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Operational Support

Operational Support Grade Jobs at HMP Humber – £30,491 Salary, No Qualifications Required

The Ministry of Justice is recruiting 6 Operational Support Grade (OSG) staff at HMP Humber in Hull, England. This prison support role offers a salary of £30,491 per year, full training, Civil Service benefits and opportunities for full-time, part-time, job-share and flexible working arrangements.

Applicants do not need formal qualifications, but they should demonstrate good judgement, responsibility, common sense and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Job Overview

  • Job Title: Operational Support Grade (Prison Support Role)
  • Employer: Ministry of Justice / HM Prison and Probation Service
  • Location: HMP Humber, Everthorpe, Hull, HU15 2JZ
  • Salary: £30,491 per year
  • Civil Service Grade: AA
  • Job Type: Full-time, part-time, job share or flexible working
  • Working Hours: Average of 37 hours per week
  • Number of Vacancies: 6
  • Job Reference: 23314
  • Closing Date: 29 October 2026 at 11:55 pm
  • Security Check: Enhanced DBS and other required security and identity checks
  • Visa Sponsorship: Not stated in the job advert

About the Operational Support Grade Role

As an Operational Support Grade employee, you will help maintain the safe and efficient running of the prison. The role involves a variety of operational duties, some of which require physical activity, including lifting and carrying items and spending extended periods standing or walking.

Depending on the needs of the establishment, you may work independently or alongside colleagues on day and night shifts. Contact with prisoners will vary according to the duties assigned.

Successful candidates will receive full training and support from the prison team.

Key Responsibilities

Your duties may include:

  • Gate and security duties: Managing the secure entry and exit of staff, visitors and vehicles, conducting authorised searches, issuing keys and radios, and escorting contractors.
  • Control room duties: Operating prison radio systems, monitoring CCTV and reporting suspicious activities.
  • Visitor services: Welcoming visitors and escorting them when required.
  • Mail and correspondence: Logging incoming mail, identifying prohibited items and preserving evidence where necessary.
  • Night duties: Checking that cell doors are secured and prisoners are accounted for.
  • Reception duties: Photographing prisoners and processing their property and parcels.
  • Prisoner support: Assisting with supervision, exchanging clothing and property, and helping prison officers escort prisoners around the site.
  • Food delivery: Delivering and collecting food trolleys, sometimes using an electric tug vehicle.
  • Driving and collection duties: Collecting mail from the local sorting office, which may involve handling heavy sacks.
  • Telephone administration: Monitoring the prison’s PIN telephone system, maintaining records and processing requests.
  • Safety and procedures: Following national and local policies and responding appropriately to incidents and emergencies.

The precise duties will depend on the operational requirements of HMP Humber.

Requirements and Qualifications

No formal qualifications are required for this position.

Candidates should demonstrate:

  • Good judgement and common sense.
  • A responsible and reliable approach to work.
  • The ability to work effectively in a team.
  • Confidence communicating in English.
  • Willingness to undertake physical tasks and work a rotating shift pattern.
  • The ability to follow security procedures and respond appropriately to incidents.

A driving licence and access to personal transport are beneficial because the prison is in a location where public transport may be limited. However, these are not essential requirements unless specifically stated.

Applicants should consider how they will travel to and from the workplace, as shift start and finish times are fixed. Accommodation is not provided.

Salary and Working Hours

The advertised annual salary is £30,491, inclusive of a 20% unsocial-hours working allowance. This figure reflects the requirement to work evenings, nights and weekends.

The average working week is 37 hours, with shifts arranged on a rolling pattern. Employees may also be required to work on bank and public holidays, depending on operational needs.

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Part-time, job-share and flexible working requests will be considered where they can be accommodated by the establishment.

Employee Benefits

Successful applicants can access a range of Civil Service and HM Prison and Probation Service benefits, including:

  • 25 days of annual leave on appointment, increasing to 30 days after 10 years of service, calculated pro rata where applicable.
  • 9 days of bank, public and privilege holidays.
  • Access to the Civil Service pension scheme.
  • Season ticket advances for eligible travel costs after two months of service.
  • Retail discounts.
  • Employee Assistance Programme.
  • Cycle to Work scheme.
  • Staff networks and opportunities for professional development.
  • Training in areas such as equality and diversity, suicide prevention, anti-bullying and dealing with challenging behaviour.
  • Opportunities to apply for promotion and further development programmes.

Annual leave and other entitlements may be adjusted according to working arrangements and individual eligibility.

Visa Sponsorship and Right to Work

Visa sponsorship is not stated in the advert for this vacancy. Applicants should not assume that Skilled Worker visa sponsorship is available.

The role is subject to Civil Service nationality requirements and the relevant right-to-work rules. The advert lists eligible groups including UK and Irish nationals, certain Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK, and qualifying EU, EEA, Swiss and other applicants who meet the specified immigration and nationality conditions.

The position must be performed in the UK and cannot be undertaken from overseas.

Candidates who require visa sponsorship should confirm their eligibility and the employer’s position before applying.

How to Apply

Applications involve the following stages:

1. Complete the application form

Submit your personal details through the official recruitment website.

2. Take the online values-based assessment

Applicants will receive instructions by email. The assessment evaluates the values and qualities needed to work effectively as an Operational Support Grade employee. It typically takes around 20 minutes when completed in one sitting, although there is no time limit.

Candidates who were unsuccessful in the online test within the previous six months may reapply and will be invited to complete the new assessment.

3. Attend an interview

Candidates who pass the first stage will be invited to an interview assessing their experience, behaviours and strengths.

The advertised behaviours include:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Managing a Quality Service
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Caring

Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

4. Merit list and job offers

This is a merit-based vacancy. Successful interview candidates will be placed on a merit list according to their scores. Offers will be made as positions become available, prioritising candidates with the highest scores.

The merit list can remain valid for 12 months. Applicants unsuccessful at the sift or interview stage will be subject to a six-month waiting period before applying for another Operational Support Grade position.

Important Information for Applicants

All external candidates are subject to six months’ probation. Appointment is also conditional on satisfactory security and identity checks.

Candidates who require reasonable adjustments for online assessments or interviews should indicate this in their application so arrangements can be made in advance.

Any examples or statements submitted as part of the application must be truthful and based on the candidate’s own experience. Applicants should follow the employer’s guidance on the use of artificial intelligence when preparing their applications.

Application Deadline

The closing date is 29 October 2026 at 11:55 pm. Interested applicants should review the full advert and eligibility requirements before submitting their applications.

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