This campaign is for part-time prison officers. Click Here if you are looking for a full time position.
Prison Officer HMP Onley – PART-TIME 18.5 HOURS
Starting salary: £23,144 (pro rata) based on location, pension and benefits, plus a 37 hours per week shift pattern
Location: HMP Onley
Region: Midlands
Part time prison officer jobs
We are recruiting part-time prison officer jobs at HMP Onley as part of a pilot to encourage applicants from those who aren’t able to work full-time but can really make a contribution to the Prison Service. These part-time posts are for 18.5 hours per week which is worked against a shift pattern, weekend and evening work is required, but there is also some flexibility about when the work is carried out, this is discussed on a case by case basis. For the first time we are also offering the training to be carried out on a part-time bases at a local training option (an average of 20 hours a week over a 13 week period).
You’ll receive all the training and development as full-time prison officers, however you will complete these during your part-time hours therefore it will just take a little longer to complete. You will also enjoy all the civil service benefits, and where possible we will allocate you to a job share with another part-time officer giving you both the flexibility to cover each other and share working arrangements.
If you are looking for a part-time role where you can change people’s lives, and have the opportunity for development and growth then we want you to apply to join us at HMP Onley.
Train for a job that matters
Negotiator, referee, educator, influencer, life changer – as a prison officer, you’ll be trained to undertake many roles and will learn how to create a safe and secure prison environment. During your 12 to 18-month training, we’ll show you how support adult offenders with rehabilitation while protecting the public too.
During this time, you may be enrolled onto our Level 3 Custody & Detention Officer Apprenticeship.
It can be a tough job, but in return you will receive great pay, training, benefits and have the support of a strong team.
Read more about prison officer careers
What does it take?
You don’t need qualifications to become a prison officer. Personal qualities are more important. In our assessments you need to demonstrate:
- good communication and influencing skills
- commitment to quality
- effective decision-making
- care and understanding
There are some basic requirements. You must:
- be at least 18 years old
- have the right to work in the UK
- be reasonably fit, with good eyesight in both eyes and good hearing
We’ll also check your numerical, written English and spoken English abilities.
What are the benefits?
Salary
37 hours a week = £23,144 a year
Part time 18 ½ hours will be pro rota of the above
All salary figures quoted include any additional allowances. You may also have opportunities to work additional paid hours.
The initial training will average 18.5 hours a week, which you will be paid for. After training, you will work 18.5 hours a week and need to work shifts, including full days, evenings, weekends and nights. There will be plenty of opportunity to discuss your working pattern/rota with your manager. Your annual salary will reflect your weekly hours.
- In addition, you can expect 25 days of annual holiday (rising to 30 days after 10 years’ service), paid time off for public holidays and one extra privilege day. As prisons operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week, you will be expected work on some public and bank holidays. Any that you do work will be added to your annual leave entitlement. Your annual leave will be pro rata to reflect your part-time hours.
- You’ll also benefit from a Civil Service pension of up to 20% of your salary
- a cycle to work scheme
- property rental deposit loans
- travel loans and Key Worker housing schemes.
- Staff in many prisons have additional benefits such as free gym membership, subsidised canteen and free parking. Check with your selected prison for details.
- You may also have opportunities to work additional paid hours.
Training
You initial training will run over 13 weeks, including one full day over the weekend: 8am to 4.45pm. During the week, start times will be 9.45am to 2pm running a cycle of Wednesday, Thursday and Friday one week and Thursday and Friday the following. Training will be delivered locally at the Prison Service’s purpose built College, only 20 minutes away from HMP Onley.
The expected start date is 3rd January 2022.
If you are successful in being offered a prison officer position you may be enrolled onto our professional apprenticeship. If you are not enrolled onto the professional apprenticeship you will still complete the same training as an apprentice with dedicated support and work towards obtaining a Professional vocational Diploma in Custodial Care.
Full details of the apprenticeship scheme and how it will enhance your experience as a prison officer can be found here
How to apply
As you might expect, our recruitment process is very thorough, but it’s designed to help your decide if this is the right career for you. It starts with some basic checks, followed by online tests, to see if you have the judgement and numerical skills expected of a prison officer. We will also look at some of your behaviours these are tested via two online assessments.
The Online Assessment Centre
If you pass the online assessments, we will invite you to a half-day assessment centre, also carried out online. This is where you’ll find out if you have the abilities, strengths and behaviours to be a prison officer.
If you are successful at the online assessment centre, you will be added to a merit list based on your score. Job offers will be made first to those with the highest scores. You can also apply for vacancies at other prisons.
You can stay on the merit list for 12 months. After this, you’ll need to apply again
Once we have made you a provisional offer, we will invite you to come to complete a medical and fitness test. Here we carry out an eyesight test, hearing test and basic health screening, including blood pressure check before you complete a grip test, shield test and a bleep test up to level 5.4.
Find out about the application process
Your job offer
Once you’ve passed the online tests, assessments and pre-employment checks, you will be eligible to start the entry-level training and work as a prison officer.
Diversity & Inclusion
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission’s recruitment principles.
We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity
Disability support
Tell us if you have a disability when you apply, we can offer reasonable adjustments to help with the online tests and online assessment centre.
If you require any assistance, please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am-6pm) or e-mail MoJ-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com.
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. Should you feel that the recruitment process has breached the recruitment principles you are able to raise a formal complaint in the following order
- To Shared Service Connected Ltd (0845 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail Moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@gov.sscl.com);
- To Ministry of Justice Resourcing (resourcing-services@justice.gov.uk);
- To the Civil Service Commission (details available here)
The jobholder must be able to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence in English or (when specified in Wales) Welsh.
