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General Information

Salary
£33,275
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
Internal
Location
Doncaster, Oxford
Region
South East, Yorkshire and the Humber
Closing Date
28-Nov-2025
Business Unit
Security Group
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
EO
Number of jobs available
3
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
11881

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

Overview of the job    

The post holder is required to assist the Head of The National Dog and Technical Support Group in deploying to incidents. To provide technical and tactical support and advice to Silver and Gold Commanders as required.

This is an operational role.

Summary         

The post holder is required to respond to operational incidents across HMPPS and contracted out prison estate and will be on call 24/7 on a rotational basis to meet this requirement.  They will also be expected to deploy to any incident as directed by the Intelligence Operations Unit and to assist the Head of NDTSG in the oversight of the effective delivery of Dog and Technical Support Services for the organisation. To assist in the achievement of Prison Service Objectives in the National Dog and Technical Support Group.

The post holder will be based at either ORRU Hatfield or Kidlington training centre and report to NDTSG Response Manager. Travel from home to permanent base is at own expense in own time.


Responsibilities, Activities and Duties           

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

•             At all times uphold and comply with the vision and aims of HMPPS and Directorate of Security.

•             Ensure that the management of the environment includes due respect for the use of energy, the recycling of suitable products and the minimising of waste material.

•             To take reasonable care of your own health and safety and that of others who may be affected by what you do or do not do; co-operate with your employer on health and safety and not interfering with or misusing anything provided for your health, safety or welfare. Comply at all times with the needs of Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, COSHH and Domestic Cleaning Standards.

•             To self-manage workload in a timely and consistent way, recognising boundaries, roles, responsibilities and always representing NDTSG in a professional and appropriate manner.

•             To attend all national (internal and external) and local meetings as required.

•             To organise, lead or take part in any search for firearms or explosives as required, with or without the use of dogs or technical equipment as per safe operating procedures and health and safety guidelines. This includes searching at height and in confined spaces.

•             To organise, lead or take part in a Technical Support Unit response as required. To act as Technical Support adviser to Incident commanders as required.

•             To organise, lead or take part in any support required to C&R units as directed by National Incident Management Unit.

•             To organise, lead or take part in any support required by NTRG and National C&R units as required. This to include any technical support, working at height support, pyrotechnic deployment and confined spaces support.

•             To act up to the higher grade as required.

•             Maintain the health, welfare, security and training of dogs reporting any loss, injury or problems as necessary as per HMPPS Dog policy framework and HMPPS supplementary guidance and health and safety guidelines.

•             To attend training as required in all aspects of group work, improving and maintaining skill levels in control, search, working at height, confined spaces and TSU tasks.

•             To be responsible for the maintenance for any vehicle or equipment issued by the group. Report all defects or damage as necessary.

•             To ensure all evidence obtained is recorded as per PACE, RIPA and NDTSG protocols.

•             To remain mobile and contactable during periods of ‘on call’ as directed.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Civil Service Success Profile Criteria

Behaviours       

•             Managing a Quality Service

•             Delivering at Pace

•             Working Together

•             Communicating and Influencing

Experience      

•             Candidates must have completed the HMPPS probationary period as a B3 Operational Prison Officer.

•             Must be able to manage a wide range of assets in both the training and operational setting.


Technical Requirements          

•             Undergo and pass the advanced fitness test in line with the HMPPS fitness testing policy.

•             Ability to work towards and pass level 3 Driver Response training.

•             Ability to work towards and pass the NTRG Working at Height Course.

•             Work towards and pass the Advanced Tornado dog and EDD/FDD/Search Dog Handler accreditations issued by the National Prison Dog Inspectorate (NDTSG).

•             Must hold a full, clean UK driving licence.

•             Have a secure garden sufficient in size to hold at least a 2.47 metre Sq. (9ft x 9ft)  Dog Kennel per dog.


Ability 

•             Your ability and potential to perform to the required standard will be assessed during application and an interview.

•             Ability to work towards and becoming an accredited dog handler, to provide establishment support.

•             Must be self-motivated to plan work around operations, training  and a range of services that we offer establishments.

•             Must be able to work as a proactive team member working closely with peers to provide an excellent service to all of our stakeholders.

•             You can communicate in a way that promotes the professional standards within the team, building relationships both internally and externally to HMPPS.

Hours of Work (Unsocial Hours) Allowances               

37 hour working week (standard).

HMPPS staff on closed pay structures only: Additional Conditioned Hours Pensionable (ACHP)

Staff moving from a closed 39 hour pay structure will be eligible for the two protected pensionable additional committed hours (ACHP). They will work a 39 hour week consisting of the standard 37 hour week and a further 2 additional hours (ACHP) paid at plain time pensionable rate.

Unsocial Hours Working:

This role requires working regular unsocial hours and a payment at the current approved organisation rate will be paid in

addition to your basic pay to recognise this. Unsocial hours are those hours outside 0700 - 1900hrs Monday to Friday and include working evenings, nights, weekends and Bank/Public holidays.


Additional Information

**Applicants to indicate their preferred base location in the first word of first behaviour response.**

Applicants to note travel from home to working base is at own expense.

Working Arrangements & Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements where business need allows. This is an informal, non-contractual form of flexible working that blends working from your base location, different MoJ sites and / or from home (please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas). Some roles will not be suitable for Hybrid Working. Similarly, Hybrid Working will not suit everyone’s circumstances. Arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

For nationally advertised roles, the successful candidate(s) will be appointed to a MoJ office location, which may include their nearest Justice Collaboration Centre or Justice Satellite Office. This will be discussed and agreed on the completion of pre-employment checks.

Some of MoJ’s terms and conditions of service are changing as part of Civil Service reform. The changes will apply to staff joining MoJ who are new to the Civil Service. Staff joining MoJ from other civil service employers will transfer onto the new MoJ terms if they are already on 'modernised' terms in their current post or onto 'unmodernised' MoJ terms if they are on 'unmodernised' terms at their current post. Details will be available if an offer is made.

Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week excluding breaks which are unpaid. HMPPS welcomes part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. All applications for part-time, flexible and job-sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the HMPPS’ Flexible Working policy.

If you are a current NPS employee, this vacancy may be available on a Loan basis for up to 2 years. Applications are invited from suitable qualified staff.

The Loan/Secondment is subject to the approval of the selected candidate's Business Unit, which should be obtained before confirmation of appointment.

Benefits

Annual Leave

-The holiday year runs from 1 March. If you work a non standard work pattern your leave entitlement may be expressed in either hours or days as appropriate. Leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis and you will be advised of your actual entitlement on appointment. If you were appointed internally and your leave was previously calculated in days, this will continue to be the case.

Bank, Public and Privilege Holidays

-You are entitled to 9 days (66 hours 36 minutes) in recognition of bank, public and privilege holidays. These hours are added to your annual leave allowance. There is a requirement to work some public and bank holidays subject to your shift pattern and the operational needs of the establishment

Pension

-The Civil Service offers a choice of two pension schemes, giving you the flexibility to choose the pension that suits you best.

Work Life Balance

HM Prison & Probation Service  (HMPPS) is keen to encourage alternative working arrangements. Work life balance provides greater opportunities for staff to work more flexibly wherever managers and establishments can accommodate requests to do so. HMPPS offers flexible working subject to completion of a satisfactory probationary period and NVQ

Season Ticket Advance

-After two months’ service, you’ll be eligible to apply for a season ticket advance to purchase a quarterly or longer-period season ticket for travel between home and your place of work

Childcare Vouchers

For any moves across the Civil Service may have implications on your ability to carry on claiming childcare vouchers

Training

HMPPS is committed to staff development and offers a range of training and development opportunities, including areas such as Equality and Diversity, Dealing with Challenging Behaviour, Suicide Prevention and Anti Bullying Programmes

-There are opportunities to access promotion programmes and HMPPS provides a variety of training appropriate to individual posts

-All staff receive security and diversity training and an individual induction programme into their new roles

Eligibility

-All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

-All external candidates are subject to 6 months probation. Internal candidates are subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS

-All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation which the HMPPS considers to be racist

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

As a Disability Confident employer, MoJ are committed to providing everyone with the opportunity to demonstrate their skills, talent and abilities, by making adjustments throughout all elements of the recruitment process and in the workplace. MoJ are able to offer an interview to disabled candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns.

You will be able to request reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process within the application form. If you need additional help completing the application form, please contact the TBS Recruitment Enquiries Team.

For more information on applying for a role as a candidate with a disability or long-term condition, please watch our animated videos.

Diversity & Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

A Great Place to Work for Veterans

The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative includes a guaranteed interview scheme to those who meet the minimum criteria to provide eligible former members of the Armed Forces with opportunities to secure rewarding jobs. Allowing veterans to continue to serve their country, and to bring highly skilled individuals with a broad range of experience into the Civil Service in an environment, which recognises and values your previous service in the Armed Forces.
For further details about the initiative and eligibility requirements visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/making-the-civil-service-a-great-place-to-work-for-veterans

Redeployment Interview Scheme

Civil Service departments are expected to explore redeployment opportunities before making an individual redundant. The MoJ is committed, as part of the Redeployment Interview Scheme, to providing opportunities to those who are 'at risk of redundancy'.

MoJ is able to offer an interview to eligible candidates who meet the minimum selection criteria, except in a limited number of campaigns. Candidates will not be eligible for the Redeployment Interview Scheme if they are applying on promotion.

Civil Service Nationality Rules

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/settled-status-eu-citizens-families
  • nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
  • Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules

Reserve list

A reserve list may be held for up to 12 months from which further appointments may be made for the same or similar roles.

Contact Information
 

MoJ:

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5359 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference

HMPPS

If you require any assistance please call 0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am - 6pm) or e mail moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Please quote the job reference 11881

Application form stage assessments

Behaviours
A sift based on the lead behaviour, Working Together, may be held if a large number of applications are received. If a large number of applications remain after the initial sift, your application will be progressed to a full sift, where all behaviours will then be considered.
Behaviours Application Form Question Word Limit
250
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
In person interviews - TBC
Behaviours
Communicating and Influencing
Delivering at Pace
Managing a Quality Service
Working Together
Level of security checks required
DBS Standard

Use of Artificial Intelligence (Al)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.  Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.