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General Information

Salary
£33,275
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Lewes
Region
Kent, Surrey & Sussex
Closing Date
26-Jan-2026
Business Unit
Lewes
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
EO
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
13219

Descriptions & requirements

Job description

We have a permanent vacancy for an Operational Prison Offender Manager (POM), in the Offender Management Unit at HMP Lewes. The role involves contributing to and leading the management and assessment of selected low to medium risk prisoners. This includes preparing, implementing, reviewing and evaluating sentence plans with prisoners. The job holder will build effective, appropriate and supportive relationships with prisoners, with the aim of reducing re-offending.

The job holder will act in a supportive role only to probation officers in the case management of medium to high risk prisoners, including release planning. The role offers ongoing and additional training to carry out this specialist delivery job as a Prison Offender Manager to prisoners. This is an operational job with no line management responsibilities but with supervisory responsibilities when required.

Will have regular prisoner facing activities/duties.

Typical tasks associated with this role include:

  • Supervise, manage and control prisoners decently, safely and securely whilst carrying out all activities.
  • Understand, apply and conform to national and local polices.
  • Establish, develop and maintain professional relationships with prisoners and staff.
  • Maintain and update systems in line with local agreements.
  • Prepare relevant documentation to managers for verification/quality checking purposes.
  • Attend and contribute to relevant meetings as required.
  • Exercise the powers of a Constable.
  • Conduct searches on prisoners, staff and visitors as required.
  • Undertakes ‘first on scene’ incident response.

To assess and manage the risk posed by offenders to protect victims of crime and the general public by:

  • Providing information and advice to other criminal justice agencies and partner organisations.
  • Supervise offenders during custodial sentences.
  • Contribute to the management of risk.
  • Work with other agencies and groups to prevent reoffending and meet the needs of victims and offenders.

Essential Skills

  • Ability to analyse complex information in order to make assessments and decisions.
  • Ability to communicate clearly verbally and in writing with offenders, professionals, and at hearings such as Parole Boards.
  • Ability to empathise constructively with people from diverse backgrounds.
  • Experience of working with a diverse range of people who have experienced a range of social/personal difficulties, and of using tact and discretion when dealing with confidential and sensitive issues.
  • Understanding of factors related to offending, e.g. substance misuse, accommodation issues.
  • Understanding of and commitment to the principles of case management.
  • Knowledge and understanding of risk management/risk assessment pertaining to offenders and the impact on victims of crime.
  • Experience in planning and coordinating work.
  • Experience of working with groups or individuals in order to motivate and change behaviour.
  • Experience of working with diverse communities including promoting equality and valuing diversity.
  • Knowledge and understanding of the work of the criminal justice system.
  • Experience of working with people who have committed offences.
  • Have received Women Awareness Staff Training (WASP) if working in a female establishment.
  • Have received Juvenile Awareness Staff Programme (JASP) and child protection training if working in a Juvenile establishment.
  • A working knowledge of relevant legislation and National Standards.
  • Knowledge of Evidence Based Practice and risk/needs assessment tools.
  • The ability to complete all mandatory training as required to support the job role.
  • An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh

Desirable

  • Higher level academic qualification(s).

Eligibility

To be eligible, officers will have successfully completed Prison Officer Entry Level Training (POELT) and completed their probationary period as a prison officer as well as achieved a Level 3 qualification in the Management and Care of Individuals in the Custodial Environment (or equivalent i.e. CCNVQ) or will have been in post prior to 2007.

Will be competent in custodial procedures, including dynamic risk assessment and must be trained and annually refreshed in control and restraint techniques.

Staff working in establishments who were mapped to a Band 4 Supervising Officer or Facilities and Services Supervisor role as part of the F&S restructuring process and staff who have re-graded to Band 4 from a higher grade are not required to complete the qualification as they have previously worked at an equivalent level (or higher).

You can discuss this case prior to application with Chris Shaw ( HOMD) at chris.shaw2@justice.gov.uk  or on 01273 785323

Additional Information

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 - 13219

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
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Developing Self and Others

Interview stage assessments

Interview Dates
Likely to be between 9.2.2026 and 13.2.2026
Behaviours
Making Effective Decisions
Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Strengths
Strengths will be assessed but these are not shared in advance. To learn more about Strengths and how they are assessed please click here.
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.