Probation Service Officer – Public Protection
Ministry of Justice (MoJ) / Probation Service
The Ministry of Justice is recruiting 11 Probation Service Officers (PSOs) to work in Public Protection across Kent, Surrey & Sussex.
This permanent opportunity is suitable for people who are empathetic, patient, organised and resilient, with an interest in supporting people on probation while helping protect the public.
Job Details
- Salary: £28,064 – £33,549 per year, pro rata for part-time roles
- Contract: Permanent
- Hours: 37 hours per week for full-time roles
- Working pattern: Full-time, part-time and flexible working
- Locations: Arundel, Ashford (Surrey), Lewes, Maidstone, Rochester, Sheerness and Woking
- Region: Kent, Surrey & Sussex
- Vacancies: 11
- Closing date: 16 October 2026
- Job reference: 22777
- Reserve list: Up to 12 months
- Prison allowance: £781 may be applicable
New entrants are normally appointed at the minimum of the advertised pay band, with opportunities for annual pay progression where eligible.
Important: Skilled Worker Sponsorship
This vacancy is NOT eligible for a new Skilled Worker visa.
HMPPS states that it cannot consider sponsoring applicants for this Probation Service Officer role unless they held a Skilled Worker visa before the immigration rule changes on 22 July 2025.
Applicants who have continuously held a Skilled Worker visa may have their eligibility assessed under the relevant transitional provisions.
You must otherwise already have the legal right to work in the UK and in the Civil Service.
If you are outside the UK and require new Skilled Worker sponsorship, this vacancy is not suitable for you.
About the Role
As a Probation Service Officer, you will work with people on probation before and after sentence.
The role can involve:
- Assessing and managing risk
- Supporting offender management
- Implementing sentences
- Preparing reports and providing information to courts
- Managing a caseload
- Working with agencies across the justice system
- Supporting people with issues such as housing and employment
- Providing practical support and guidance
- Helping people make positive changes in their lives
PSOs work with a range of people on probation, particularly those assessed as medium or lower risk.
Where You Could Work
Depending on business requirements, positions may be available across different parts of the Probation Service, including:
- Courts
- Prisons
- Probation Delivery Units
- Public Protection
- Integrated Offender Management
- Accredited Programmes
- Structured Interventions
- Community Accommodation Services
- Community Payback / Unpaid Work
- Service Centres
- Performance & Quality
- Community Integration and Contracts
Successful applicants may therefore be allocated to different office, court, prison or team locations.
About You
A degree is not required for this role.
The Probation Service is particularly interested in applicants who can demonstrate qualities such as:
- Empathy
- Patience
- Resilience
- Organisation
- Good communication
- The ability to work with people experiencing social or personal difficulties
- Strong written communication skills
- The ability to produce clear and accurate reports to deadlines
The role also provides on-the-job training and opportunities for professional development.
Working Arrangements
The standard full-time working week is 37 hours, excluding unpaid breaks, with working hours starting from 9am.
Part-time, flexible and job-sharing arrangements may be considered where they meet business and operational requirements.
The MoJ also offers hybrid working where the role and business needs allow. Hybrid working is informal, non-contractual and may involve working from a base location, other MoJ sites and/or home.
This role can only be performed within the UK and not overseas.
Recruitment Process
Applicants will complete a short application form containing Civil Service Behaviours and Experience-based questions.
The application process also includes the Civil Service Judgement Test (CSJT).
The CSJT is an initial stage of the recruitment process and includes a practice test before the assessment.
The application will assess:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Developing Self and Others
- Making Effective Decisions
- Relevant experience
Application questions have a 250-word limit.
Candidates who pass the initial assessment will progress to the next stages after the application deadline. Where application numbers are high, candidates may be assessed in stages.
Training and Development
The Probation Service provides training and development opportunities to help staff build their skills and progress within the organisation.
Some PSO positions may also require completion of an apprenticeship as part of the required learning and development. Applicants will be advised if this applies to their position.
Benefits
Benefits include:
- 25 days’ annual leave on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service
- Public holidays
- Pension arrangements
- Training and development opportunities
- Family-friendly policies
- Flexible working options where applicable
- Job-sharing opportunities
- Voluntary benefits and retail discounts
- Employee networks
- Free annual eye tests for employees using computer screens
Part-time and job-share leave entitlement is calculated on a pro-rata basis.
Right to Work and Eligibility
Applicants must have the legal right to work in the UK and meet the relevant Civil Service nationality requirements.
The vacancy is broadly open to eligible:
- UK nationals
- Irish nationals
- Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK
- Eligible EU, Swiss, Norwegian, Icelandic and Liechtenstein nationals and qualifying family members
- Certain individuals with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme
- Certain Turkish nationals and qualifying family members
- Other individuals meeting the Civil Service nationality rules
All successful candidates are subject to security and identity checks.
Location and Reserve List
Applicants can indicate their preferred locations and should only select locations where they are prepared to work.
Appointments are made in merit order according to location preferences and business requirements.
A locational reserve list may be maintained for up to 12 months.
The advertised addresses are not an exhaustive list of potential base locations. The MoJ will endeavour to offer a vacancy within a 60-minute commute of the applicant’s home location, where possible.
Closing Date
16 October 2026
How to Apply
Applications are made through the official Civil Service recruitment process.
Applicants should carefully review the eligibility requirements, particularly the right-to-work and Skilled Worker visa restrictions, before applying.
Job reference: 22777
Employer: Ministry of Justice / Probation Service
Vacancies: 11