Contract: 37 hours per week (plus occasional duty periods out of hours), 3 years, Full Mobility Commitment
Security clearance: NSV Security Check and Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check
Closing date: 10/11/25
All offers of employment are subject to UK security clearance. To gain this clearance applicants normally need at least five years’ UK residency.
Overview
The ZigZag Career Pathway is an innovative Defence initiative that offers novel ways of entry into the Armed Forces. It’s a pilot programme that opens the door for people from a range of backgrounds to apply their professional skills in meaningful Defence roles.
This opportunity is open to civilians, veterans and reservists. Whether you’ve never served before or are looking to return, the ZigZag Career Pathway offers you the chance to work in fixed term military roles that are matched to your qualifications and experience.
ZigZag roles may be offered with a range of mobility commitments. Successful candidates will be supported with tailored onboarding, the right level of training, and a structured and supported induction into the Armed Forces environment.
Within the Royal Air Force, the Physical Training Instructor (PTI) Specialisation forms part of the People Operations Profession. The specialisation ensures that our people are physically prepared and operationally ready to meet the demands of military service by delivering fitness training, promoting health and wellbeing, and supporting physical resilience.
The role
As an RAF Physical Training Instructor (PTI) at Royal Air Force (RAF) Coningsby you will be responsible for delivering and managing physical training programmes to enhance the fitness, resilience, and operational readiness of personnel. You will also play a key role in promoting health and wellbeing initiatives and maintaining fitness facilities to support the overall morale and effectiveness of the Station.
Key Responsibilities
* Organisation, promotion & delivery of physical training, health and wellbeing.
* Conduct the Royal Air Force Fitness Test (RAFFT) and Rockport Walk as well as assisting with Army, Royal Navy & Royal Marine fitness testing.
* Organise sporting and adventure activities.
* Support the organisation and delivery of specialised training activities, such as Survive, Evade, Resist, Extract (SERE) drills and Force Development (FD).
* Delivery of the Aircrew Conditioning Programme (ACP), including testing, exercise prescription, guidance and advice.
* Provide administrative support, including managing Heat Acclimatisation Training (HAT) documentation.
* Care & maintenance of the Station Gym and other facilities run by the Physical Education Flight submitting maintenance requests & keeping up-to-date records.
About You
The successful applicant should be able to demonstrate the following requirements:
* You will need GCSE at Grade C/4 or Scottish National 5 grade C in English Language and Mathematics.
* Be on the Register for the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) for accreditation (other governing bodies will be considered however must be part of CIMSPA before phase 2 training commences).
* Be in possession of a Level 3 Personal Trainer Award registered with CIMSPA or other governing bodies (must be accredited by CIMSPA before phase 2 training commences)
* Be able to demonstrate the delivery of group physical education classes and have two years-experience teaching physical education within the last five years.
* Be able to swim competently 50m Backstroke, Breaststroke and Front Crawl, tread water for two minutes, and deep dive to apx. 3 metres.
Salary & benefits
* Salary: £34,554 – £39,565 per year. Candidates without previous military experience will need to complete ten weeks of residential training (salary reduced to between £22,999 – £26,334 pro rata during training). Further Training maybe required depending on Candidates skills and experience.
* Pension: automatic enrolment in the non-contributory Armed Forces Pension Scheme 2015 (optout available).
* Leave: 30 days’ annual leave plus eight UK bank holidays.
* Other benefits: Free medical and dental care, childcare benefits, enhanced parental leave packages, and flexible service arrangements.
Application process
* Application: submit a CV via the SERVE portal. Eligibility checks are completed, and applications are sifted for suitability.
* Interview: shortlisted candidates are invited to an interview covering technical skills, qualifications and suitability for military service (command, leadership and management experience).
* Medical Assessment: all candidates must pass a medical screening.
* Offer: successful candidates receive terms and conditions, and a job offer letter.
Don’t meet all the requirements? Get in touch anyway – we are keen to hear from talented individuals from diverse backgrounds. For questions or more information, contact: People-Tx-ZigZagCareers@mod.gov.uk
Candidate Pack
ZigZag Information Pack.pdf – 540KB