PC- Accredited National Firearms Instructor (Transferee)

Avon and Somerset Police; Portishead; On-site; GBP 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Relocation allowance

Job summary

Avon and Somerset Police is seeking an experienced PC Accredited National Firearms Instructor to join the Black Rock Specialist Training Centre in Portishead. The role involves designing and delivering firearms training across NPFTC standards, maintaining training records, and assessing officers.

A 10‑hour shift pattern and health screening are expected, with an IOSH qualification to be obtained within 24 months.

Qualifications

• Must be an experienced National Firearms Instructor.
• No live written improvement notices under Police Regulations in last 18 months.
• No live written warnings or extended warnings under Police Regulations.

Responsibilities

• Research, design and deliver training events and courses per NPFTC.
• Maintain firearms training records and issue/withdraw authorisation permits.
• Carry out risk assessments and ensure Health and Safety compliance.
• Develop and assess Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO) for continued suitability.
• Maintain training equipment and ranges and related gear.

Skills

National Firearms Instructor

Training delivery

Firearms tactics

Job description

PC- Accredited National Firearms Instructor (Transferee)

Role type Transferee Campaign

Permanent

Contract type Full Time

Department Blackrock Specialist Training Centre

Location Portishead , Blackrock Training Centre- BS20 8JY

Rank Constable

Grade/scale PC

Please note, if this is a paid role and the role is part time then the salary quoted will be pro rata based on the hours worked per annum.

40

Competency and value framework (CVF) level? 1

05/02/2028, 12:00

It is a requirement for Officers to reside within the Avon and Somerset Force area. If you are relocating from outside of the force area, you may be eligible for a relocation allowance of up to £8000.

We are seeking an experienced and committed Police Constable National Firearms Instructor to join the team at the Black Rock Specialist Training Centre through the transferee route.

Please note that you must be an National Firearms Instructor in order to apply.

The Role:

Black Rock Specialist Training Centres (BRSTC) is nationally recognised as one of the UK’s most forward‑thinking Police Firearms Training Centres. We take pride in delivering first class firearms training, to Collaborative Local Forces as well as National and International partners, ensuring Authorised Firearms Officers are trained to the highest standards to meet evolving threats, protecting the communities they serve.

As an instructor you will, plan, prepare and deliver firearms training across a broad range of specialisms, in line with the standards set by the College of Policing, National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC) and Armed Policing APP. You will have a sound knowledge of Police firearms tactics through operational experience, enabling you to draw on this experience, when delivering training to new Initial Firearms Course students, through to experienced Authorised Firearms Officers.

The successful candidate will be expected to work a 10hr shift schedule Monday to Thursday or Tuesday to Friday, maintaining Occupational Role Profile as attached and completing Occupational Health Screening and fitness test level 9.4.

You will be expected to obtain an IOSH qualification within the first 24 months.

Key Responsibilities:

• To research, design and delivery of training events and courses in accordance with the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC).
• Maintain firearms electronic training records, including the issue and suspension/withdrawal of firearms authorisation permits.
• To carry out internal and external risk assessments and act in compliance with Health and Safety legislation.
• To take responsibilities for the development and assessment of Authorised Firearms Officers (AFO) making written and oral recommendations regarding continued suitability to perform their role.
• To be responsible for the maintenance of all operational and training equipment including vehicles and the daily maintenance of all ranges and associated equipment.

Am I eligible?

• Must be an experienced National Firearms Instructor
• Have no live written improvement notices issued under the Police (Performance) Regulations 2012 or reduction in rank under those procedures in the previous 18 months
• Have no live written warning, final written warning or extended final written warning issued under the Police (Conduct) Regulations 2012; (note – a finding of misconduct but where no se parate penalty is applied (Regulation 35(1)(b)), does not debar an officer from proceeding)
• Have no improvement notice/action plan in place, in accordance with the Police Officer Performance and Attendance procedures.

Our expectation is that officers reside within the Avon and Somerset force boundaries at the time of appointment. If you reside outside of the force area and wish to apply, this would be subject to a special dispensation being granted by Avon and Somerset. Please contact [e-mail] in order to discuss this.

Please note that our Black Rock Specialist Training Centre is a Tri‑Force Collaboration with Gloucestershire and Wiltshire Police. If you wish to apply as a 'PC Accredited National Firearms Instructor' but into Gloucestershire or Wiltshire Police, please contact [e-mail] to discuss.

What We Offer

Avon and Somerset Constabulary has gained a reputation as a pioneering and innovative force which has led the way on a number of initiatives and gained recognition for our ongoing commitment to support, develop and empower our staff to deliver the best possible service to the public.

We have the potential to offer you a better quality of life coupled with exciting and challenging policing.

Avon and Somerset polices 1,844 square miles of moorland, farmland, coastline, holiday resorts, market towns and cities including Bath and Bristol, one of England’s eight core cities. It is intersected by the M4 and M5, major rail routes to Wales and the Southwest, and home to Bristol International Airport and Bristol Port, Britain’s most centrally located deep seaport. Glastonbury Festival, Europe’s largest music festival, and Badminton Horse Trials are two of the force’s most significant events.

A diverse, multi‑cultural population of 1.65 million and approximately 679,000 households, swelled by a large student population and tourists, brings challenges in policing, with pockets of substantial wealth contrasting deprived localities and communities. Ensuring equality of access to policing for all and achieving a diverse and representative workforce are priorities for the force.

• Shortlisting process – review of training records, sickness record and probationary completionfrom current force and suitability for the role

Current Force policy requires officers to live within the Avon and Somerset Constabulary borders and ordinarily within a 30‑mile radius of their posting. However, we would strongly recommend that you do not enter into any lease or purchase of property until a posting is confirmed.

Postings are determined based on operational demand and priorities. Individual preferences will be noted, and attempts made to accommodate, depending on available vacancies.

You will ordinarily be expected to remain in your first posting within the Constabulary for a minimum of two years, however, this would not preclude you applying for promotion should you wish in this timeframe.

Salary and leave

Officers in the Avon and Somerset Constabulary are paid in accordance with the national rates. Salaries are paid directly into officer's bank or building society account on the 28th of each month.

Leave already booked by a successful officer will be honoured for this year, but officers must advise us of these dates in writing when invited to attend for interview.

Any Time off in Lieu must be taken prior to joining Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Under most circumstances pension rights are directly transferable from one force to another.

Additional information:

If you have any questions about the recruitment process, please contact [e-mail]

About us

A pension that grows with you, whatever stage you’re at

Alongside your salary, you’ll be enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS), administered by Peninsula Pensions. This is a high‑quality defined benefit pension, providing a secure, inflation‑linked income for life, based on your earnings and length of service.

If you’re early in your career, it’s a valuable way to start building long‑term financial security from day one, with employer contributions that significantly boost the value of every pound you pay in.

If you’re more experienced, the scheme offers a level of certainty and stability that is now rare, helping you plan confidently for the future with predictable retirement income and benefits for your dependants.

Diversity is a strength and individuality is an asset. We recognise the benefit different life experience and perspectives can bring.

We reserve the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage interested candidates to apply as soon as possible to ensure their application is considered.

Important information before you commence an application (for external applicants)

• National Insurance Number
• Address information including proof
• Referee information
• Full employment history including dates and any qualifications you may have attained
• Tattoos - you will also be requested to provide photos and describe of any visible tattoos you have

If the role requires you to drive you will also be required to upload details from your full driving licence including photos.

Important information before you commence an application- for ALL applicants

The application system only remains active on a single page for a period of 60 minutes.

Please ensure you allow time to complete your application fully as part complete pages do not save.

If the role has evidence questions you may wish to save these remotely and paste your answers into the boxes at time of submission.