Specialist Instructional Officer

Have you considered teaching in an exciting inclusive aircraft engineering training environment? Are you a qualified Aircraft Engineer or an experienced Engineer who can transfer your skills to deliver Aeronautical Engineering training to the next generations of RAF Engineers? Do you have the desire and ability to learn new trade knowledge within the aircraft discipline?

The Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering instructional staff are a whole force team comprising of Regular RAF personnel and Civil Service Instructors, responsible for delivering world class technical training to a broad audience of students from a diverse population to a varied training curriculum. You will be a Specialist Instructional Officer (SIO) at Executive Officer grade and will be required to develop and deliver technical training to Phase 2 (Initial Technical) and Phase 3 (pre-employment Career development) students who are either beginning their Service careers or undertaking promotion training for specific roles. The SIO roles are incredibly interesting and rewarding opportunities for resolute and focused Civil Servants to shape and nurture the next generation of Engineers and enhance the skill sets of personnel returning as Phase 3 students for additional training.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

An exciting opportunity has arisen within the Defence School of Aeronautical Engineering at 238 Squadron. This recruitment campaign has 3 SIO (EO Grade) positions for individuals who have the desire to be a training specialist, with an ability to compliment the extremely high delivery competencies within the school. The successful candidates will be involved in developing RAF Aircraft Engineers by conducting training programs that will boost employee’s workplace performance and confidence, along with developing service core values. The candidates will be responsible for performing training needs assessments, creating, and delivering a theoretical and practical curriculum in an exciting and well supported training environment.

The ideal candidate should be able to communicate competently with the ability to effectively describe complicated concepts to a diverse student audience. The candidates must be well organised, proficient in time management, and project confidence in public speaking skills. They will be required to be both strategic and reactive, assessing the skills and knowledge within the group and determining what training is needed to grow and nurture individuals.

The working environment is a mixture of classroom theory and practical based training delivery, which takes place within the delivery areas using modern learning methods. The practical aspects of training use a variety of Ground Training Aids such as Jaguar Aircraft, Practical Simulators as well as Virtual Training Aids.

Please be aware that successful candidates for the SIO (EO Grade) positions are required to obtain Disclosure and Barring Service (Formally Criminal Records Bureau CRB) clearances.

The instructor’s primary duties comprise of:

• Delivery of training theory and practical.
• Preparing reports on students’ performance (academic and behavioural).
• Prepare and conduct practical assessments, including marking and recording.
• Developing and controlling training documents and other delivery media.
• Proposing improvements to training design and content.
• General course administration.
• Additional support duties crucial for the safe conduct of training and welfare of students.

The post holder will be encouraged to diversify across other trade related topic specialisms after suitable training to improve flexibility and increase capability building business resilience.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others
• Leadership
• Working Together

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Delivery of a presentation (10 minutes) by the candidate on a subject relevant to the post

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%
• Position attracts £3,000 Recruitment & Retention Allowance (reviewed annually)
• 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.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• Access to RAF Cosford sport and leisure facilities, subject to completion of the local registration / induction process and payment of an annual fee.
• Easily accessible road and rail links.
• Free on-site parking.
• On-site shop / café 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. 

Job contact :

• Name : Mr Colin Ashcroft
• Email : colin.ashcroft278@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk