Army - Horse Groom
Ministry of Defence
Apply before 11:55 pm on Friday 5th July 2024
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Veterinary Services
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About the job
Job summary
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 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.
This is a fantastic opportunity to care for and maintain the horses that deliver important, and internationally renowned, state ceremonial operations in central London and across the country! In this exciting role, you will help to promote national interests by ensuring the horses of the Household Cavalry Mounted Unit are well looked after and presentable at key public events such as the King’s Birthday Parade, whilst also ready to support unexpected resilience operations when needed.
We are committed to providing quality care for our horses and are looking for individuals who enjoy working as part of a dedicated team to deliver the essential maintenance the horses require. The work is dynamic and thoroughly rewarding and will give you the chance to use your valuable equestrian and skills to support some of the UK’s most important strategic objectives!
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
Job description
The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs around 7,000 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.
Successful applicants will be responsible for grooming, clipping, handling, feeding, and exercising the Military Working Horses. You must be passionate about making sure they receive the appropriate level of care and attention, and ensure they are presentable when needed for important state ceremonial duties.
Part of the role will involve assisting the veterinary and farriery team both to restrain and manipulate various breeds of horses, and to administer basic daily treatments such as medication and physiotherapy exercises.
You will regularly get to exercise and school the horses, which will include roadwork, canter work, lunging, and supporting rehabilitative programmes. You will also help to maintain the cleanliness of the stables and stable areas, ensuring Health and Safety compliance and pleasant living conditions for the horses.
Given the dynamic and flexible requirements of the Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, you will need to work on your own initiative with minimal supervision, whilst occasionally needing to meet tight deadlines as part of a committed team.
Does this challenge sound of interest?
Person specification
To sustain the high-quality standard of care we expect for our horses, it is essential that our grooms:
- Have completed Level 2 BHS in Riding and Grooming, or an equivalent qualification (e.g. a level 2 Equine Animal Care and Welfare Apprenticeship).
- Have recent and relevant experience in horse grooming, with a proven ability to ride horses of different temperaments and undertake physically demanding work.
- Have a proven ability to present horses to a high standard, including trimming, clipping, and mane and tail pulling.
- Are competent to undertake a range of stable duties.
- Are committed to the welfare of horses.
Given the horses’ need for continuous care, you will be required to work a four-week shift pattern involving some weekends and public holidays and might be needed to work overtime when unforeseen situations arise.
Whilst a full UK driving licence is desirable, driving is not an official requirement of the post.
Development Opportunities:
The Ministry of Defence offers a wider variety of professional and technical development opportunities, and we are committed to giving staff the time and support to develop their careers.
Whilst BHS Groom with Riding Level 2 is essential to the job role, there will be opportunities for us to support you in obtaining the Level 3 qualification.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Your riding ability will be assessed during a half-day assessment centre and interview, during which we will ask you to perform a range of riding tasks along with other applicants.
- Your technical knowledge of grooming and horse care will be assessed via technical questions during your interview, as part of your half-day assessment centre.
Benefits
The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.
Other benefits for Army civil servants include:
- 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
- Highly competitive pension scheme
- 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 central location of the barracks makes them easily accessible via public transport, but there is also the possibility of onsite parking.
You will also be granted access to changing room facilities and the on-site canteen. There might also be the opportunity to make use of the on-site gym facilities.
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 Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Online application, assessed via a CV, sift completed, successful candidates invited to Combermere Barracks Windsor for interview and assessment.
This will be assessed via a CV, which details the experience you have had that is relevant to the role, and a 750-word statement of suitability, in which you should outline how your previous experience meets the essential criteria stated in the Person Specification.
At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles:
Behaviours
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
- Working Together
Technical Skills
- Your riding ability will be assessed during a half-day assessment centre and interview, during which we will ask you to perform a range of riding tasks along with other applicants.
- Your technical knowledge of grooming and horse care will be assessed via technical questions during your interview, as part of your half-day assessment centre.
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 into 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.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and 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.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Martyn Thompson
- Email : martyn.thompson893@mod.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk
Further information
