Operational Support Officer (OSO)

Job Introduction

Sodexo Justice Services is one of the leading providers of core custodial services, managing 5 prison establishments across the UK.

Sodexo Justice Services has been operating in the United Kingdom since 1993. We operate five prisons in the UK and have a reputation for operating excellent, ethical, innovative and rehabilitative services. Our vision is to become a strategic partner of our clients by designing, managing and delivering quality of life services which make a meaningful difference to offenders by changing lives for the better.

HMP Northumberland is the newest addition to the SJS estate.  With up to 1348 offenders in our care, we aim to support their rehabilitation by providing real work and education opportunities which match those available in the community.

Recruitment process

•Full completion of application form on Sodexo careers website by 3 April 2016

•Psychometric testing will be emailed to you on 4 April 2016

•Competency based interview: weeks commencing 11 April 2016

•Start Date of course:**Amended date** 27 June 2016

•Number of Jobs Available – 8

Role Responsibility

Is this the job for you?

•The role of an OSO is fundamental in the running of the prison.  OSO’s are essential to the smooth, efficient and effective management of the prison and support colleagues and visitors across all aspects of the site.

•I can demonstrate that I have the interpersonal and communication skills to work with a number of people from diverse backgrounds and experiences and I will on occasion be required to deal with confrontation in a professional and appropriate manner.

•Ability to work within a very structured, repetitive and planned environment and working very closely within a large team

•Maintaining site security by controlling access at the gatehouse, searching vehicles and visitors and checking identification

•Controlling and issuing equipment to colleagues including keys and radios

•Ability to work under pressure and to perform an integral role within the control/CCTV room.  You will be the first point of contact for any incident that occurs within the prison and will monitor all movements and activities and this may mean you see things that are upsetting

We encourage you to truly consider your application and would ask you to review the statements below.

•I am aware that I will be working a 39 hour shift pattern, including antisocial hours, with set rest breaks. The shifts could be early, late, at night, during public holidays (Christmas and New Year) or at the weekend. I know I need to have considered an alternative mode of transport to get to work, if there are unforeseen circumstances; such as snow, my car breaks down or there is no public transport.

•I can work in a highly secure environment, wearing a uniform, under lock and key, without my mobile phone for a 12 hour shift.

•I realise my role is not to prejudge prisoners based on the crimes that have been committed or to punish further those that are in my care.

•I understand that when I start my role I will be on a mandatory Induction Training course, where I will not be given permission for time off and any module’s I may miss, could impact on whether I am able to pass the course.

•I understand that working within a prison I will need to undertake certain security checks, which will check my background and any spent or live criminal convictions.  I also understand that some convictions, whether spent or live, could have an impact on my future employment with Sodexo, these will all need to be disclosed straight away and also during my employment.

Package Description

Starting salary of £15,987pa. Rising to £16,487pa on completion of probation. Excellent benefits including free onsite parking, shopping discounts, pension and 28 days holiday.  39 hour shift pattern working week, including evenings, weekends, nights and bank holidays.

Night shift annual allowance of £1,060pa - night shifts are 7 nights on 7 off.

Applications from candidates who will consider permanent nights are encouraged. All applicants will be considered.

Please note: initial communication will be via email, please monitor your junk and spam folders to ensure you are aware of next stage requirements.

About the Company

In the UK and Ireland, Sodexo employs some 35,000 employees to deliver integrated facilities management services to clients at over 2,000 locations in the corporate, healthcare, education, leisure, defence and justice sectors. With an annual turnover of over £1bn, we provide everything from catering, cleaning and reception to security, laboratory and grounds maintenance services, enabling our clients to focus on their core business.

Sodexo and our clients are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and adults within a regulated activity. Certain roles will require applicants to undergo screening appropriate to the post, including checks with past employers and the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and/ or Disclosure Scotland.