How to Apply to be a Prison Officer within SPS

SELECTION PROCESS

Due to substantial interest in 2011 the recruitment process for Prison Officers is currently closed. When it re-opens it will be advertised in the Latest Vacancies section of our website.

The Prison Officer selection process is administered over a period of time therefore any application may take a number of months to complete.

STAGE 1 - APPLICATIONS

We will fully consider each application to confirm an applicant meets the following criteria:

• Application form fully completed
• Qualifications (5 standard grades passes 1,2,3 or equivalent) and/or Evidence of people facing experience
• Convictions compliance with the SPS Criminal Convictions Policy
• Nationality compliance with Civil Service guidelines
• Clear evidence of relevant skills required for the role
• 18 years of age, or above, on application

All candidates who successfully achieve the required standard will be invited to attend an Assessment Centre.

The Scottish Prison Service looks for staff with integrity, openness and honesty to fulfil the important role of a Prison Officer. We expect applicants to provide honest answers to all questions asked. Failure to complete the application fully or provide accurate information at any stage of the recruitment process, may result in automatic rejection of an application at any stage of the recruitment process, or non-confirmation of employment if applicable, or dismissal if employment has commenced.

STAGE 2 - ASSESSMENT CENTRE

The Assessment Centre will consist of:

• Psychometric Testing - numerical and verbal reasoning (practice book will be provided at time of invite)
• Formal Interview
• Collection of: Disclosure Scotland Application, Health Declaration and ID (documents issued with invitation to the Assessment Centre)
• Fitness Test

STAGE 3 -PRE-EMPLOYMENT CHECKS

All candidates who successfully pass the Assessment Centre will move to this stage. Checks consist of:

• Character/ previous employer references. Current employer reference (only taken up when moving toward assignment)
• Relevant Education Certificate verification (if applicable)
• Disclosure Scotland, criminal record check
• Pre-employment medical; location either Rosyth or Hamilton Medical Criteria
• Nationality/employment eligibility status and verification (if applicable)

STAGE 4 -ASSIGNMENT

Those candidates who successfully pass pre-employment checks will then be placed on a banked list awaiting suitable assignment. These assignments take place periodically and are dependent on SPS operational requirements.

 

For information, SPS is a non-smoking environment and staff are not permitted to smoke within the boundary of an Establishment, Central Stores, SPS College or Headquarters. This in line with legislation (Smoking, Health and Social Care Act (Scotland) 2005) regarding smoking in public places being illegal. This will help SPS to move further towards improving and promoting employee wellbeing and enabling a healthier workforce. Additionally, it should be noted that there will be shift patterns in establishments (eg night shift) that are over ten hours duration with no opportunities for staff to have a smoking break.