About the job
Job summary
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army.
Are you a machinist who is looking to apply their skills & knowledge to a variety of exciting engineering challenges? The Fitter Turner position offers a fantastic opportunity to become part of the Army Trials Units Technical Engineering Branch (TEB), where you will work as part of a small team to develop innovative solutions for a wide range of military applications.
You will work as part of a small team of 5 to develop innovative solutions to complex engineering challenges, using a variety of metalworking techniques and with access to 3D CAD software, a CNC 5-axis mill, CNC lathe, 3D printers, a laser cutter, guillotine and a plethora of other engineering equipment. Furthermore, you will be involved in the development of new and novel approaches to the provision of engineering support within the Army, through adoption and trialling of emerging technologies such as additive manufacturing/3D printing.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The Fitter Turner role is in support of the Army Trials Unit (ATU) where new military vehicles are trialled and many modifications for the Armys fleet of vehicles are developed. As the Fitter Turner for the ATU workshop facility, known as the Technical Engineering Branch (TEB), you will be required to carry out repairs to existing equipment as well as the manufacture and modification of military equipment from engineering drawings or a task description.
The Bovington site where you will work is located near Wool in Dorset and is focused on the Trialling and Development of Armoured vehicles for the British Army, although there is also the opportunity to be involved in projects for a far wider selection of military vehicles and capabilities in conjunction with our other satellite locations across the UK.
If you have a passion for engineering then this role offers an amazing opportunity. You will be required to work effectively as part of a small team to tackle a wide variety of design and manufacturing challenges, in support of the Armys vast and varied fleet of vehicles. This will see you working with equipment that is already in military service, as well as the next generation of tanks and armoured vehicles that are being brought into service. This may involve the use of 3D CAD, CNC machining and use of additive manufacturing techniques to manufacture the required components.
Your primary role as the Fitter Turner will be the operation and maintenance of the TEBs 5-axis CNC mill, lathe and cutting facilities, to support the manufacture of components. You will work with the TEB Manager and Welder Fabricator to ensure that all tooling and facilities are maintained to a high standard and in accordance with Health and Safety policy and regulations.
You should not be put off from applying for this job if lacking experience in certain areas as you will be able to develop professionally as a member of the TEB team, with the opportunity to complete training and courses to fill any competency gaps. In addition to this there will be opportunities to gain experience in advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing of polymers and the use of metal Cold Spray deposition machines.
At the Technical Engineering Branch, we champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance. We offer 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service, along with a highly competitive pension scheme. We also offer 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities and many other great benefits.
Person specification
Essential criteria:
* Candidate must be skilled and experienced in setting CNC machine tools, tool selection, speeds & feeds.
* Ability to read and interpret technical drawings.
* Experience in machining one off and small batch components.
* Have great attention to detail
* Experience with modern quality control standards and measurement of parts.
* Maintain a clean and safe environment.
* Adhere to Health & Safety regulations.
* The ability to work well individually and with the team
Desirable criteria:
* Experience with CAD/CAM or SolidWorks.
* Experience of Additive Manufacturing techniques
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Developing Self and Others
* Working Together
* Changing and Improving
* Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Developing Self and Others
* Working Together
Benefits
Alongside your salary of 23,310, Ministry of Defence contributes 6,752 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
The Army 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 Army civil servants include:
* 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years service
* Highly competitive pension scheme
* Personal and professional development of skills
* Alternative working patterns for many roles
* Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
* Enhanced parental and adoption leave
* 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
* Learning and Development
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 a modern apprenticeship as part of your role.
A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career.
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.
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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
At application you will need to provide a CV including your previous job history and previous skills and experience. You will also be asked to provide a personal statement of no more than 250 words providing evidence and knowledge of any experience utilizing: Hand tools, Machining techniques, CAD, CNC Machining, 3D Printing.
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.
You will also be assessed against the following behaviours
* Working Together
* Developing Self and Others
At interview you will be assessed against the following behaviours -
* Changing and Improving
* Working Together
* Developing Self and Others
* Delivering at Pace
Sifting is due to take place within 7 days of the closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed. We endeavour to stick to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.
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-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into 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.
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.
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.
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
* UK nationals
* nationals 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 of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
* nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
* individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
* Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
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 : Martin Peak
* Email : Martin.Peak100@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.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:
info@csc.gov.uk.