Operational Support Officers

Our Operational Support Officers play a critical role, providing excellent customer service and administrative support to court and tribunal users, judiciary and management. The role is primarily based within the courtroom, supporting the smooth running of court proceedings. Administrative duties will also be incorporated into the post. Working as part of a team, you will contribute to the overall operational, performance and service standard targets across your area of work.

You will progress cases through the court/tribunal system and provide customer service and administrative support to functions within HMCTS. You will have regular contact with court / tribunal users, which could include members of the judiciary and the legal profession. You will be adaptable, able to multi-task and effectively carry out a variety of duties, both office-based and in a court, which will include:

• Preparing papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings including processing and handling sensitive information and accurately resulting outcomes.
• Creating and updating records digitally, interpreting information required on a court file accurately.
• Communicating with the public, the judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies and organisations
• Supporting the smooth running of court proceedings, preparing court /hearing rooms and ensuring court runs efficiently.
• When required, you will be an essential first point of contact for all the court users; meeting members of the public, which may include vulnerable witnesses, and their legal representatives. Court usher duties which include preparation and management of a courtroom by communication with court users (members of the public).
• Ensuring court video link technology is prepared and working correctly.
• Communication with stakeholders and professionals including Police, Probation Service and Solicitors.
• Administration work including pre and post court functions.

Lead criterion at application stage:
Statement of Suitability. An initial sift based on the statement of suitability may be held if a large number of applications are received. Further details:
These operational roles are customer facing, requiring successful applicants to be court based to provide HMCTS services to the public. Standard full time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). HMCTS welcomes part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns, where they meet the demands of the role and business needs and are agreed prior to appointment. Applications for part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns will be considered in accordance with the MoJ's Flexible Working policy.

Due to the requirements of the role, a minimum working pattern of three days per week is required. Saturday Working The contract includes a 5 days over 6 working days shift pattern, which may include Saturdays. Your working pattern will be confirmed by your line manager and, if you are required to work on a Saturday, you will receive a day off in lieu in accordance with business needs.

Please note that there is no requirement to work on Sundays. Although Saturday working is included within the contractual arrangements, there are currently no plans for Operational Support Officers to work Saturdays at the moment. Occasional travel to other courts Whilst the post holder will be allocated to a specific office base, there may be a need for flexibility to work on an ad hoc or regular basis at other local HMCTS sites/courts.

Where applicable, associated travel cost/time will be applied in line with organisational policies. Please only indicate preferences where you are prepared to work. If you are subsequently offered a role from the reserve list for a location…