AAIB Operations Officer in Aldershot

Can you communicate effectively in writing and on the telephone? Do you work well under pressure and to tight deadlines? Have you got a great eye for detail when reviewing data and documents? If so, we’d love to hear from you!

The Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) is part of the Department for Transport (DfT). Its purpose is to ‘Improve aviation safety by determining the causes of air accidents and serious incidents and making safety recommendations intended to prevent recurrence.’ The AAIB investigates accidents and serious incidents to civil aircraft in the UK (including its Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies) and overseas where there is a UK interest. The AAIB is also the UK Authority for the investigation of spaceflight accidents (SAIA), authorised to conduct safety investigations when there are space flights in or over the UK.

Joining our department comes with many benefits, including:

• Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary.
• 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave), plus 8 bank holidays and a privilege day for the King’s birthday.
• Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.

Find out more about what it’s like working at the AAIB and the Department for Transport.

Role and Responsibilities

As a member of the AAIB’s Operations Centre team of six, you will work closely with AAIB Inspectors and support staff responding to notifications of air accidents and serious incidents and support the investigation lifecycle throughout the various stages. Your responsibilities will include, but aren’t limited to:

• Ensuring accident and incident notifications are received, logged, and processed promptly and effectively, supporting Duty Co-ordinators and liaising with external stakeholders as required.
• Conducting follow-up activities to gather crucial information for decision-making on accident/serious incident response, co-ordinating with relevant parties.
• Maintaining and quality checking case-related information entered into the AAIB’s case management system.
• Facilitating the deployment of investigation teams by co-ordinating early engagement with key stakeholders across the aviation sector, emergency services, and the international investigation community.
• Ensuring the 24 hrs AAIB accident and serious incident reporting line is staffed during office hours, remaining flexible to work outside the standard Operations Centre hours (0830 hrs – 1700 hrs) to support operational activity.
• Working closely with Principal Inspectors (and wider inspectorate) directly supporting investigations managing statutory report consultation and pre-publication activity.
• Co-ordinating travel and accommodation arrangements for deployments and investigation related and other routine trips.
• Supporting stakeholder visits to the AAIB and providing briefings on work.
• Supporting victim and family liaison activity as required.

Due to the nature of AAIB operations, the successful candidate will be exposed to information and material including imagery (video and photographs) which may be distressing. They will also be required to speak with potentially traumatised accident victims, bereaved family members and witnesses. It is essential that candidates take these requirements into consideration before applying for the post. Applicants will be required to participate in a wellbeing and traumatic stress discussion as part of the recruitment process. Potential applicants are welcome to contact the AAIB for further information.

For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process.