Army - Senior Instructor - Canine

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.

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.

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.

• 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 MOD's 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.

• 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.

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.

• 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.

• 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 a 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.

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.

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.