North Luffenham, Rutland, LE15 8RL
Job Summary
Defence employs Military Working Dogs across all Top Level Budgets for both United Kingdom/Permanent Joint Operational Base security tasks as well as for wider operational purposes. In all cases Joint Service Publication 950 directs the Welfare Standards that must be maintained by animal holding units whether in camp, on exercise or in deployed locations. The norm across Defence for delivering the husbandry element of welfare is through the employment of civilian Kennel Assistants, thus releasing Royal Army Veterinary Corps personnel to undertake worthwhile training activity.
1 Military Working Dog Regiment is the largest operational animal holding unit across all Defence Top Level Budgets however currently it has significantly gapped Kennel Assistant positions. This results in having to excessively employ Royal Army Veterinary Corps Military Working Dog personnel to clean kennels and provide basic mandated animal husbandry tasks to the detriment of delivering operational capability.
Defence policy requires that all Military Working Dogs receive at least 80 minutes of exercise time per day, split into two approximately equal periods. In addition, two daily feeds and kennel cleans are mandated requirements. The total daily care requirement for dogs within the regiment equates to about 4 hours, every day of the year. Effective kennel cleaning ensures hygienic living conditions thereby contributing to infection control and safeguarding Military Working Dogs from environmental pathogens that might otherwise accumulate within the close confines of a kennel.
The successful candidate will be working outdoors and exercising the Military Working Dogs for up to 10-12 miles per day, in all seasons and weather conditions. The role is physical in nature and can be completed as part of a team or by lone working.
Shift Pattern:
* 0700-1330 Mon - Sat
* 1100-1730 Tue - Sun
* 0800-1430 Thu - Tue
Job Description
A Kennel Assistant will be expected to have a basic knowledge of dogs and a comprehensive week-long training package will be delivered by one of our Specialist Instructors to help and assist day to day management of Military working dogs.
Roles And Responsibilities:
* Accurate handling
* Safe practices in the kennels
* Grooming techniques
* Accurate feeding procedures and many other aspects of the job role
* Make the most of all resources at your disposal (including your own time), looking for opportunities to reduce costs and making improvements for Defence and pursuing them energetically
* Ensure that the highest standards of welfare and hygiene are maintained in accordance with the 5 freedoms of animal welfare, this includes demonstrating an understanding of bio security and being able to identify and report signs of adverse welfare
* The cleaning of kennels, kennel areas/equipment, drains etc
* Ensure that all Military Working Dogs are exercised and fed in accordance with directed practices, at the prescribed times and understanding specific nuances of each dog under their care - this includes the preparation and administering of food, the exercise of Military Working dogs of various breed, size and classification over various terrain
* Being able to identify abnormalities in a dog’s health and report to the Chain of Command immediately if there are any concerns. This includes presentation, restraint and manipulation of dogs at Veterinary Inspections and the administration of medication, and/or treatment thereafter
* Understand and contribute to the culture of safe working practices within the Squadron, ensuring that any concerns or ideas about improvements are reported to the Chain of Command at the earliest opportunity.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
* An understanding of animal welfare
* Experience with working animals
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Working Together
* Managing a Quality Service
* Changing and Improving
Salary and Benefits:
Alongside your salary of £23,116, the Ministry of Defence contributes £6,696 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
* Learning and development tailored to your role
* An environment with flexible working options
* A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
* A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Additional Information:
The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance.
Selection Process Details:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At Application You Will Be Assessed Against:
* Situational Judgement Test
* A personal statement of no more than 250 words outlining why you feel you're best suited to the role and how you can demonstrate the essential criteria within the advert.
* 1 behaviour (250 words) Working Together
At Interview You Will Be Assessed Against:
* Personal Statement via experience-based questions
* 2 behaviours: Changing and Improving and Managing a Quality Service
Candidates will be required to complete an online Civil Service Judgement test.
The Civil Service Judgement Test is not bankable and therefore must be taken on every vacancy where it is applied.
Should you be invited to complete the online tests, please allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the full application form; only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application by clicking ‘Submit Application’. Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The tests are not timed, as they work by giving you harder questions if you answer the previous question correctly, and easier if you get it wrong. You should allow up to an hour for each test, and each test must be completed before you will be invited to complete the second part of your application. Internet access will be required for the duration of the test. Please refer to the attached Candidate Guidance for further information.
Candidates That Reach The Minimum Required Pass Mark Will Have Their Results Saved As a Banked Score Against The Following Tests:
* New Civil Service Verbal Test
* New Civil Service Numerical Test
When a candidate has a banked score they’re not asked to re-take the same test providing it is set at the same level. Scores will be banked for a 6 month period from the date of test completion.
If you require any particular arrangements (for example due to a disability or health problem) to be made in order for you to complete the online test you MUST contact the DBS Enquiry Centre on 0800 345 7772 BEFORE accessing the online test.
Opening times Mon -Friday 0800- 1600 hrs.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
Contact Point for Applicants:
* Name : Susan Roberts
* Email : Susan.Roberts676@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment Team:
* Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
#J-18808-Ljbffr