via indeed · 27 May 2026 ·10 days ago

Receptionist - Swindon - Full Time - Permanent

HM Prison and Probation Service
Swindon Full-time
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General Information

Salary
£24,645 \- £26,723
Working Pattern
Full Time
Vacancy Approach
External
Location
Swindon
Region
South West
Closing Date
09\-Jun\-2026
Business Unit
PDU Swindon and Wiltshire (2021\)
Post Type
Permanent
Civil Service Grade
Other
Number of jobs available
1
Reserve List
12 Months
Job ID
17905

Descriptions \& requirements

Job description
Overview of the job

This is an administrative role based within the Probation Service (PS) Directorate in HMPPS. The job holder reports to the designated Line Manager and supports the provision of business specific and transactional office\-based activities.

The job holder works collaboratively with other team members to provide reception duties and a range of administrative support services.

The job holder may be expected to support a number of teams/functions within the operational area and is to offer support and cover during periods of absence, for which training will be provided.

The job holder must promote diversity and anti\-discriminatory practice in the performance of the post in a way that embraces Equality and values Diversity.

The post holder must ad to all policies in respect of the sensitive/confidential nature of the information handled whilst working in this position.

NB: Core Hours include regular unsocial hours (evenings and/or weekends) as determined by the business need.

Summary

To provide an effective and efficient first point of contact with all visitors, telephone callers and undertake administrative functions in accordance with service policy and procedures.

Responsibilities, Activities \& Duties

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

  • To be first point of contact for Probation Service and greet people on probation and visitors professionally both face to face and via telephone and email, logging their arrival and departure, ensuring the appropriate member of staff is notified and issue visitor passes and security fobs as necessary.
Through observation and situational awareness to use tact and diplomacy to diffuse potentially violent situations and recognising w* additional support is required, be that internal management or external security/policing presence, and to be alert to conversations that might indicate a safeguarding/risk issue and take appropriate remedial action such as emailing the Probation Practitioner and updating Delius.
  • Answer all enquiries, while on Reception, relating to basic information about the Probation Service and local Person on Probation support services such as the provision of food banks, referring more technical enquiries to an appropriate manager.

  • To deal with all logistics for a building including managing all mail items, ordering PPE and office stationery, meeting room equipment, taking delivery of items and ensuring they get to the right destination and managing room, hot desk and car parking bookings, support and service meeting rooms including preparing for events and event registration as required.

  • To pay bus fares/travel warrants to people on probation and handle day to day petty cash including collection and transport of petty cash and travel warrants between Probation properties.
To assist in maintaining Health and Safety and security aspects of the building, including acting as key holder, operating the physical security of the building, the testing of fire alarms, testing panic alarms, monitoring CCTV and assisting evacuation measures and w necessary to act as Fire Warden/First Aider and in the absence of a line manager to support risk assessments w* trained.
  • To log building faults and incidents and keep a log of maintenance and repairs escalating issues through the appropriate channels and making decisions (within guidelines) on the urgency of the faults in order to maintain the security of the building. In the absence of the Senior Admin Officer escorting contractors and visitors around the building.
W necessity arises to support the case administration of Person on Probation by providing a confidential and high\-level administrative support service to operational teams, to include:
  • * Process and update computer based and manual files and filing systems

  • Use a range of computer software in providing comprehensive administration support

  • Produce a range of documentation and correspondence

  • To access databases for information as necessary and input information as required

  • Scanning and archiving data, some of which is sensitive and highly confidential
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Significant adjustments may require re\-examination under the Job Evaluation Scheme and shall be discussed in the first instance with the job holder.

Additional Information
Please make sure that you are using the STAR method when answering the interview questions.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the lead behaviour (Managing a Quality Service). Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to full sift, or progress straight to interview.

A work history detailing your career history. Work history will be assessed against the essential and desirable criteria outlined in the job description

The STAR method is a structured approach to answering interview questions by outlining the Situation, Task, Action, and Result of your experiences. Working Arrangements \& Further Information

The MoJ offers Hybrid Working arrangements w 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, w 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.

Benefits

The MoJ offers a range of benefits:

Annual Leave

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment and will increase to 30 days after five years’ service, plus public holidays. Leave for part\-time and job share posts will be calculated on a pro\-rata basis

Pension

The National Probation Service is covered by the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) run through the Greater Manchester Pension Fund (GMPF). Please visit www.gmpf.org.uk for further information.

Please note: Any current Civil Servant who is a member of the PCSPS, by accepting an offer of employment to the National Probation Services will be opted out of the PCSPS and auto enrolled into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Training

The Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development and offers an extensive range of training and development opportunities.

Networks

The opportunity to join employee\-run networks that have been established to provide advice and support and to enable the views of employees from minority groups to be expressed direct to senior management. T are currently networks for employees of minority ethnic origin, employees with disabilities, employees with caring responsibilities, women employees, and lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender.

Eligibility

All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post

Support

  • A range of ‘Family Friendly’ policies such as opportunities to work reduced hours or job share.

  • Access to flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.

  • For moves to or from another employer or moves across the Civil Service this can have implications on your eligibility to carry on claiming childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for alternative government childcare support schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. More information can be found on www.GOV.UK or Childcare Choices. You can determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

  • Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.

  • Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.
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

  • To Transformative Business Services (0345 241 5358 (Monday to Friday 8am \- 6pm) or e mail moj\-recruitment\-

The market for this type of role

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