Probation Service Job Description (JD)
PS Band 5
Directorate: Probation Service
Job Description: Unpaid Work Operations Manager
Document Ref.
PS-JES-0099 Unpaid Work Operations Manager v2.0
Document Type
Management
Version
2.0
Classification
Official
Date of Issue
9 December 2021
Status
Baselined
Produced by
Job Evaluation Assurance and Support Team
Authorised by
Reward Team
JD Evidence
PS-JES-0099 Unpaid Work Operations Manager v2.0
PS Job Description
Job Title
Unpaid Work Operations Manager
Directorate
Probation Service
Band
5
Overview of the
To implement and manage the strategic direction for Unpaid Work (UPW), ensuring that
job
contract requirements are delivered efficiently and in compliance with specified standards
and quality to support the overall objective to reduce reoffending.
This role will be regionally based reporting directly to the Head of Unpaid Work for their
region. They will have direct line management responsibility for a mobile and dispersed
team working across the region.
Occasional out of hours working will be required on an on-call duty rota to ensure that lone
working staff have access to management support.
Summary
To ensure the requirements of the court are delivered through the assessment and planning
of a diverse range of purposeful work placements, which meet health and safety
requirements and ensure maximised accessibility that meets the diverse needs of people on
probation.
To work in partnership with other agencies and local stakeholders to ensure the quality
delivery and performance of unpaid work services meet contractual targets and the
achievements of good outcomes for people on probation to enable them to make suitable
reparation to their communities.
Overall management of the UPW team to achieve a high standard of service delivery,
working efficiently whilst creating a safe working environment for staff and people on
probation.
Responsibilities,
The UPW Operations Manager may be required to undertake any combination, or all, of the
Activities &
duties and responsibilities set out below.
Duties
• To provide effective management and leadership to the team and be accountable for
the quality delivery of good practice and team performance.
• To be accountable for the safe and effective delivery of the court order and all associated
risks including reputational, organisational, public and staff safety.
• To be accountable for the statutory link with risk management multi-agency forums.
• Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders to maximise awareness of
Unpaid Work, for example with court report writers, sentencers and partnership agencies.
• Engage with a range of community partners including the office of the PCC, local
authority forums and community safety partnerships to promote the service, negotiate
partnership agreements and to generate opportunities for new placements benefiting
the local communities.
• To provide management oversight regarding the suitability of offenders for community
payback including the placement of high risk offenders and those with specific risk or other
needs.
• To recruit and proactively manage staff development, performance, attendance
management, employee relations and diversity matters in line with HR polices.
• Oversee the development and assessment of suitable projects and provide a leading role
and direction in work with partners and key stakeholders, and represent the Probation
Service as appropriate to the role.
• To be accountable for asset and fleet management and equipment, and ensuring the most
efficient means of service delivery by aligning resources to demand in a cost effect way
whilst achieving the organisation’s strategic aims.
PS-JES-0099 Unpaid Work Operations Manager v2.0
• To work with the regional Health and Safety Advisor and Health and Safety Committee and
union colleagues to ensure that working practices meet statutory requirements and to
investigate any Health and Safety or Information Assurance breaches and introduce
necessary improvements.
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.
Behaviours
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
Strengths
It is advised strengths are chosen locally, recommended 4-8
Essential
• Experience of managing staff working with challenging people in a practical work
Experience
environment.
• Understanding of the role of the Probation Service in the Criminal Justice System and in a
multi-disciplinary setting.
• Knowledge and understanding of the issues faced by victims of crime.
• Experience of risk management and assessment - understanding of multiagency risk
assessment and management procedures.
• Experience of working under pressure and fulfilling demanding deadlines.
• Experience of working flexibly as a member of a team to achieve performance targets.
• Demonstrable achievements in managing/supporting change and effecting improvements
in quality and efficiency.
• Well-developed IT skills, including evidence of ability to interpret and apply performance
reports.
• Experience of proactively championing diversity and inclusiveness both internally and
externally.
• Management of Health and Safety policies and procedures and a working knowledge of
Health and Safety legislation.
• Experience of effective administration and information systems.
Technical
• Level 3 Institution of Occupational Safety and Health or equivalent qualification (or ability
requirements
to achieve this within 6 months of appointment).
• D1 Category Driving Licence.
Ability
• An ability to fulfil all spoken aspects of the role with confidence through the medium of
English or (where specified in Wales) Welsh.
Minimum
• All candidates are subject to security and identity checks prior to taking up post.
Eligibility
• All external candidates are subject to 6 months’ probation. Internal candidates are
subject to probation if they have not already served a probationary period within HMPPS.
• All staff are required to declare whether they are a member of a group or organisation
which HMPPS consider to be racist.
Hours of Work
Leave Blank
(Unsocial Hours)
Allowances
To be used by the JES Team only
PS-JES-0099 Unpaid Work Operations Manager v2.0
Success Profile
Strengths
It is advised strengths are
Behaviours
Ability
Experience
Technical
chosen locally,
recommended 4-8
Working Together
An ability to fulfil all spoken
Experience of managing staff working
Level 3 Institution of Occupational
aspects of the role with
with challenging people in a practical
Safety and Health or equivalent
confidence through the
work environment
qualification (or ability to achieve
medium of English or (where
this within 6 months of
specified in Wales) Welsh.
appointment).
Developing Self and Others
Understanding of the role of the
D1 Category Driving Licence.
Probation Service in the Criminal Justice
System and in a multi-disciplinary
setting.
Delivering at Pace
Knowledge and understanding of the
issues faced by victims of crime
Managing a Quality Service
Experience of risk management and
assessment- understanding of
multiagency risk assessment and
management procedures
Making Effective Decisions
Experience of working under pressure
and fulfilling demanding deadlines
Communicating and Influencing
Experience of working flexibly as a
member of a team to achieve
performance targets
Leadership
Demonstrable achievements in
managing/supporting change and
effecting improvements in quality and
efficiency
Well-developed IT skills, including
evidence of ability to interpret and apply
performance reports
Experience of proactively championing
diversity and inclusiveness both
internally and externally
Management of health and safety
policies and procedures and a Working
knowledge of Health & Safety legislation
Experience of effective administration
and information systems