Polygraph Examiner - NW Probation

Role Summary

This role within the public protection team focuses on assessing risks posed by sexual offenders through polygraph examinations. Polygraph examiners collaborate with offender management teams in the National Probation Service (NPS), including Counter-Terrorism Units for terrorist offenders. The primary responsibility is conducting polygraph tests, with occasional other duties such as caseload management, programme facilitation, or report writing during low-demand periods. Travel across England and Wales NPS divisions may be required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct polygraph examinations on high-risk offenders in compliance with American Polygraph Association (APA) standards, covering sexual offenders, domestic abuse perpetrators, terrorist offenders, and other offender types as required by legislation.
• Perform pre- and post-examination interviews adhering to APA rules.
• Design polygraph test questions collaboratively with supervising officers.
• Inform supervising officers about offender non-compliance or failure to attend polygraph sessions.
• Contribute to risk assessment and management discussions and prepare detailed written reports following APA guidelines.
• Advocate for polygraph use within NPS, providing briefings, presentations, and addressing queries from staff and governmental departments.
• Provide cover for absent colleagues in other NPS divisions.
• Manage offender cases, including preparing pre-sentence reports, facilitating sex offender treatment programmes (if accredited), supervising offenders, and ensuring compliance with national standards.
• Collaborate extensively with multi-agency partners, attend relevant meetings, and maintain strong relationships with courts, police, youth justice services, and community groups.
• Maintain compliance with organisational policies and contribute to public confidence in NPS work.
• Engage in continuous professional development including mandatory APA seminars and quality assurance activities.

Eligibility and Qualifications

• Probation Qualification Framework Graduate Diploma or Honours Degree in Community Justice integrated with Level 5 Diploma in Probation Practice, or an equivalent qualification recognized under Section 10 of the Offender Management Act 2007.
• Previously accepted qualifications include Diploma in Probation Studies, Diploma in Social Work (with Probation Option), or CQSW (with Probation Option).
• Applicants must belong to one of the eligible nationality groups including UK nationals, Republic of Ireland nationals, eligible Commonwealth nationals, EEA nationals with settled or pre-settled status, Turkish nationals with civil service work rights, or individuals with appropriate leave to remain.

Behaviours and Skills

• Effective communication and influencing abilities.
• Ability to deliver outcomes efficiently and at pace.
• Commitment to personal development and developing others.
• Sound decision-making capabilities.
• Providing high-quality service management.
• Strong teamwork and collaboration skills.

Additional Information

• Subject to standard criminal record and baseline security checks.
• The role requires adherence to civil service standards and diversity policies.
• Access to flexible working arrangements and learning development opportunities.
• Includes pension contributions, annual leave, public holidays, and travel season ticket advance.
• Applicants must avoid plagiarism, including AI-generated content, in their applications.