RAF Cosford Armoury Technician

UK Ministry of Defence; Albrighton; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

The UK Ministry of Defence offers an exciting opportunity for an Armourer, either experienced or at entry-level, to join the dynamic team at RAF Cosford. The successful candidate will be responsible for maintaining small arms and ensuring compliance with safety regulations, providing a vital service to support operational delivery.

Benefits

Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%

25 days paid annual leave

Access to gymnasium and sports facilities

Flexible working options

Professional development opportunities

Qualifications

• Full UK Driving license required.
• Experience in an armoury or technical environment preferred.
• Willingness to learn and pursue necessary qualifications.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and modify small arms and associated equipment to ensure safety compliance.
• Conduct maintenance inspections on light weapons and related equipment.
• Provide support to parented units and personnel with weapons/ammunition.

Skills

Communication

Organisational skills

Attention to detail

Education

Engineering qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent

Job description

RAF Cosford, Albrighton, Wolverhampton. WV7 3EX

Job Summary

An exciting opportunity has arisen for either an experienced Armourer, or someone wanting to take their first or next step on the development ladder into the armoury or technical engineering profession in what is a safety critical support role.

RAF Cosford is a large and diverse station with a transient population home to a diverse range of station support elements supporting the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering (DSAE) and all other resident and parented units to achieve their defence output delivery.

The role is part of a team within the Armoury which is part of the Operational Support Wing (OSW) providing a pivotal function to the Station Commander as Head of Establishment with assurance of safe and legal activity across the unit.

We are looking for someone with good communication and organisational skills, with an attention to detail and the drive to see tasks through. Using proficient technical and engineering skills combined with IT and administrative experience you will deliver to and engage with a wide range of stakeholders and colleagues across multiple TLBs to ensure smooth operational delivery and high-quality service in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

As an integral part of the Armoury team the post holder is responsible to the Station Armoury Manager, through the Small Arms and AASE Supervisors, for the maintenance and modification of small arms and associated equipment, and the maintenance and modification of the weapon inventory to ensure regulatory and safety compliance. Further to this there will be range management elements and support to a large number of parented units at various locations within the region.

The Primary Duties Include:

• Maintain/modify small arms and associated equipment iaw the Light Weapons General Orders AP110K-001-2(R) 1 and relevant Army Equipment Support Publications (AESPs).
• Maintain and modify Aircraft Armament Suspension Equipment within Cosford DSAE School’s fleet of Ground Training Aids (aircraft).
• Undertaking the removal, refit, and maintenance of stores, suspension equipment, and Aircraft Assisted Escape Systems (AAES).
• Carry out pre-test firing maintenance inspections on light weapons and related equipment.
• Maintain engineering documentation iaw with current regulations.
• Maintain the Daily Check of Arms register ensuring all entries are timely, accurate and complete.
• Issue and receipt of weapons for Unit parades, ceremonial events, Guard Force, and Force Protection personnel.
• Provide armament support to parented units and personnel.
• Provide Armament support to the RAF Cosford Air Show.
• Record small arm maintenance/support activities including the timely update of faults, maintenance, modification, repair actions, spares requisition, serial numbers and any other relevant data required.
  
  

Additionally, there will be an element of support activities which include:

• Providing support to parented units and personnel, including preparation and transportation of weapons/ammunition to/from parented units, firing ranges, and any Air Head.
• Undertaking the duties of Armoury Consumable Stores Coordinator as required
• Undertaking the duties of Armoury Publications Coordinator as required.
• Acting as security escort within the Armoury, explosive buildings, and Range Complex, as required.
• Transport of weapons and/or ammunition between supply/repair agencies,
• Monitor and maintain current, up-to-date, JAMES training status, completing new/updated modules as required.
• Carrying out other delegated duties as required by the Station Armoury Manager or Deputy Armoury Manager.
  
  

It is the perfect role affording development and pathway access to the Armoury and/or engineering function and environment, with access to learning and development opportunities and professional training.

As an integral part of the Armoury team the post holder is responsible to the Station Armoury Manager, through the Small Arms and AASE Supervisors, for the maintenance and modification of small arms and associated equipment, and the maintenance and modification of the weapon inventory to ensure regulatory and safety compliance. Further to this there will be range management elements and support to a large number of parented units at various locations within the region.

The Primary Duties Include:

• Maintain/modify small arms and associated equipment iaw the Light Weapons General Orders AP110K-001-2(R) 1 and relevant Army Equipment Support Publications (AESPs).
• Maintain and modify Aircraft Armament Suspension Equipment within Cosford DSAE School’s fleet of Ground Training Aids (aircraft).
• Undertaking the removal, refit, and maintenance of stores, suspension equipment, and Aircraft Assisted Escape Systems (AAES).
• Carry out pre-test firing maintenance inspections on light weapons and related equipment.
• Maintain engineering documentation iaw with current regulations.
• Maintain the Daily Check of Arms register ensuring all entries are timely, accurate and complete.
• Issue and receipt of weapons for Unit parades, ceremonial events, Guard Force, and Force Protection personnel.
• Provide armament support to parented units and personnel.
• Provide Armament support to the RAF Cosford Air Show.
• Record small arm maintenance/support activities including the timely update of faults, maintenance, modification, repair actions, spares requisition, serial numbers and any other relevant data required.
  
  

Additionally, there will be an element of support activities which include:

• Providing support to parented units and personnel, including preparation and transportation of weapons/ammunition to/from parented units, firing ranges, and any Air Head.
• Undertaking the duties of Armoury Consumable Stores Coordinator as required
• Undertaking the duties of Armoury Publications Coordinator as required.
• Acting as security escort within the Armoury, explosive buildings, and Range Complex, as required.
• Transport of weapons and/or ammunition between supply/repair agencies,
• Monitor and maintain current, up-to-date, JAMES training status, completing new/updated modules as required.
• Carrying out other delegated duties as required by the Station Armoury Manager or Deputy Armoury Manager.
  
  

It is the perfect role affording development and pathway access to the Armoury and/or engineering function and environment, with access to learning and development opportunities and professional training.

Person specification

We Are Looking For:

• A dynamic and enthusiastic individual to be an integral part of the Armoury team.
• A self-motivator who looks to complete routine tasks and solve problems.
• Someone with positive interpersonal skills, who can build good connections, relationships, and networks.
• A positive mindset with a can-do attitude and team ethos.
  
  

The candidate will ideally have experience in the armoury or engineering environment and/or transferable organisational and communication skills with a willingness to learn. Support is available to someone willing to take advantage of the development opportunities including completing mandatory training requirements and obtaining qualifications associated with the role. It would also be suited to an Armed Forces Veteran.

Essential Criteria:

• Full UK Driving license
• Must be over the age of 18 due to the nature of working with Arms and Ammunition.
  
  

Desirable Criteria:

• Previous experience of working in either an Armoury or a technical/engineering environment.
• Engineering qualification at NVQ level 3 or equivalent.
• Small Arms Maintenance qualification or equivalent.
  
  

Qualifications

• Engineering qualification at NVQ level 1 (or equivalent) or willingness to undertake upon appointment.
• Small Arms Maintenance qualification or willing to undertake the CN1591 Small Arms Maintenance Course upon appointment.
  
  

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
  
  

Alongside your salary of £25,180, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,294 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
• Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Professional and Personal Development of skills
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 Days upon completion of 5 years service
• In addition to 8 public holidays per year you will also receive leave for HM The King's birthday
• Minimum of 15 days Special paid leave in a rolling 12-month period for volunteer reserve commitments
• Improved maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Easily accessible road and rail links
• On-site Shop/Café facilities
• Access to gymnasium, swimming pool and outdoor sports facilities
• Free on-site car parking
  
  

This post does not offer any assistance with relocation allowances.

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.

At Sift You Will Be Assessed Against The Following:

• CV
• Personal Statement (250 word count)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
  
  

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 You Will Be Assessed Against :

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
  
  

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.

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. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

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

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)

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 : Lee Alderson
• Email : [e-mail]
• Telephone : [phone]
  
  

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].