Army - Vehicle Mechanic

Job summary

Vehicle Fitters across the Army have a keen eye for the finer detail, are enthusiastic about delivering the highest level of standards, all whilst working as part of a team to deliver results as efficiently as possible to meet our customer's expectations.

101 Regiment Royal Artillery require a Skill Zone 3 Vehicle Mechanic (VM) to work at Kingston Park, Newcastle. This is an exciting opportunity to become a member of the workshop (WKSP) team that support the British Army’s only Armoured Reservist Regiment. The “Northumbrian Gunners” are the Royal Artillery’s Army Reserve unit in the North East of England, and the only reserve unit to hold, maintain and train on the armoured Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS). The MLRS is a ‘precision fire’ weapon system, able to engage targets at long ranges with accuracy. Each battery has its own reconnaissance and command sections which control the MLRS movement and firing, as well as the delivery of ammunition.

You will be working as part of a small but lively team supporting vehicle maintenance, recovery and equipment care of a wide range of vehicles, including armoured tracked and wheeled vehicles.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week with the exciting opportunity to achieve that with a flexible approach, some travel will be required in support of sub-unit locations.

Job description

As a MOD civil servant, you will work alongside other civilians and military personnel. You will provide servicing, repairs and inspections for a wide range of military vehicles, both tracked and wheeled, which support the Regiment.

You will support equipment including: Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS), Support Vehicle (SV), Land Rover and Lightweight Field Generator (LFG) in base location (Kingston Park, Newcastle) and occasionally maybe working at other sub-unit locations (Blythe, Gateshead, South Shields and Leeds). Will be responsible for the safe use and management of all workshop tools/test equipment, WKSP maintenance support equipment and Lifting and Recovery Equipment (LRE). Also responsible for the management of WKSP COSHH and Expense.

As a Vehicle Mechanic, you will service and repair all systems within the vehicle including engine and exhaust systems, air brakes, air conditioning and electronics. Work will range from replacing parts, to complex faults using diagnostic methods and equipment. With evermore-complex technologies, the tasks are constantly changing. As a qualified Vehicle Mechanic in service and maintaining light or heavy vehicles you will continue to develop your trade knowledge on tracked vehicles and specialist artillery specific equipment.

Key responsibilities:

• Routine servicing, fault finding and repair of full range of unit equipment including the Regiment’s main armoured platform MLRS, in order to run and deliver a timely repair programme that is implemented in an efficient manner.
• Lead the equipment maintenance & inspection regime on Joint Asset Management and Engineering Solutions and Management Information Systems and use 93X series to accurately programme and record work completed, equipment usage and Equipment Support material consumption.
• Ensure all vehicle and equipment related documentation is completed accurately, kept up to date and presented for audit as vital.
• Run and apply legislative standards in respect to the unit Safety Health and Environment plan and Control of Substances Hazardous to Health management.
• The safe use and management of all workshop tools and inspection equipment (i.e. Roller Brake Tester, Headlight Beam Tester, Fume Extraction System as well as vehicle specific Specialist Tools and Test Equipment and Lifting and Recovery Equipment as issued to the trades person.
• Operating machinery and power tools where vital in accordance with manufacturer guidelines and all relevant safe systems of use.
• Any other duties reasonably encouraged of the post holder as advised by the chain of command.
• Be prepared to collect/deliver vehicles and spares to and from other military or civilian sites as well as conducting repairs or fault finding at Sub-Unit locations as required. This may necessitate the post holder having a flexible approach to work patterns and must be willing to work on other unit military sites.
• Attend specific equipment automotive courses and complete mandatory training to meet the responsibilities of the job role.
• Able to make effective engineering decisions, based on knowledge, experience, skills, & technical information

Person specification

We are looking for a enthusiastic and efficient team player making a positive contribution to morale and output. You will conduct planned inspections, servicing, maintenance, mechanical and electrical repairs on equipment and vehicles in accordance with current regulations/legislation.

Essential Criteria:

• Full UK Driving Licence
• NVQ 3 or equivalent in light or heavy vehicle mechanical qualification or a VM Class 1 or Tri-Service Equivalent.
• Passion and interest in vehicles and engineering
• Motivated and a team player
• Good attention to detail

Desirable skills & experience:

• MOT vehicle examiner.
• Experience working with armoured military equipment.
• Full H Cat drivers licence.
• MLRS automotive maintainer experience.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Qualifications

NVQ 3 or equivalent in light or heavy vehicle mechanical qualification or a VM Class 1 or Tri-Service Equivalent.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,390, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,645 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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
• Access to gym on site for a nominal fee
• Access to Diner on site
• Parking available on site

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.

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 Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide a Personal Statement. (250 words) Detailing how you can demonstrate the skills and experience listed in the essential criteria

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

At sift, you will be assessed against the following Experience:

• CV - to include job history and qualification details.
• Personal statement

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

Behaviours

• Delivering at pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Experience

• Experience based question based on your Personal Statement

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date.

Further Information:

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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

There may be occasions where it is not practicable or appropriate to interview all DCS candidates that meet the minimum criteria for the job. For example, in certain recruitment situations such as a high volume of applications, seasonal demand, or peak periods, the employer may wish to limit the overall number of interviews offered to both DCS and non-DCS applicants.

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. 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.

The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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 : Janet McLeod-Smith
• Email : janette.mcleod-smith945@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.

Attachments

ADR013810_EVP_Booklet_A5 Opens in new window (pdf, 273kB)Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (docx, 32kB)Defence Internal Brief notice Opens in new window (docx, 43kB)GSE -Career-Framework Opens in new window (pdf, 5363kB)