HM Prison and Probation Service
Land Based Activities - Specialist Production Instructor (SPI): Commercial Horticulture - HMP Onley (Ref: 19188)
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Land Based Activities - Specialist Production Instructor (SPI): Commercial Horticulture - HMP Onley (Ref: 19188)
Approved Assessor (Custodial Horticultural Operations)
Location: HMYOI Onley, Rugby, CV23 8AP
Job Overview
A non-operational instructional role within an establishment-based horticultural vocational programme.
About the Role
Job Summary
The Horticultural Assessor is responsible for:
- Overseeing the daily maintenance, cultivation, and harvesting of the establishment’s gardens.
- Ensuring protected cropping is grown and harvested to the highest standards.
- Assessing prisoners for accredited vocational qualifications in horticulture.
This is a non-line-managerial role, focusing on instruction, training, and operational standards.
Responsibilities & Duties
Horticultural Operations
- Maintain field-scale soil husbandry, adhering to good horticultural practices for crop development.
- Ensure optimal plant/crop growth by meeting all growing needs, from seedling to harvest.
- Implement biological pest control and crop protection protocols (including chemical treatments when necessary).
- Harvest and prepare produce for sale/availability (labeling, grading, packaging).
- Maintain sports fields as per agreement with Farms & Gardens Manager and PE Department.
- Conduct preventative pest control across assigned areas.
Prisoner Instruction & Management
- Assist in selection of prisoners for the horticultural workshop/area.
- Induct and train prisoners in:
- Health and Safety
- COSHH (Control of Substances Hazardous to Health)
- Machinery/tool operation
- Provide individualised support, tailoring learning to prisoners’ abilities.
- Set work schedules, manage product targets/quality standards, and ensure delivery of contractual arrangements.
- Assess prisoner skills up to national qualification standards.
- Supervise prisoner discipline, performance, motivation, appraisals, and development within the workshop area.
- Maintain radios communications in line with Local Security Strategy (LSS).
- Complete ACCT, VRIR, SIR reports and contribute to IEP (Incentive Earned Privileges).
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Security & Administrative Duties
- Conduct metal detector/rub-down searches of prisoners attending/leaving the workshop.
- Provide quality assurance against product specifications.
- Log attendance, wages, and piece-rate work records.
- Perform fabric/tool checks, maintain workshop security, and log machine faults.
- Contribute to parole and sentence planning reports.
- Complete regime monitoring data and update prisoner training records.
- Contribute to Health & Safety risk assessments and specialist area audits.
- Request/set material orders to meet objectives and maintain production levels.
- Integrate into service delivery indicators (SDIs) and self-audit processes.
- Handle the administrative running of the horticultural workshop.
Note: Responsibilities may evolve significantly, potentially requiring Job Evaluation Scheme discussion with employer.
Requirements & Qualifications
Essential Experience
- Must demonstrate proven supervisory role experience.
- Must possess expertise in:
- Soil & growing medium husbandry
- Crop protection & agriculture technology
- Preparation of fresh produce (grading, labeling, presentation)
- Industrial standard machinery/equipment operation.
Technical Requirements
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| Horticulture Level 3 | Or recognised industry equivalent within 2 years. |
| Pesticide Certification | PA2 (Agricultural Use) and PA6 (Crop-Specific) required. |
| Driving License | Must hold a full UK driving license (vehicles include tractors & farm vehicles). |
| Health & Safety | Current knowledge of H&S standards and COSHH. |
| Assessment Credentials | Optional but beneficial—accredited assessor status. |
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Minimal Skills
| Skill | Level |
|---|---|
| IT Proficiency | Standard office applications |
| Maths | Basic competence for measurements, budgets |
| English | Advanced fluency (spoken) for assessments/records |
Additional Checks
- Must pass an enhanced criminal record check.
- Must complete Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) checks.
- For Young Person Offenders (YPOs), suitability assessment required.
Language
Fluency in English (or Welsh, if working in Wales) essential.
Working Arrangements
- Standard Hours: 37-hour week (may include unsocial hours, as required).
- Competitive Salary: £34,440 per annum (includes £9,977 Civil Service Pension employer contribution).
Selection Process
Assessed against civil service behaviours:
- Effective Decision-Making
- Quality Service Management
- Communication & Influence
And the following key criteria:
- ✅ Horticultural qualifications (L3 or equivalent)
- ✅ Pesticide certifications (PA2/PA6)
- ✅ Supervisory experience
- ✅ Key technical skills & lively chemistry for criminal justice work
Benefits
- Civil Service Pension: Employer contributes 28.97% of salary.
- Flexible Working: Approved working arrangements.
- Inclusion & Diversity: Committees and support policies in place.
- Public Holidays + 20+ leave days.
- Access to Career Development & Vetting Support.
Security & Civil Service Compliance
Governed by Civil Service Code; recruitment must be fair, open, and merit-based. Exceptions allowed for VDS (Vet and Disclosure Scheme) access.
Contact & Further Information
For queries, contact: 📧 moj-recruitment-vetting-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk 📞 0345 241 5358
Job-Specific Link: Civil Service HMPP Jobs Portal Feedback only available post-interview.
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