Specialist Instructional Officer (SIO) Mechanical

at  Ministry of Defence

JOB SUMMARY

Have you considered teaching in a dynamic, inclusive engineering training environment? Do you have the expertise to deliver the foundation principles of mechanical engineering within the thrilling context of the Royal Air Force’s ground engineering profession? If so, we have a fantastic opportunity for you to join a modern teaching organisation dedicated to shaping the future of Defence engineering.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
A webinar will be scheduled towards the beginning of Sep to further explain the role and to answer any questions you might have. If you are interested in attending this, please get in touch with Sqn Ldr Neil Lewis, details of which can be found at the end of this advert.

JOB DESCRIPTION

You will join the Defence College of Technical Training (DCTT) and will play a vital role in developing training programs designed to transform RAF personnel into competent and inspired mechanical technicians.
The successful candidates will be responsible for the theoretical and practical instruction of Military students within the fields of Ground Support Equipment and Military Transport. However, plant or vehicle experience is also relevant.

As an SIO, you will be specifically responsible for;

• Delivering training and lessons.
• Producing lesson plans and supporting course materials to support student centric learning in accordance with JSP 822.
• Participating in internal and external evaluation audits as required in accordance with the School’s Training Procedures Manual.
• Ensuring that the conduct, punctuality, discipline and dress standards of all students meet the required standards.
• Integrating Literacy and Numeracy into lessons.
• Ensuring all students are given a safety brief on their training environment and they observe relevant fire, health and safety precautions and evacuation procedures.
• Making an active contribution to the Continuous Improvement of the School and its outputs, by proactively highlighting potential improvements through the Training Squadron line management chain.
• Making ample preparations before starting an instructional period to ensuring that training areas and resources (tools, hand-outs, training aids etc.) are in an acceptable and safe condition, with any deficiencies reported through the chain of command.
• Ensuring that any mandatory course documentation is completed within 5 working days of completing the phase in accordance with training quality manual (TQM).
• Undertake a minimum of 5 hours Continuous Professional Development (CPD) per annum to address developmental goals.
• Ensuring compliance with personal responsibilities to students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD).
• Undertaking additional lessons for the trainees, either as Additional Trade Training (ATT) or Extra Trade Training (ETT).
• Acting as a Role Model ensuring that the highest standards of behaviour are maintained in accordance with the Defence Trainer Code of Conduct & Civil Service Code of Conduct.
• Ensuring that supervision ratios of staff to students conform to the requirements and any concerns regarding safety of students are highlighted through their chain of command.
• Monitoring student welfare and managing any concerns through the chain of command in accordance with 4SofTT Supervisory Care Directive.
• Remaining current in Instructional Techniques (IT), and personally arranging for IT and lesson Content Monitoring (CM) observations to be undertaken by Learning Support staff within the school.
• Ensuring that any concessions or specialist requirements are carried out when acting as an examination invigilator.
• Assisting the Examinations Manager to review any examination questions that are not valid and highlighting any discrepancies where evident.
• Ensuring conformity to authorised specifications, with any discrepancies highlighted via line management in accordance with Joint Services Publication (JSP) 822 - Defence Policy
• The Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers a range of flexibilities to enable a better work-life balance for employees. Alternative Working Patterns, in accordance with policy, can be considered where it can be accommodated by the business, but there may be occasions when a presence on site during standard working hours may be required. All working patterns and flexibilities are subject to agreement with the Line Manager.

TECHNICAL SKILLS

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

• Sit a mechanical engineering trade multiple-choice examination paper from the appropriate TG5 mechanical engineering syllabus
• Deliver a 15–20-minute presentation as a lesson on a TG5 mechanical engineering subject which will be stipulated if invited for interview.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,641 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• A Flexi-time scheme (on successful completion of probationary period that supports a better work-life balance).
• 25 days paid annual leave rising by 1 day per completed year of service to a maximum 30 days.
• Eight public holidays per year, plus leave for HM The King’s birthday.
• Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year.
• Special Paid Leave for other volunteer duties.
• A wide range of Defence Discounts – such as Healthcare, Insurance, Motoring, company discounts with Virgin, Vodafone, and Microsoft Office to name a few. Search Discover my Benefits to explore your benefits.
• Advance of pay to purchase travel season tickets or ‘cycle to work’ scheme (upon completion of 6 months service).
• In year rewards and ‘thank you’ schemes.
• Over 60 growing staff Networks to join.
• Enhanced parental and adoption leave.
• Employee Assistance Programme to support your wellbeing.
• Access to learning and development tailored to your role and career aspirations.
• Free on-site gymnasium, Cardiovascular, Strength and conditioning outdoor sports facilities.
• On-site shop/cafe facilities.
• Free onsite parking.

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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know

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)

As an SIO, you will be specifically responsible for;

• Delivering training and lessons.
• Producing lesson plans and supporting course materials to support student centric learning in accordance with JSP 822.
• Participating in internal and external evaluation audits as required in accordance with the School’s Training Procedures Manual.
• Ensuring that the conduct, punctuality, discipline and dress standards of all students meet the required standards.
• Integrating Literacy and Numeracy into lessons.
• Ensuring all students are given a safety brief on their training environment and they observe relevant fire, health and safety precautions and evacuation procedures.
• Making an active contribution to the Continuous Improvement of the School and its outputs, by proactively highlighting potential improvements through the Training Squadron line management chain.
• Making ample preparations before starting an instructional period to ensuring that training areas and resources (tools, hand-outs, training aids etc.) are in an acceptable and safe condition, with any deficiencies reported through the chain of command.
• Ensuring that any mandatory course documentation is completed within 5 working days of completing the phase in accordance with training quality manual (TQM).
• Undertake a minimum of 5 hours Continuous Professional Development (CPD) per annum to address developmental goals.
• Ensuring compliance with personal responsibilities to students with Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD).
• Undertaking additional lessons for the trainees, either as Additional Trade Training (ATT) or Extra Trade Training (ETT).
• Acting as a Role Model ensuring that the highest standards of behaviour are maintained in accordance with the Defence Trainer Code of Conduct & Civil Service Code of Conduct.
• Ensuring that supervision ratios of staff to students conform to the requirements and any concerns regarding safety of students are highlighted through their chain of command.
• Monitoring student welfare and managing any concerns through the chain of command in accordance with 4SofTT Supervisory Care Directive.
• Remaining current in Instructional Techniques (IT), and personally arranging for IT and lesson Content Monitoring (CM) observations to be undertaken by Learning Support staff within the school.
• Ensuring that any concessions or specialist requirements are carried out when acting as an examination invigilator.
• Assisting the Examinations Manager to review any examination questions that are not valid and highlighting any discrepancies where evident.
• Ensuring conformity to authorised specifications, with any discrepancies highlighted via line management in accordance with Joint Services Publication (JSP) 822 - Defence Policy
• The Ministry of Defence (MOD) offers a range of flexibilities to enable a better work-life balance for employees. Alternative Working Patterns, in accordance with policy, can be considered where it can be accommodated by the business, but there may be occasions when a presence on site during standard working hours may be required. All working patterns and flexibilities are subject to agreement with the Line Manager