Operational Support Officer (OSO)

Job Introduction

Sodexo Justice Services delivers custodial and community rehabilitation services that challenge offending behaviour, protect the public and offer individuals the opportunity to change their lives for the better. We deliver the total operation of five prisons within England, Scotland and Wales and own six Community Rehabilitation Companies in partnership with crime reduction charity Nacro.

HMP Peterborough is the first purpose-built prison in the UK to house both men and women on the same site. This highly innovative prison is designed to a high standard of physical security. Sodexo Justice Services has ensured that the prison provides needs-based personal development services for both men and women.  January 2015 saw the completion of a new houseblock on the male estate which can house an additional 292 residents, along with an educational activities building.

Recruitment process

•Full completion of application form on Sodexo careers website by 25 May 2017

•Competency based interview: 05 to 09 June 2017

•Start Date of course: 10 July 2017

•Number of Jobs Available – 8

We are now recruiting for the next ITC for female only OSO’s.

Given the nature of the work at Peterborough (there are specific duties that can only be conducted by a female officer, such as the searching, escorting, personal care and supervision of certain procedures of offenders) and in order to maintain offenders’ dignity and standards of decency, we require applications from women only – this complies with Section 7 (2) (b) of the Sex Discrimination Act 1975

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 40 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.

The Ideal Candidate

Essential

• High level of inter personal skills.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• Have a proactive approach to Equality and Inclusion.
• Have a proactive approach to Health and Safety.
• The ability to challenge inappropriate behaviour.
• Ability to perform tasks alone or in a team to a high standard without constant supervision.
• Proactive, systematic approach to tasks

Desirable

• Good IT skills.
• Good team player.
• Good initiative.
• Motivated.
• Positive attitude.

Package Description

Starting salary of £17,383.75. Excellent benefits including free onsite parking, shopping discounts, pension and 28 days holiday. 40 hour shift pattern working week, including evenings, weekends, nights and bank holidays.

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.

We are building on our support to the Armed Forces community through the development of specific pathways within our recruitment process to  support ex-forces personnel and reservists, those applying for jobs with us who meet the ideal candidate criteria for the role advertised are guaranteed to progress to the selection process.

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.

Please note all roles within Sodexo Justice are subject to security and recruitment checks which may include a Social Media Check. You will also be asked to provide 3 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.