Ministry of Justice
20008 - Polygraph Examiner - East Midlands (Travel Across East and West Midlands Required)
Mansfield, Nottinghamshire NG18 1LP
Key information
- Pay
- £46,746 - £48,760
- Hours
- Full-time
- Contract
- Permanent
- Posted date
- 16 Jul 2026
- Closing date
- 5 Aug 2026
About this role
Overview of the job
To contribute as a member of the public protection team and assist in the risk assessment of sexual offenders. Polygraph examiners will operate as members of public protection teams but will work collaboratively with offender management teams with in the NPS. Examiners testing terrorist offenders will work within the NPS Counter-Terrorism Units.
Summary
Polygraph examinations will be the priority work of polygraph examiners During periods of low demand for polygraph testing nationally they may be required to carry out other duties. Any additional work that polygraph examiners carry out, must not be with any offenders that they will be polygraph testing. Additional duties could be any of the following: holding a small caseload, programme facilitation (if currently employed delivering community sex offender treatment programmes), pre-sentence report writing. As such, a polygraph examiner can be expected to take on one or more of the following roles for the type of offender indicated.
Role/Type of offender
Offender Manager - All types
Preparation of Pre-sentence reports - All types
Community Sex Offender Facilitator - Sexual offenders
Responsibilities, Activities & Duties
The role outline is dynamic and the job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
As a qualified polygraph examiner, carry out polygraph examinations on all high risk offenders according to their licence condition and based on referrals from the supervising officer and according to the American Polygraph Association rules. These will include sexual offenders, domestic abuse perpetrators and terrorist offenders and any other offender type that may, at a later date and according to legislation be mandatorily tested.
Carry out pre polygraph examination interviews in accordance with the American Polygraph Association rules
Carry out polygraph examinations following a referral from the supervising officer on all offenders who are subject to the required licence condition on any discretionary cases.
Carry out post polygraph examination interviews according to the American Polygraph Association rules
Craft polygraph examination questions in full collaboration with the supervising officer
Notify the supervising officer of any offenders subject to the polygraph licence condition of any failures to attend or comply with instructions in accordance with the licence conditions
Contribute to discussions regarding risk assessment and management
Prepare a post polygraph examination written report on the results of the polygraph examination in accordance with the American Polygraph Association rules
Promote the use of polygraph examinations within the NPS
Provide briefings and presentations on the use of the polygraph examination to the NPS and other Government Departments as required
Answer queries regarding the use of the polygraph examination to offender managers and senior managers within the NPS
Cover for other polygraph examiner colleagues in other NPS Divisions during periods of leave, sickness or any other absence
Offender Manager and Pre-sentence report preparation
This includes offender management, preparing pre sentence reports and group work. Prepare sentence plans, implement and/or oversee interventions, review and evaluate
Supervise and motivate those under supervision in accordance with sentence plan.
Ensure contact is maintained with offenders in accordance with National Standards.
Maintain contact with offenders in custody.
Follow enforcement procedures and initiate enforcement action as necessary.
Enter all appropriate offender information onto computer records in accordance with National Standards and local procedures.
Refer to other agencies as necessary.
Assess and manage cases in line with the relevant policies and procedures e.g. safeguarding; MAPPA in order to ensure effective management of risk and reduction in offending.
Allocate interventions, as appropriate, to offender manager/supervisor in accordance with local procedures; provide advice and guidance, as necessary.
Ensures service delivery reflects the Probation Service Equality of Opportunity and anti-racism policies.
Sex Offending Treatment Programmes
Polygraph examiners who are trained and accredited to deliver one of the nationally recognised sex offender treatment programmes will be required to facilitate a limited number of group work sessions during periods of low national demand for polygraph examinations.
Facilitate sex offending treatment programme according to the programme manual.
Prepare programme sessions in collaboration with colleague facilitator
Debrief post programme session with colleague facilitator
Maintain records on NDelius and IAPS to requirements
Engage with Treatment Management
Prepare reports
Maintain Structured Assessment of Risk and Need reports
Attend 3 way meetings with offender managers as required
Willing to travel across England and Wales NPS Divisions
Local Engagement & Representation
Build and maintain strong working relationships with key partners.
Maintain appropriate links and relationships relevant to Multi Agency Public Protection Arrangements.
Represent the NPS in relevant meetings and workgroups as assigned by the Team Manager.
Work collaboratively with internal and external Providers to ensure appropriate interventions are available to reduce reoffending.
Maintain effective links with local courts and sentences in line with the locally agreed protocols and arrangements
Maintain effective working relationships with the local police, Youth Justice Service and other agencies.
Maintain relationships and dialogue with local communities and community groups.
Other Responsibilities
Work to increase public confidence in the work of the NPS, and to develop and maintain a positive public profile of the NPS within the team.
To comply with and promote adherence to all NPS policies and procedures at all times
Developing productive working relationships with all colleagues.
Develop own knowledge and skills to meet objectives.
Attend the mandatory American Polygraph Association Seminar every two years in order to maintain APA accreditation.
Engage and respond to mandatory Quality Assurance requirements