Senior Simulator Operator (Command and Navigation)

Ministry of Defence

Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 2nd December 2024

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Details

Reference number

374038

Salary

£35,290

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

MOD - Navy

Type of role

Other

Working pattern

Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Location

His Majesty's Naval Base Clyde (HMNB Clyde) serves as the hub for the United Kingdom's Strategic Nuclear Deterrent, including Astute Class Attack Submarines, Sandown Class Mine Hunter Vessels, and the 43 Cdo Royal Marines. As an operational support and maintenance facility within the Navy Command TLB, it encompasses the Faslane and Coulport sites. The primary mission of HMNB Clyde is to offer engineering and logistical support to the Royal Navy for the Continuous at Sea Deterrent (CASD), ensuring that a Vanguard Class submarine is on patrol every day of the year. RNAD Coulport handles the storage, processing, maintenance, and distribution of the Trident Weapon System, as well as the ammunition for all tactical weapons embarked on submarines.

About the job

Job summary

Navy Command Headquarters (NCHQ) is the nerve centre of the Naval Service. It supports operations around the globe and provides the ships, people, aircraft and equipment to deliver the UK’s defence policy. Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and exciting jobs in different subject areas. The Royal Navy operates collaboratively with Team Fisher to provide Naval Training for personnel. Key to the delivery of modern Royal Navy training is the effective maintenance and support of training equipment. The Training Management Group (TMG), within the Personnel and Training (P&T) Directorate, is the Authority and performs the ‘customer’ function to manage the contract. The TMG's role is to supervise, assure, consult, inform and influence the way the Contractor delivers its services. As a member of the TMG Training Support (TrgSpt) pillar you would be working collaboratively with FOST (N) and the Contractor (Team Fisher) to ensure the Submarine Command Team Trainers and Bridge Navigation Trainer are operating to their full potential.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Senior Simulator Operator (Command and Navigation) at HMNB Clyde leads a team of four Simulator Operators. Their primary role is to assist the FOST (N) Head of Training in managing the Submarine Command Team Trainers (SCTT) and Bridge Navigation Trainer (BNT). The SCTT main goal is to provide training and assessment facilities for Submarine Command Teams before sea operations. As part of the Continuous At Sea Deterrent (CASD), submarine crews are required to complete Pre Sea-Safety, Navigation Safe for Sea, and Weapons Certification prior to deployment. The Senior Simulator Operator and their team are integral to each phase of this process, within both SCTT and BNT. They conduct Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), and collaborate with the Royal Navy (RN) to ensure User Tests meet customer needs. They also liaise with FOST (N) Training Planning, RN staff, maintenance teams, and contractors to guarantee the availability of trainers and personnel. Their flexibility is crucial, prepared to adjust training schedules to accommodate the dynamic timelines of naval units. In the absence of the Senior Simulator Operator (FasNUSCOT), they are adeptly trained to sustain training operations within the Motion Trainer. Moreover, they serve as the TMG Subject Matter Expert for the Warfare Signature Database Business as Usual (BAU) operations.

Key responsibilities include:

- Leading a team of four Simulator Operators.
- Performing administrative duties alongside the FOST(N) Training Planner.
- Managing the TMG Warfare Signature Database BAU.
- Providing backup training support with the Motion Trainer in the absence of the Senior Simulator Operator (FasNUSCOT).
- Overseeing workforce operations in SCTT & BNT.

Additional duties:

- Operating the Bridge Navigation Trainer (BNT).
- Aiding in the compilation of trainer usage logs.
- Producing Observation Reports.

The essence of this role is integral to a live training setting, which precludes the possibility of a flexible work schedule. However, it does permit hybrid working when on-site presence is not necessary for training support. The working hours adhere to a working pattern agreed upon locally.

Person specification

Essential:

- Strong communication and interpersonal abilities.
- Superior organisational and time management skills.
- Proficient in task prioritisation.
- Skilled in verbal and written communication.
- Attentive to instructions with an emphasis on detail and precision.
- Versatile and adaptable in managing workloads.
- Forward-thinking in problem-solving, ready to identify and seize opportunities for improvement.
- Keen to acquire new abilities and procedures.

Desirable:

- Experience with seagoing Operations Rooms or Simulated Operations involving Underwater or Above Water military capabilities is advantageous.

- Prior experience in leading a small team is preferred.

- While experience is beneficial, a proactive approach and the eagerness to learn essential skills are equally important.

Behaviours

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

Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions
Leadership

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,223 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Navy Command is dedicated to being a supportive employer, promoting flexible work arrangements to ensure a healthy work-life balance. Benefits for Navy Command Civil Servants include:

- 25 days of paid annual leave, which increases by one day each year, reaching 30 days after five years.
- A Civil Service pension scheme with an employer contribution rate of 28.97%.
- Opportunities for role-specific learning and development.
- An organisational culture that embraces inclusivity and diversity.
- Various flexible working options.

Additional benefits include:

- Access to confidential, professional support services.
- An array of discount schemes.
- Bicycle and season ticket loans.
- Extensive maternity, paternity, and adoption leave policies.
- Up to six days of special paid leave annually for volunteering.
- On-site amenities such as a gym, ski club, shopping centre, café, and dining facilities.
- Free car parking.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

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.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

This job opening utilises Success Profiles, which will evaluate your Behaviours.

Important Information:

Security - Applicants must fulfil the security requirements before their appointment can be confirmed. The necessary security clearance level is SC.

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 sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decision

At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours

Communicating and Influencing
Changing and Improving
Making Effective Decision
Leadership

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.

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

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.

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).

Apply and further information

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 : Steven Frampton
Email : steven.frampton990@mod.gov.uk
Telephone : 03001570620

Recruitment team

Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

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:

info@csc.gov.uk.