National Firearms Instructor

Job summary

The National Firearms Instructor is a key role within the National Crime Agency's Special Operations Unit, which delivers specialist surveillance, firearms, dogs and specialist evidence recovery to support investigative capabilities, delivering on the Agency’s operational and strategic priorities. The post holder is responsible for supporting and enhancing the NCA's armed capability through the design, development and delivery of firearms training that meets national and organisational standards. Working in accordance with the standards set by the NCA Chief Firearms Instructor, the College of Policing and the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC), the National Firearms Instructor ensures that all training is delivered in line with the Authorised Professional Practice for Armed Policing and contributes directly to the achievement of the Agency's strategic objectives.

Job description

The role involves delivering high quality firearms training to both operationally competent and trainee Officers from across a range of specialist disciplines, including Armed Surveillance, Basic MASTS (Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance), Armed Rural and Armed Motorcyclist. Acting as both Course Director and in support roles across firearms training programmes, the National Firearms Instructor plans, designs and delivers training in accordance with the Annual Firearms Training Plan, NPFTC requirements and relevant Armed Firearms Officer role profiles. The post holder applies appropriate assessment strategies to evaluate learning outcomes, operational competence and officer development, ensuring consistent adherence to national standards and Agency expectations.

The National Firearms Instructor is responsible for the effective administration and governance of firearms training activity, including the completion and submission of pre-training documentation in line with the Agency's firearms training assurance and health check processes. Following training delivery, the post holder manages and submits all required evaluation and assessment documentation to the Chief Firearms Instructor, ensuring complete and accurate records are maintained for Officers undertaking firearms related training. The role also supports the continuous professional development of both Officers, and yourself, identifying opportunities to enhance operational capability, knowledge and performance.

A significant aspect of the role involves coaching, mentoring and developing individuals and teams, creating an environment that promotes learning, professionalism and operational excellence. The post holder provides constructive feedback, manages training performance issues where appropriate and addresses performance and conduct matters in accordance with Agency policies, values and professional standards. Through effective facilitation and engagement, the National Firearms Instructor helps Officers develop the competence, confidence and decision-making skills required to perform safely and effectively in armed operational environments.

The role contributes to the ongoing development and evaluation of firearms tactics, equipment and training methodologies to ensure they remain effective and aligned with operational requirements and emerging threats. Working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders, the post holder supports the development of tactics and capabilities that meet the needs of armed Officers operating within the framework of the Agency's Armed Policing Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment.

In addition to instructional responsibilities, the National Firearms Instructor maintains operational competence and may deploy as a Firearms Officer, Operational Firearms Commander or Tactical Advisor, in accordance with their qualifications and training, in support of NCA firearms operations. This operational credibility enables the post holder to bring current experience and practical expertise into the training environment, ensuring that learning remains relevant, realistic and aligned to operational demands.

The National Firearms Instructor is expected to uphold the highest standards of safety, professionalism and integrity in all aspects of their work. They ensure that firearms training is conducted in full compliance with Agency health and safety policies and procedures, actively promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring risks are appropriately identified, managed and mitigated. Through the delivery of high quality training, effective coaching and operational expertise, the post holder plays a critical role in developing and sustaining the NCA's armed capability.

The post holder will be expected to travel nationally to deliver training to teams across England and Wales. Candidates must be willing and able to travel extensively as required, including overnight stays.

Duties and Responsibilities

Delivery of Firearms Training - Deliver firearms training and assessment to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) in line with national and Agency standards.

Lead Trainer for Specialist Capability Areas - Lead the development, quality assurance and delivery of designated firearms training disciplines.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management - Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support training objectives.

Design and Development of Firearms Training Programmes - Design, develop and review firearms training packages in accordance with NPFTC, APP AP and Agency requirements.

Subject Matter Expertise and Single Point of Contact Responsibilities - Act as the subject matter expert and point of contact for designated areas of firearms training.

Training Records and Assurance Management - Maintain accurate and auditable training records, ensuring documentation is completed and recorded within Chronicle.

Person specification

Training Delivery and Development - Plans, designs, delivers and evaluates firearms training to national and Agency standards, ensuring Officers develop and maintain operational competence.

Leadership - Leads by example, promotes professional standards and Agency values, and inspires confidence, performance and continuous improvement in others.

Operational Delivery - Supports the effective delivery of firearms training and operational capability, ensuring activities align with organisational priorities and operational requirements.

Problem Solving and Decision Making - Analyses complex situations, exercises sound judgement and makes informed decisions to achieve safe, effective and proportionate outcomes.

Communication - Communicates clearly and effectively through written and verbal methods, adapting style to engage, influence and instruct a range of audiences.

Relationship Management - Builds and maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support operational objectives and enhance organisational capability.

Teamwork and Collaboration - Works collaboratively with colleagues and partners, sharing knowledge and expertise to achieve collective goals and deliver high quality outcomes.

Time Management and Organisation - Effectively prioritises workload, manages competing demands and delivers tasks to agreed deadlines and standards, escalating issues where appropriate.

Licences

Full UK or International Driving Licence - Candidates must hold a valid driving licence permitting them to drive a car in the UK. This may include a full UK driving licence or an appropriate international driving licence recognised for use in the UK, as the role requires regular travel to operational deployments and visits across the country.

Qualifications

Police National Firearms Instructor Accreditation - Must hold current accreditation as a Police National Firearms Instructor (PNFI).

Surveillance Qualification - Must be a qualified and accredited Surveillance Operative to College of Policing Q1/Q100 standards or be Surveillance Firearms Integrated Course (SFIC) qualified to College of Policing Q8/Q800 standards.

Operational Competence - Must hold a current and operationally deployable Authorised Firearms Officer accreditation in College of Policing Basic or Standard Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MASTS) or be able to demonstrate significant training experience of MASTS.

Medical Qualification - Must hold and maintain a current D13 Enhanced Authorised Firearms Officer medical qualification.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Recent experience of designing and delivering training to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), including tactical training involving subjects on foot, in vehicles and within structures, in accordance with NPFTC standards and operational requirements.
• A clear theoretical and practical working knowledge of the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC).
• Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring its success.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,526, National Crime Agency contributes £16,085 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).

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

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, Experience and Technical skills.Your application will be assessed against the following:Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Recent experience of designing and delivering training to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), including tactical training involving subjects on foot, in vehicles and within structures, in accordance with NPFTC standards and operational requirements.

• A clear theoretical and practical working knowledge of the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC).

• Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring its success.

Experience - This will be assessed:

CV

Please include your full career history, training, qualifications, key responsibilities, and achievements. Explain any employment gaps in the last two years. Ensure all accreditation dates are accurate.

Details of what is expected within your CV are as follows: Please provide a CV that clearly demonstrates how you meet the Person Specification and the Essential/Desirable Criteria for the role.
Your CV should include a full employment history including dates, details of any career breaks or gaps in employment, all relevant education, professional qualifications, accreditations, licences and training.
Please ensure that all accreditation, qualification and certification dates are accurate and current, as these may be subject to verification.
To enable a fair and consistent assessment process, CVs should be concise and focused on relevant experience, be formatted in 11pt font, and must not exceed TWO pages. Please note that any content beyond the second page will not be considered as part of the assessment.

A panel will assess how well your application demonstrates the requirements outlined above.

Longlist

In the event of a high number of applications, we may operate a longlist. Applicants will need to meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria.

- Recent experience of designing and delivering training to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), including tactical training involving subjects on foot, in vehicles and within structures, in accordance with NPFTC standards and operational requirements. .

Candidates who do not meet the minimum pass mark for the lead criteria will not progress to having their other criteria assessed. Applications must meet the minimum criteria to be progressed to the assessment stage.

You will receive an acknowledgement once your application is submitted.

We aim to have sift completed and scores released within 10 working days of the closing date of the advert. For high volume campaigns this timeframe may be extended.

Scores will be provided but further feedback will not be available at this stage.

For guidance on the application process, visit:
NCA Applying and Onboarding

Assessment 1

The format of this assessment will be Interview which will be tested on the criteria listed in the Success Profiles at Assessment section.

Success Profiles at Assessment

Behaviours

• Leadership

• Delivering at Pace

Technical

• Recent experience of designing and delivering training to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), including tactical training involving subjects on foot, in vehicles and within structures, in accordance with NPFTC standards and operational requirements.

• A clear theoretical and practical working knowledge of the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC).

• Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring its success.

Assessment OutcomeOutcomes will be communicated via the NCA recruitment portal.
If successful but no role is immediately available, you may be placed on a reserve list for 12 months.
Reserve lists can be used to fill similar role types across the Agency where the assessment criteria is considered a match by the recruitment team and the business area.

In the event of a tie at the assessment stage, available roles will be offered in merit order using the following order:

1. Lead criteria (behaviours/technical/experience)
2. If still tied, desirable criteria will be assessed (if advertised)
3. If still tied, application sift scores will be used

Feedback is provided only to those who attend an assessment.You will be subject to vetting and pre-employment checks before appointment.Once the vacancy closes, the advert will no longer be accessible. Please save a copy for your records. We encourage all candidates to visit the NCA Careers Page for more information.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

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 : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk
• Telephone : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : central.recruitment@nca.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe your application has not been treated fairly, email: Central.Recruitment@nca.gov.uk (quoting the vacancy reference).
If unresolved, you may escalate your complaint to the Civil Service Commission.