Length of employment: Job Summary: The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 12,000 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. The Defence Animal Training Regiment (DATR) delivers animal handling training for more than 400 personnel and role specific training for hundreds of Animals per year. The unit is a joint service establishment with serving personnel from several Army regiments and the RAF Police. Comprising of Canine, Equine and Veterinary squadrons this post provides an opportunity to work in an environment like no other! The Canine Training Squadron trains approximately 130 Military Working Dogs and 240 students each year. Senior Instructional Officers are part of the team training the next generation of dog handlers, supervisors, and caregivers- do you want to make a difference in Defence? Please note: Due to the nature of working with Military Working Dogs (MWDs) working from home is non-applicable for this role. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job Description: We are seeking a highly capable and motivated instructor to deliver high quality training to civilian and military personnel in the handling and maintenance of Military Working Dogs (MWDs), with strong communication ability, flexibility, and a dedication to customer service. This work is to be conducted in all weather conditions and is physically demanding. Key responsibilities: You will instruct the feeding, welfare, and exercise of canines. Delivering basic veterinary care as well as the safe operation of both Detection and Protection Dogs. You will maintain and develop the standards of the dogs used to support each training course. This work is to be conducted in all weather conditions and can be physically demanding. Training can be provided in house, should you need to learn a new classification of dog. We will also train you to meet the MODs standards of instruction to provide the best possible learning experience for our students! 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 - Pension contribution: 28.97% - 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. 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. Essential skills required: A highly motivated instructor. The ability to deliver high quality training. Strong communication skills. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Ability to adopt a flexible approach as the situation demands. A dedication to customer service. Desirable skills: The following qualifications are highly desirable but if you do not have them but can demonstrate equivalent training then you will be considered for the role. RAVC Dog Trainer Class One/Military Working Dog Trainers Qualification (MWDTQ) or RAF equivalent. Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) qualification or ACPO certification. The National Association of Security Dog Users handler or trainer qualification. A member of The National Canine Training and Accreditation Scheme At application stage you will be assessed against the following: Personal Statement (500 words max) explaining your suitability for the role including evidence against the personal specification. Behaviours Communicating & Influencing Leadership Applications will be sifted using the Behaviours and Personal Statement that have been chosen for this campaign, but in the event of there being a high number of applications, a sift will be conducted on the lead behaviour 'Communicating & Influencing' only. 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. At interview stage you will be assessed against the following: Presentation - If you are successful at application stage you will be expected to deliver a 15-minute presentation on the day of the interview to demonstrate that you have the potential to be an Specialist Instructional Officer. The subject matter will be disclosed upon invite to interview, but it will be about working dogs. Personal Statement - Experience questions will be asked at interview. Behaviours Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Working Together Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. 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. 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.