Prison Custody Officer (PCO) with Dog

Job Introduction

HMP Peterborough are currently recruiting for a Prison Custody Officer (PCO) with a Dog.

You will be required to be responsible for the passive and active drugs dogs and to carry out the duties of a prison custody officer within HMP Peterborough. You will need to be available for searches within the establishment which may involve unsociable hours.

Sodexo Justice 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.

Role Responsibility

• Performing the duties of a prison custody officer (see attached job description)
• Maintain a high state of vigilance to any possible security risks whilst on duty.
• Maintain the dog’s health and welfare.
• Inform the dog handlers’ manager of any problems that affects the health and welfare of the dog.
• Keep fully up to date, all records and logs concerning the dogs, i.e. veterinary visits, boarding kennels and weight charts for the inspection of your relevant manager.
• Implement all instructions contained in any governor’s order, notices to staff, Security bulletins and dog section instructions.
• Assist other dog handlers with the training and development of other members of staff involved in drugs dog work.
• Act in a professional manner with his/her dog at all times when on and off duty.
• Attend regular training courses throughout the year in relation to both passive and proactive dogs.
• Detect and prevent the supply and movement of illegal drugs into the establishment.
• Ensuring a safe environment for staff, residents and their visitors.
• Protect our prison from drug-related anti-social and criminal behaviour

The Ideal Candidate

• Experience in handling working dogs.
• High level of inter personal skills including assertiveness and self-motivation
• Good level of numeracy and literacy
• Demonstrable experience in an environment where attention to detail is essential
• 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
• Excellent communication and people skills;
• Ability to work well in a team and under pressure
• Good listener and sensitive whilst maintaining professionalism  
• Reliable and Punctual and understands the importance of setting standards

Package Description

£22,700 per annum with Market Forces Supplement of £2,690.64 (£224.22 per month) this then increases to £23,312 after successful completion of probation with a Market Forces supplement of £3,103.92 (£258.66 per month).

40 hours per week including weekends and Bank Holidays.

This role will require you to complete a fitness test and interview at dates to be confirmed

Benefits including 28 days holiday (inclusive of bank holidays),pension, discounted health cover, subsidised gym membership, childcare voucher scheme, free meals on duty and free on-site parking.

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 5 years’ worth of references and request employment history details from the HMRC.