Portsmouth Job Summary Are you looking for an opportunity to apply your engineering skills in direct support of the Royal Navy (RN) front line? The RN Maritime Capability, Trials and Assessment (MCTA) organisation is looking for hard-working engineers and technicians to join our highly professional team of Trials Officers to go onboard ships in harbour and at sea, around UK and occasionally overseas, to inspect RN missile systems and gun control systems in readiness for operations worldwide. This trials officer role is an exciting one conducting inspections on the sophisticated missile and gun systems in RN warships, from the Sea Ceptor missile system, through to the GSA8 and GSA9 gun-fire control systems for the 4.5" Mk 8 Medium Calibre Gun on T23 Frigates and T45 Destroyers. There are also opportunities to get involved in future RN ships and technologies, such as the new T26 and T31 frigates. MCTA is a fast-paced team of Military and Civil Servants led by a Royal Navy Captain, who face a constantly evolving vista of work carrying out assessment and assurance of equipment on aircraft carriers, warships, and smaller military vessels. This role would suit applicants of an engineering / technical background with an interest in the performance of weapon control systems and associated equipment and maintenance of standards, with opportunities to broaden into other RN weapons and systems. For external applicants the post is available as a permanent Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) civilian position. The position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description This role delivers the duties of an MCTA Trials Officer for all relevant system related activities, including the maintenance of professional standards through training and development to deliver trials assessments as required by NCHQ, DE&S and Naval Authority. This needs to be supported by the ability to work independently, and good leadership and communication skills that have been proven in a team working environment. This is a challenging but rewarding role that also provides the opportunity for personal development and the ability to improve and progress your career. Whilst based in Victory Building in Portsmouth, the role is required to visit other locations around the UK and on occasions abroad to conduct assurance visits and progress meetings. Weekend working and nights away at sea and in other locations may be required. This role delivers the duties of an MCTA Trials Officer for all relevant system related activities, including the maintenance of professional standards through training and development to deliver trials assessments as required by NCHQ, DE&S and Naval Authority. This needs to be supported by the ability to work independently, and good leadership and communication skills that have been proven in a team working environment. This is a challenging but rewarding role that also provides the opportunity for personal development and the ability to improve and progress your career. Whilst based in Victory Building in Portsmouth, the role is required to visit other locations around the UK and on occasions abroad to conduct assurance visits and progress meetings. Weekend working and nights away at sea and in other locations may be required. Person specification To Be Capable Of conducting inspections as a professional engineer with an extensive knowledge of the operation and performance of the systems relevant to the role. applying general engineering perspective to all trials. compiling trials related defect lists, discussing with the shipbuilder/refitting authority/ ship to establish content, priority and liability. attending post trials meetings to assist in the agreement of responsibilities for defect rectification and outstanding trials, and to acquaint those authorities concerned with the assessment, conclusion and subsequent actions necessary to complete those inspections and trials. leading and assisting in the compilation of Trials Reports, including proofing of section trial reports before sending for staffing. providing advice on trial contents and conducts to relevant authorities and ship staffs. conducting analysis of system performance. conducting trials beyond the role’s primary area in support of the wider Weapons Systems group on, once qualified, other RN systems and equipment. interacting with a wide range of authorities and personnel to resolve problems and ensure that current MOD policies are followed in the conduct of day-to-day business. The post holder is expected to have an informed opinion on matters that affect MCTA and the Directorate as a whole and contribute to initiatives to improve the conduct and cost of business activities. Licences Full UK Driving Licence Qualifications HNC/HND or Equivalent ENG1 Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Leadership Managing a Quality Service Changing and Improving Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Communicating and Influencing Making Effective Decisions Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 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% As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference. Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other Benefits For Navy Command Civil Servants Include 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service plus Bank Holidays A very competitive pension scheme Personal & professional development tailored to your role Access to a confidential, professional support service Discount schemes Cycle to work scheme/season ticket loans Enhanced parental and adoption leave Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year In MCTA, we understand the everyday commitments both inside and outside the workplace, so our aim is to provide the flexibility to maintain a great work-life balance. We also offer an impressive range of on-site facilities including access to a gymnasium within the Naval Base, Cafe Neo coffee shop in Victory Building, a small local convenience store nearby, free car parking, and the option of membership of HMS NELSON Wardroom Mess. Victory Building is well located in the Naval Base, overlooking HMS VICTORY and within walking distance of Portsmouth Harbour station and the shopping opportunities at Gunwharf Quays In Navy Command we believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role. Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 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. An opportunity to be considered for Reward and Recognition - £250-£5000 per year. 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. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 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. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Selection process details When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. Role This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and during the selection process we will assess your experience for the role and seek evidence of the following behaviours at interview: Changing and improving Making effective decisions Leadership Communicating and influencing Managing a Quality Service We Only Ask For Evidence Of These Behaviours On Your Application Form, Which Will Be Assessed At Sift Alongside Your CV And/or Statement Of Suitability Communicating and influencing Making effective decisions Candidates Will Be Required To Provide a CV to include job history, qualification details and skills. a Statement of Suitability of no more than 250 words showing their experience relevant to this role. This vacancy will require selected applicants to attend an interview in Victory Building in Portsmouth. You will need to hold a minimum of HNC/HND in electronic engineering, or equivalent. You will need to hold a Full UK Manual Driving licence and be willing to drive MOD provided vehicles. The successful candidate must be medically fit in order to conduct trials at sea. An ENG1 medical is required but can be conducted on completion of a successful interview. The successful applicants will ideally have, or be willing to work towards, developing their knowledge on all equipment associated with weapon control systems. Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly. We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group. Appointment will be based on merit alone. Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. 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. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Medical Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical. Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job Contact Name : john.davies608mod.gov.uk Email : john.davies608mod.gov.uk Telephone : 0300 155 4972 Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-ResourcingTeam3mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk.