Description
Prison Library Assistant – HMP/YOI Chelmsford
Fixed Term, Part Time
£23,344 to £26,011 per annum (full time equivalent)
Location: Chelmsford
Working Style: Fixed-base worker
HM Prison and Young Offenders Institution (YOI) Chelmsford is a Category B
facility in Chelmsford, Essex. It houses adult male prisoners and young
offenders, mainly serving the local courts. The prison offers a range of
educational and rehabilitation programs, such as literacy, numeracy, and
vocational training, all designed to support rehabilitation and reduce
reoffending.
We are currently recruiting a part time Prison Library Assistant to support
the delivery of a prison library service within the unique environment of
HMP/YOI Chelmsford. This role involves working closely with prisoners,
understanding their unique needs, and fostering a positive reading culture
within the prison.
As part of a dynamic team, the Prison Library Assistant will handle
library, administrative, and support activities, proactively managing their
workload and using personal judgement to resolve issues. The successful
candidate will demonstrate empathy, strong personal integrity, and
diligence, and will be committed to providing excellent customer service.
You will play a crucial role in encouraging prisoners to engage with
reading, which can be a vital part of their rehabilitation.
This is a fixed term contract / secondment opportunity for 12 months. The
role is a part time working 16 hours per week, Wednesday and Thursday 8am
to 5pm, the pro rata salary will be between £10,095 to £11,248 per annum.
If successful you will need to attend training for one week (Monday to
Friday).
Accountabilities
-
Support the Prison Library Supervisor to deliver a library service
to HMP/YOI as laid out in the Service Level Agreement, together
with added value activities such as Storybook Dads, Reading Ahead
and Family Library Times, which support improved literacy, health
and wellbeing and family cohesion. -
Provide effective, high-quality support, advice, and guidance to
Prisoner Orderlies on basic library procedures. -
Responsible for dealing with subject knowledge-based queries and
activities. -
Work collaboratively with colleagues, to drive the delivery of
productivity and continuous improvement across customer processes. -
Work collaboratively with colleagues to understand customer needs,
resolving them promptly and providing them with a service they
value. -
Collate relevant information from a variety of sources to ensure
that complex enquiries or customer complaints can be resolved in a
timely fashion.
What’s in it for you?
- Wide range of learning and development opportunities
- 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + choice to buy extra
- Generous Local Government Salary related pension scheme
- Access to hundreds of discounts and benefits through Essex Rewards
-
Access to our health and wellbeing support platform with Vita
Health Group - Up to 4 days per annum volunteering leave
- Cycle to Work Scheme
The Experience You Will Bring
Essential
-
Confident, assertive, and emotionally resilient, whilst
maintaining empathy for the library customers who may have complex
needs including poor mental health, low levels of literacy and
challenging behaviour. -
Previous experience of operating electronic or hard copy filing
systems -
Demonstrable experience and competence of MS Office and their
practical application, with the ability to use computerised
systems with a high level of speed and accuracy. -
Ability to undertake all the aspects of the role, including
distribution of library books across all wings and floors. The
prison is a Victorian building and there are a number of steps and
heavy doors, with no lifts.
Desirable
- Experience of working with offenders.
-
Library experience is desirable although not essential as full
training will be given.
Please note all offers are subject to the completion of Essex County
Council compliance and HMP Prison compliance.
To read more about us please visit:
Climate, Environment and Customer Services
Interviews
First stage interviews will be conducted face to face at HMP Chelmsford
Prison on 28 th November. If successful, the second stage
interview will take place on Tuesday 3rd December and will involve a tour
of the prison. Entry to the prison will involve adhering to strict security
procedures, you will be require to bring photo ID to ensure entry.
Why Essex?
Essex County Council has a location to be proud of. Our 1,300 square miles
stretch from Constable Country to the Thames Estuary, from the dynamic M11
corridor to the traditional seaside resorts of Clacton and Walton.
England’s oldest town, Colchester, and two of its newest – Basildon and
Harlow – are right here. Along with the City of Chelmsford, the county
town, they form our major population centres. It means real choice and
makes Essex the ideal place for your career. Read more about us
here.
Essex County Council is proud to be a Disability Confident Leader. We’re
committed to interview all disabled applicants who choose to apply under
our Job Interview Scheme if they meet the minimum requirements of the job.
Please speak to our Recruiters if you require any reasonable adjustments
during the process.
We’re also committed to interview all veterans and care leavers, who meet
the minimum requirements of the role for which they are applying.
As part of employment with Essex County Council (ECC) should your role
require a DBS check you will be required to register with the DBS update
service. The DBS update service ensures all registered DBS certificates
are kept up to date and allows authorised parties to view the status of
your certificate. This is an annual subscription, and you will be
responsible for ensuring this is maintained. For further information on
the DBS update service please go to
https://www.gov.uk/dbs-update-service
Essex County Council is committed to safeguarding and promoting the
welfare of children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees and
volunteers to share this commitment.
If you would like to be kept up to date on other relevant opportunities,
blogs, news, events and industry related news at Essex County Council,
register
here
to be part of our new Essex Talent Community.
If you have queries on this role or require anything further, please email
Frances.Osborn@justice.gov.uk
or
Resourcing.Team@essex.gov.uk
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