• Put forward their own views in a clear and constructive manner, choosing an appropriate communication method, e.g. e-mail/telephone/face to face.
• Act in a fair and respectful way in dealing with others.
• Write clearly in plain simple language and check work for spelling and grammar, learning from previous inaccuracies.
• Ask open questions to appreciate others’ point of view.

Collaborating and Partnering

• Proactively contribute to the work of the whole team.
• Get to know fellow team members/colleagues and understand their viewpoints and preferences.
• Seek help when needed in order to complete own work effectively.
• Be open to taking on different roles.
• Try to see things from others’ perspectives and check understanding.
• Listen to the views of others and show sensitivity towards others.

Managing a Quality Service

• Communicate in a way that meets and anticipates the customer’s requirements and give a favourable impression of the Civil Service.
• Actively seek information from customers to understand their needs and expectations.
• Act to prevent problems, reporting issues where necessary.
• Gain the knowledge needed to follow the relevant legislation, policies, procedures and rules that apply to the job.
• Encourage customers to access relevant information or support that will help them understand and use services more effectively.
• Take ownership of issues, focus on providing the right solution and keep customers and delivery partners up to date with progress.

Operational Delivery in HMCTS

This role is part of the Operational Delivery Profession. Operational delivery professionals are the outward face of government, providing essential services to the public in a variety of roles. They work in many different departments and agencies across the breadth of the UK, delivering service to customers in

• Face-to-face roles in HMCTS for example a court usher
• Contact Centre roles in HMCTS for example call centre advisers
• Processing roles in HMCTS for example Staff at the County Courts Money-Claims Centre and Courts and Tribunal Administration

Being part of the operational delivery profession means belonging to a cross-government community of people. This will offer you access to information on professional standards, skills development and qualifications to help you continue to improve your development and performance and expand your career options.

Job sharing and reduced hours

All applications for job sharing or reduced hours will be treated fairly and on a case by case basis in accordance with the MoJ’s flexible working policy and equality policy.

Closing date: 21st January 2019 at 23:55 hours

If you require any assistance please call 0845 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@sscl.gse.gov.uk Please quote the job reference 23538