Operational Support Officer

Operational Support Officer

HMCourts & Tribunals Service (HMCTS) is responsible for the administration of criminal, civil and family courts and tribunals in England and Wales. Our roles support court users and colleagues within HMCTS, ensuring people and businesses access life‑changing justice. We look for individuals committed to public service and making a difference in people"s lives.

The role is based within the courtroom, supporting the smooth running of court proceedings. Administrative duties also apply.

As part of a team, you will help achieve operational, performance and service targets across your area, progress cases through the system, provide customer service and administrative support to HMCTS functions, and maintain contact with court and tribunal users including judges, lawyers and the public. Your duties will include:

• Preparing papers and files for court, tribunals, hearings and meetings, including processing and handling sensitive information and ensuring accurate outcomes.
• Creating and updating digital records, interpreting information required on a court file accurately.
• Communicating with the public, the judiciary, other court and tribunal users and representatives of other agencies.
• Supporting the smooth running of court proceedings, preparing court/hearing rooms and ensuring courts run efficiently.
• Serving as a first point of contact for court users, meeting members of the public, vulnerable witnesses and their legal representatives.

• Strong customer‑service skills with the ability to work in a service‑led, customer‑facing environment.
• Good digital and administrative skills with excellent attention to detail.
• Effective communication and organisational skills; able to communicate confidently in person, over the telephone, digitally and in written communications.
• Resilient and empathetic; able to deal with sensitive information and situations.
• A team player; able to work collaboratively and flexibly to deliver HMCTS objectives.

Standard full‑time working hours are 37 hours per week (Monday to Friday). Work may involve occasional travel to local courts for cover when required. Hybrid working is available where business need allows; all employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60 percent of working time in an office.

Annual leave is 25 days on appointment, increasing to 30 days after five years’ service, plus paid public holidays and one privilege day. Flexible benefits such as voluntary benefits, retail vouchers and discounts on a range of goods and services are also available.

The Civil Service offers a choice of pension schemes, and the Ministry of Justice is committed to staff development with extensive training and development opportunities. Employee‑run networks provide support and representation for minority groups.

This role is open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• Nationality 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 with settled or pre‑settled status under the EUSS
• Individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for the EUSS before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Applicants of all backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, religions and ethnicities are encouraged to apply. We are a Disability Confident employer and welcome applicants with disabilities and long‑term conditions.