MGS - Ministry of Defence Guard Service - Kennel Assistant - Catterick Garrison Dog Section

Job summary

Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Join the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) to protect Defence from threats such as crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage by providing the highest quality of security services through professionalism, excellence, and trust.

Are you reliable, alert, and passionate about animal care? We’re looking for motivated individuals to join our Gold Standard security service as Kennel Assistants—a vital role supporting the daily welfare and care of our Military Working Dogs (MWDs) across the Defence estate.

You’ll be directly responsible to the MGS Operations Manager, working to clear objectives that support the health and well being of our working dogs, as well as the smooth running of the wider team.

This is a hands-on, physical role that involves cleaning, feeding, and exercising dogs in all weather conditions. You must also maintain a good level of physical fitness, as the role involves prolonged periods of standing, walking large distances, and responding quickly to incidents.

To be considered, you must have a background in customer service or security. These environments provide valuable transferable skills—such as staying calm under pressure, following procedures, and communicating effectively—which are essential to success in this position. if you can demonstrate this from past or current experiences, we want to hear from you and see this detailed in your CV.

No animal-handling experience is required, and full training will be provided through a paid, Kennel Assistants course at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

MoD Guard Services is currently undertaking a review of grade structures, pay and conditions, aimed at improving employee experience, wellbeing, and career progression. This review may result in future changes to terms and conditions; however, the requirement for this role remains unchanged.

Job description

The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) provides high quality security services at over 170 MOD sites across the United Kingdom. The MGS has guarded the Defence Estate for over 30 years including high profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London, Whitehall and His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Clyde. We provide access control, military working dogs, control room operations and other security services. We play a vital role supporting the Defence Mission and work to protect the Defence estate and personnel from crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage threats.

The MGS has over 2,700 employees. MGS Security Officers are often the first point of contact for employees, visitors and contractors on sites and we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-focused culture. Behind our operational workforce is a range of head office roles which support our security professionals to develop and execute the organisations strategy, managing its budget and resources, leading, and developing our staff, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating our performance and identifying new opportunities.

All are working towards our Vision to be recognised as an outstanding provider of security services and our five Values underpinning this Vision include:

• Integrity – Always do the right thing. Respect yourself and others. Treat people fairly.
• Vigilance and Preparedness – Keep careful watch for risks and incidents. Be ready to act.
• Professionalism – Know the job thoroughly. Seek continuous improvement. Maintain high standards.
• Helpfulness - Always be ready to assist people. Leave a lasting positive impression.
• Teamwork – Working with colleagues who are collaborative, respectful, open and trustworthy, who are passionate about excellence and protecting Defence.

There are plenty of opportunities for development, access to funded professional qualifications and specialist training. We are a growing organisation with opportunities to progress your security careers and if you align with our Values, we’d love to hear from you!

For more information about MGS, please take a look at Youtube using the links below:

Being a dog handler in the Ministry of Defence Guard Service - https://youtu.be/Xs8lxbhlRiU
Working for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service - https://youtu.be/UrLfy2MZXpg
If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Person specification

Kennel assistants are responsible for supporting the ongoing welfare, care and management of military working dogs, ensuring high standards of animal well being are being consistently maintained.

The key duties are as follows:

• Maintain the highest standards of animal welfare and hygiene in line with the 5 freedoms, including awareness of bio-security and spotting signs of poor health or stress.
• Carry out thorough cleaning of kennels, surrounding kennel areas, and associated equipment, ensuring a consistently high standard of hygiene is maintained.
• Feed and exercise Military Working Dogs at set times, understanding the unique behaviours and needs of each dog. You’ll prepare meals, follow routines, and support dogs of all sizes and temperaments across different terrains.
• Spot and report any health issues or changes in a dog’s behaviour to your Chain of Command and Veterinary Training Squadron without delay.
• Confidently handle, restrain, and assist dogs during veterinary inspections and when giving medication or treatment.
• Play an active role in maintaining a culture of safe working practices, raising concerns or suggestions as soon as they arise.
• Use your time and resources wisely—always looking for ways to improve how we work and deliver value across the Defence estate.
• Attend and successfully complete any relevant military working dog or veterinary related courses as required, with full support to enhance your professional development and contribute to the continual up skilling of our team.

"Please note, due to the nature of this role, individuals who have had a splenectomy are not eligible to apply. This is due to the increased risk of infection associated with the absence of a spleen."

To be considered, you must have a background in customer service or security. These environments provide valuable transferable skills—such as staying calm under pressure, following procedures, and communicating effectively—which are essential to success in this position. If you can demonstrate this from past or current experiences, we want to hear from you and see this detailed in your CV.

Licences

Full UK Manual Driving Licence

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,350, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,054 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time. We believe that if we look after our people, they will be passionate about delivering great things for our customers.

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

The MOD Discover My Benefits page lists the full set of benefits. Some of the many benefits you will receive include:

• A Civil Service pensionwith an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
• A generous annual leave allowance.
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year.
• Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments.
• Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your well being.
• Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and Cafeterias and Shops.
• Entitlement to apply for Blue Light and Defence Discount Cards.
• You will also receive a free MGS Security Uniform.

Please Note:

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.
• 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 CV details to include job history; and previous skills and experience.

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV.

At Interview you will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing

Further information:

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 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.

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.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

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 : MGS RH
• Email : MGS-RH@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

Army candidate information pack Opens in new window (pdf, 3851kB)Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)Defence Civil Servant Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)