Specialist Instructional Officer - Aeronautical Engineering

Job summary

Have you considered teaching in an exciting inclusive aircraft engineering training environment? Are you a qualified Aircraft Engineer or an experienced Engineer who can transfer your skills to deliver Aeronautical Engineering training to the next generations of RAF Engineers? Do you have the desire and ability to learn new trade knowledge within the aircraft discipline? Would you relish the prospect of working alongside military, civilian and commercial partners for the benefit of Defence? Do you want to be part of a team who are encouraged to develop new insights and be innovative in the way we deliver our business? Then you are just the person we are looking for.

The Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering instructional staff are a whole force team comprising of Regular RAF personnel and Civil Service Instructors, responsible for delivering world class technical training, across Avionics, Mechanical, Weapons, and Survival Equipment specialisms, to a broad audience of students from a diverse population to a varied training curriculum. You will be a Specialist Instructional Officer (SIO) at Executive Officer grade and will be required to develop and deliver technical training to Phase 2 (Initial Technical) and Phase 3 (Pre-employment Career development) trainees who are either beginning their Service careers or undertaking promotion training for specific roles. The SIO roles are incredibly interesting and rewarding opportunities for resolute and focused Civil Servants to shape and nurture the next generation of Engineers and enhance the skill sets of personnel returning as Phase 3 students for additional training.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

This exciting opportunity at the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE) at RAF Cosford is for two SIO positions. These roles are ideal for individuals passionate about becoming training specialists and contributing to the development of RAF Aircraft Engineers. The positions involve conducting training programmes, in accordance with governing policy and processes, to enhance workplace performance, confidence, and service core values.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct training needs assessments.
• Develop and deliver theoretical and practical training.
• Use modern learning methods in a well-supported training environment.
• Deliver training in both classroom and practical settings, utilising Ground Training Aids such as Jaguar Aircraft, Practical Simulators, and Virtual Training Aids.
• Assess group skills and knowledge to determine training needs and foster individual growth.

Ideal Candidate:

• Engineering background with a Level 3 qualification in Aircraft Engineering or Engineering equivalent with transferable skills.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain complex engineering concepts to a diverse audience.
• Able to learn complex engineering systems.
• Organised and proficient in time management.
• Confident in public speaking.
• Capable of being both strategic and reactive in training delivery.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to work in a dynamic environment, contributing to the professional development of RAF Aircraft Engineers.

Teaching experience would be beneficial, but full training to enable successful technicians and engineers to transition to a teaching environment will be provided.

Please be aware that successful candidates for the SIO (EO Grade) positions are required to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (Formally Criminal Records Bureau CRB) clearances.

Person specification

The role of the instructor at the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE) involves a range of responsibilities aimed at delivering high-quality technical training and supporting the development of RAF aeronautical engineers. Below is a summary of the primary duties:

Primary Duties:

1. Training Delivery:

   • Deliver technical training (theory and practical) to City & Guilds Apprenticeship Level 3 standards.

2. Student Performance:

   • Prepare reports on students’ academic and behavioural performance.
   • Conduct and assess practical evaluations, including marking and recording results.

3. Training Materials:

   • Develop and manage training documents and delivery media.
   • Propose improvements to training design and content to enhance effectiveness.

4. Course Administration:

   • Perform general course administration tasks to ensure smooth operation.

5. Support Duties:

   • Provide additional support crucial for the safe conduct of training and the welfare of students.

6. Flexibility and Development:

   • Diversify into other trade-related specialisms after receiving suitable training.
   • Contribute to building business resilience and increasing organisational capability.

This role offers a dynamic and rewarding opportunity for individuals passionate about education and engineering, with the chance to make a meaningful impact on the development of RAF personnel while enhancing their own skills and expertise.

Qualifications

Level 3 in Aircraft Engineering or Engineering Equivalent

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• SI-2. Delivery of Specialist Instruction

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Professional and Personal development of skills

• Learning and development tailored to your role

• An environment with flexible working options

• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service.

• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The Kings birthday.

• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

• Access to RAF Cosford sport and leisure facilities, subject to completion of the local registration/induction process and payment of a low annual fee.

• Easily accessible road/rail links.

• Free on-site car parking.

• On-site shop/café facilities, including Starbucks and Greggs.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

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

Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. (500 Words)

At sift, you will be assessed against your CV and Statement of suitability and the following:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

At interview, you will be assessed against the following:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Working Together
• Changing and Improving

Technical Skills:

• SI-2. Delivery of Specialist Instruction

These vacancies use Success Profiles and will assess your behaviours, experience, knowledge, and skills. Selection will be through a formal behaviour interview, delivery of a presentation (10 minutes) by the candidate on a subject relevant to the post and a trade competency examination.

Unsuccessful candidates at the sift stage will not be provided with feedback. Feedback will only be provided if selected to attend an interview for the position advertised.

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.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 : Mrs Carolyn Davies
• Email : carolyn.davies121@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

Specialist_Instructional_Officer (3) (1) Opens in new window (pdf, 217kB)20230201-Air Command Applicant Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 499kB)Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (docx, 31kB)Defence Civil Service Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB)