Devonport Explosives Assurance Support Officer - Navy Command

UK Ministry of Defence; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Ministry of Defence is seeking a Devonport Explosives Assurance Support Officer to oversee explosives safety at Devonport Naval Base. This role involves coordinating safety activities, monitoring compliance, and managing documentation related to explosives. The position offers a competitive salary, flexible working options, and opportunities for professional development within a supportive environment.

Benefits

Flexible working options

Excellent annual leave

Competitive pension scheme

Qualifications

• Experience in explosives safety management.
• Ability to work in a risk-based environment.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office software.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate all activities affecting Explosives Safety.
• Monitor explosives movements and compliance.
• Conduct inspections and audits as directed.

Skills

Effective decision making

Risk management

Communication

Education

Relevant experience or qualification in Ordnance, Munitions & Explosives

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

HMNB Devonport, Plymouth, PL2 2BG

Job Summary

Devonport Naval Base is the largest Naval Base in Europe. It is a 650 acre site with 15,000 acres of water space, employing 12,000 people on site. The Base is primarily focused on delivering timely deep maintenance to the UK’s submarine fleet. It is also the operating home base for frigates, amphibious Ships, Royal Marines. It employs more than 10% of Plymouth’s workforce and contributes to 14% of Plymouth’s economy.

Devonport Naval Base is the nerve centre for the Royal Navy in the South West. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, submarines, people, and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. Its mission is to meet the support and operating requirements for the Naval Service and UK’s allies, from the South West, reaching worldwide.

The unique opportunities offered within are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command’s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future. Navy Command provides an open, flexible and supportive work environment and Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines, from finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning, operations and managing contracts, to media and communications.

The MOD provides an excellent opportunity to develop skills through personal development and offers flexible working, excellent annual leave and maternity allowances and a very competitive pension scheme.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Flexible working is available by agreement with the line manager, but due to the nature of the role, candidates must be prepared to spend the majority of their time on site (Civil Service expectation is 60% presence in office per week).

Reasonable Adjustment

To ensure that no one is put at a disadvantage during the recruitment process due to disability, condition or impairment, our intent is to reduce or remove any barriers where possible and provide additional support where appropriate both during this recruitment process and in the role once a suitable candidate has been appointed. Therefore, if you feel you would wish to discuss any reasonable adjustment either as part of this recruitment process or if you were to be appointed in the role being advertised, please do so with the recruiting line manager.

Job Description

Primary Purpose

Devonport Explosives Assurance Support Officer (DEASO) is responsible for co-ordinating all activities to or affecting Explosives Safety that are carried out within the Naval Base Commander (Devonport) (NBC (D))’s area of responsibility and advising DESA of the appropriate standards, current regulation, and best practice.

To support DESA in the conduct of active Explosive Safety (ES) Assurance monitoring during Devonport surface or submarine vessels and enabling ammunitioning serials. This will require attendance as directed.

To co-ordinate reports on the conduct observed during ammunitioning serials at berths and buoys to Fleet Explosives Staff Officers.

To monitor all explosives movements within the Naval Base and to regularly visit the Potential Explosion Sites (PES) to assure:

Continual compliance with ES regulation.

Monitor population levels in buildings adjacent to PESs or within distances specified by the licence and notify of any changes.

Monitor encroachments to PESs within distances specified by the licence of buildings, temporary structures, facilities or activities that may compromise explosive licences or Warships In Harbour (WIH) berth categorisation.

To provide documentary and material support to the DESAG team to ensure that the Explosive Safety Management System (incorporating the Explosives Safety (ES) principles of BRd 862, FLAGO’s SEXSSI’s, ESTC leaflets, DSA03 OME Part 1 & 2, Defence Safety Authority (DSA) documents) and JSP440 are maintained and advise the Group of any changes / updates.

Manage the DESAG Explosives Store House and ammunition holdings as per DSA 03 OME Part 2.

To conduct Building Controller Duties for BP017, BP028, BP054, BP054K, BP059 and the Mobile Ammunition Inspection Facility (MAIF).

To conduct office management duties, coordinate weekly DESAG meetings record minutes, manage office records and files, review group mandatory training periodically and monitor the team Multiuser email account.

Manage the administration of DESAG duty vehicle and trailer, including the DPF journey, vehicle inspections and disseminations of related MT communications and policy updates where required as Nominated Responsible Person for a Vehicle (NRPV).

When suitably experienced participate in a roster of DESAG staff for on call purposes during silent hours to attend explosives Accidents / Incidents.

Undertake as directed, other activities in support of DESAG functions.

Secondary Purpose

• To maintain a Certified Free From Explosives (CFFE) Register for the Naval Base, CFFE display and demonstration items, issue new certificates and bring to the attention of any anomalies.
• Assist the Group with Emergency Planning and Exercise preparation.
• Assist DESA with PES Inspections.
• Support DESO with 'Can Customer Accept' (CCA) system for the movement of explosives items into the NB.
• Assist Group during Range activities.
• Attend meetings as required.
• Maintain role Desk Top Instructions.
  
  

Responsibilities

The post holder must adhere to the NBC(D) Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Authority

DEASO is authorised to take such action as is necessary to execute their responsibilities and carry out defined tasks within specified time and financial constraints and strictly i.a.w. DESAG procedures and professional policies and practices.

DEASO is authorised to liaise with Navy Command, FLEET Exp, Platform Authorities, regulatory Authorities, NB Lodger units and DRDL (Babcock).

Conduct inspections, advisory visits and audits as directed by DESA.

Stop any explosives related work or activity, which they believe is likely to cause injury or harm to personnel, the environment and/or breach Explosives Safety Regulations.

Responsibilities

The post holder must adhere to the NBC(D) Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Authority

DEASO is authorised to take such action as is necessary to execute their responsibilities and carry out defined tasks within specified time and financial constraints and strictly i.a.w. DESAG procedures and professional policies and practices.

DEASO is authorised to liaise with Navy Command, FLEET Exp, Platform Authorities, regulatory Authorities, NB Lodger units and DRDL (Babcock).

Conduct inspections, advisory visits and audits as directed by DESA.

Stop any explosives related work or activity, which they believe is likely to cause injury or harm to personnel, the environment and/or breach Explosives Safety Regulations.

Person specification

The successful candidate will need to be comfortable within a risk based environment, effective decision making, thirst for continuous improvement and effectively implemented change would be advantageous.

The successful candidate should have relevant experience or qualification in Ordnance, Munitions & Explosives.

Desirable awareness of DSA 03 OME, Explosives Regulation 2014 and JSP 375.

Training can and will be provided for the right candidate in areas that are not demonstrated.

This is a very exciting opportunity to become central to the successful operation of the Naval Base and is a great opportunity to build a career in the OME sector.

Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) is essential.

The postholder must adhere to the NBC(D) Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
  
  

Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 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 employer contribution of 28.97%
• 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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

At sift, candidates will be assessed against their CV and the following Behaviours:

• Communicating and influencing
• Making effective decisions
• Delivering at pace
  
  

At interview, candidates will be assessed against the following Behaviours:

• Communicating and influencing
• Making effective decisions
• Delivering at pace
  
  

Further Information:

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.

Sift & Interview to be held at HMNB Devonport, dates TBC.

Selection of a successful candidate will be by the review of application forms submitted, and by interview performance. These will take into account evidence supplied by the candidates of good Civil Service Behaviours and demonstration of relevant professional experience and aptitude for the role.

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: [e-mail] .

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : Ian Armsby
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: [e-mail].