Receptionist

Receptionist – Birmingham Central and South

Employer: HM Prison & Probation Service (HMPPS)
Salary: £24,645 – £26,723 per annum
Location: Birmingham, West Midlands
Contract Type: Permanent
Working Pattern: Full-time
Job Reference: 490156
Vacancies: 2
Closing Date: 27 November 2026, at 11:55 pm
Visa Sponsorship: Not stated in the job advert. Applicants should check directly with the employer before applying.

About the Role

HM Prison & Probation Service is recruiting two Receptionists to support its Probation Service operations in Birmingham.

The successful candidates will provide a professional and efficient reception service, acting as the first point of contact for visitors, telephone callers and people attending probation offices.

The role also involves providing administrative and operational support, maintaining building security and helping ensure the smooth running of daily office activities.

Regular unsocial hours, including evenings and/or weekends, may be required depending on business needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Welcome visitors and people on probation professionally, both face-to-face and by telephone or email.
• Record visitors’ arrivals and departures, notify relevant staff and issue visitor passes and security fobs.
• Respond to general enquiries about probation services and local support available to people on probation.
• Recognise potential safeguarding and security risks and escalate concerns appropriately.
• Help manage office facilities, including mail, stationery, PPE, meeting rooms, hot desks and car parking bookings.
• Receive deliveries and ensure items reach the appropriate departments.
• Process bus fares, travel warrants and petty cash transactions.
• Support building security, including monitoring CCTV, testing alarms and assisting with evacuation procedures.
• Report building faults, incidents and maintenance requirements.
• Escort contractors and visitors around the building when required.
• Provide confidential administrative support, including maintaining records, updating databases, preparing correspondence, scanning and archiving documents.

Skills and Competencies

Candidates should be able to demonstrate:

• Good communication and interpersonal skills.
• Professional customer service and reception skills.
• The ability to handle enquiries calmly and appropriately.
• Good organisational and administrative abilities.
• Awareness of confidentiality, safeguarding and security procedures.
• The ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Confidence using computer systems and handling administrative records.

Behaviours Assessed

Applicants will be assessed against the following Civil Service behaviours:

• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service

Employee Benefits

Successful candidates will have access to:

• Learning and development opportunities.
• Flexible working options to support work-life balance.
• An inclusive working environment.
• Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.
• Annual leave and public holidays.
• Season Ticket Advance.

Eligibility and Security Checks

This vacancy is broadly open to eligible UK nationals, Irish nationals, qualifying Commonwealth nationals with the right to work in the UK and other applicants who meet the published Civil Service nationality requirements.

Successful candidates must undergo a standard criminal record check and Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

Application and Selection Process

The recruitment process follows the Civil Service Success Profiles framework and will assess candidates’ behaviours and strengths.

Applicants should prepare relevant examples from their own experience to demonstrate the required behaviours.

Artificial intelligence may be used to support applications, but all examples and statements must be truthful and based on the applicant’s own experience.

Application Deadline: 27 November 2026 at 11:55 pm.

Contact Information

Recruitment Team: SSCL Recruitment Enquiries Team
Email: moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk
Telephone: 0345 241 5358