Operational Support Officers

Overview

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, and includes administrative duties throughout the post.

• Progress cases through the court/tribunal system.
• Prepare papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings, including processing and handling sensitive information and accurately closing outcomes.
• Create and update records digitally, interpreting information accurately required on a court file.
• Communicate with the public, judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies and organisations.
• Serve as the first point of contact for court users, meeting members of the public who may include vulnerable witnesses and their legal representatives.
• Prepare court and hearing rooms, ensuring the court runs efficiently.
• Adapt to a varied workload, effectively carry out a variety of duties, and maintain high standards of service delivery.

Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). The Ministry of Justice welcomes part‑time, flexible and job‑sharing working patterns where they meet the demands of the role and business needs. Minimum hours for part‑time positions may be 30 hours per week over five days. Flexible arrangements will be discussed and agreed with the successful candidate(s) and subject to regular review.

• Customer service skills and the ability to work in a service‑led customer‑facing environment.
• Digital and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Strong communication and organisational skills, comfortable communicating confidently in person, over the telephone, digitally and in written form.
• Resilience and empathy to deal with sensitive information and situations.
• A team player able to work collaboratively and flexibly to deliver business objectives.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. The Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy are available to all applicants. The "Making the Civil Service a Great Place to work for veterans" initiative offers a guaranteed interview scheme for eligible former members of the Armed Forces.

• Annual leave: 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years of service, with a scheme to buy or sell up to three days each year.
• Pension provision: choice of Civil Service pension schemes.
• Training and development opportunities from the Ministry of Justice.
• Family‑friendly policies, including options for reduced hours or job share.
• Flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services.
• Childcare support, including alternative government childcare schemes.
• Paid paternity, adoption and maternity leave.
• Free annual sight tests for employees who use computer screens.