About the job

Job summary

Please refer to Job Description

Job description

We encourage applications from people from all backgrounds and aim to have a workforce that represents the wider society that we serve. We pride ourselves on being an employer of choice. We champion diversity, inclusion and wellbeing and aim to create a workplace where everyone feels valued and a sense of belonging. To find out more about how we do this visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ministry-of-justice/about/equality-and-diversity.

This role will require delivery of Polygraph Tests across the South Central region. The successful applicant may also be required to cover tests in other Regions. This post therefore requires extensive travel. Travel costs from the designated office base will be covered by the organisation.

THE OFFICE BASE IS FLEXIBLE ACROSS SOUTH CENTRAL

Polygraph Examiners are paid at Band 5 (substantive) on successful completion of basic training  and Post Conviction Sexual Offender Training provided by the Behavioural Measures UK Polygraph School and accredited by the American Polygraph Association.  

This post requires a minimum of 2 years direct experience of working with those convicted of sexual offences either as an offender manager or programme facilitator

Confirmation in post will be dependent on attending polygraph training school and passing the relevant qualifications. Polygraph training school is envisaged to take place August/September 2024.

If you require any information about the vacancy and role please contact Mel.Briggs2@justice.gov.uk in the first instance.

Overview of the job    

To contribute as a member of the public protection team and assist in the risk assessment of sexual offenders. Polygraph examiners will operate as members of public protection teams but will work collaboratively with offender management teams with in the NPS. Examiners testing terrorist offenders will work within the NPS Counter-Terrorism Units.

Summary    

Polygraph examinations will be the priority work of polygraph examiners

During periods of low demand for polygraph testing nationally they may be required to carry out other duties. Any additional work that polygraph examiners carry out, must not be with any offenders that they will be polygraph testing.

Additional duties could be any of the following: holding a small caseload, programme facilitation (if currently employed delivering community sex offender treatment programmes), pre- sentence report writing.

As such, a polygraph examiner can be expected to take on one or more of the following roles for the type of offender indicated.

Role /Type of offender

Offender Manager     All types

Preparation of Pre-sentence reports    All types

Community Sex Offender Facilitator     Sexual offenders

Responsibilities, Activities & Duties    

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

•    As a qualified polygraph examiner, carry out polygraph examinations on all high risk offenders according to their licence condition and based on referrals from the supervising officer and according to the American Polygraph Association rules. These will include sexual offenders, domestic abuse perpetrators and terrorist offenders and any other offender type that may, at a later date and according to legislation be mandatorily tested.
•    Carry out pre polygraph examination interviews in accordance with the American Polygraph Association rules
•    Carry out polygraph examinations following a referral from the supervising officer on all offenders who are subject to the required licence condition on any discretionary cases.
•    Carry out post polygraph examination interviews according to the American Polygraph Association rules
•    Craft polygraph examination questions in full collaboration with the supervising officer
•    Notify the supervising officer of any offenders subject to the polygraph licence condition of any failures to attend or comply with instructions in accordance with the licence conditions
•    Contribute to discussions regarding risk assessment and management
•    Prepare a post polygraph examination written report on the results of the polygraph examination in accordance with the American Polygraph Association rules
•    Promote the use of polygraph examinations within the NPS
•    Provide briefings and presentations on the use of the polygraph examination to the NPS and other Government Departments as required
•    Answer queries regarding the use of the polygraph examination to offender managers and senior managers within the NPS
•    Cover for other polygraph examiner colleagues in other NPS Divisions during periods of leave, sickness or any other absence
 
Offender Manager and Pre-sentence report preparation
This includes offender management, preparing pre sentence reports and group work. Prepare sentence plans, implement and/or oversee interventions, review and evaluate
•    Supervise and motivate those under supervision in accordance with sentence plan.
•    Ensure contact is maintained with offenders in accordance with National Standards.
•    Maintain contact with offenders in custody.
•    Follow enforcement procedures and initiate enforcement action as necessary.
•    Enter all appropriate offender information onto computer records in accordance with National Standards and local procedures.
•    Refer to other agencies as necessary.
•    Assess and manage cases in line with the relevant policies and procedures e.g. safeguarding; MAPPA in order to ensure effective management of risk and reduction in offending.
•    Allocate interventions, as appropriate, to offender manager/supervisor in accordance with local procedures; provide advice and guidance, as necessary.
•    Ensures service delivery reflects the Probation Service Equality of Opportunity and anti-racism policies.

Sex Offending Treatment Programmes
Polygraph examiners who are trained and accredited to deliver one of the nationally recognised sex offender treatment programmes will be required to facilitate a limited number of group work sessions during periods of low national demand for polygraph examinations.
•    Facilitate sex offending treatment programme according to the programme manual.
•    Prepare programme sessions in collaboration with colleague facilitator
•    Debrief post programme session with colleague facilitator
•    Maintain records on NDelius and IAPS to requirements
•    Engage with Treatment Management
•    Prepare reports
•    Maintain Structured Assessment of Risk and Need reports
•    Attend 3 way meetings with offender managers as required
•    Willing to travel across England and Wales NPS Divisions

Local Engagement & Representation
•    Build and maintain strong working relationships with key partners.
•    Maintain appropriate links and relationships relevant to Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.
•    Represent the NPS in relevant meetings and workgroups as assigned by the Team Manager.
•    Work collaboratively with internal and external Providers to ensure appropriate interventions are available to reduce reoffending.
•    Maintain effective links with local courts and sentences in line with the locally agreed protocols and arrangements
•    Maintain effective working relationships with the local police, Youth Justice Service and other agencies.
•    Maintain relationships and dialogue with local communities and community groups.

Other Responsibilities
•    Work to increase public confidence in the work of the NPS, and to develop and maintain a positive public profile of the NPS within the team.
•    To comply with and promote adherence to all NPS policies and procedures at all times
•    Developing productive working relationships with all colleagues.
•    Develop own knowledge and skills to meet objectives.
•    Attend the mandatory American Polygraph Association Seminar every two years in order to maintain APA accreditation.
•    Engage and respond to mandatory Quality Assurance requirements
 
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 alternations 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.

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £38,857, HM Prison & Probation Service contributes £10,297 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.https://justicejobs.tal.net/vx/candidate/cms/About%20the%20MOJ

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.