Army - Land Ranges and Training Areas Officer

Tidworth – SW Region, however flexible with basing from other locations in the region

We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation.  However, recognising the benefits of face to face working, especially for new joiners, there is an expectation that you would be in your place of work at least 60% of the time (3 days a week). The role includes travel and occasional overnight stays to support inspections, meetings and assurance activity.

Job Summary

Headquarters Regional Command (HQ RC) plays a vital role in supporting the British Army’s people, infrastructure and operations across the UK and overseas. We ensure that soldiers and units have a safe, compliant, and effective environment in which to train and operate.

We are looking for a proactive and organised Higher Executive Officer (HEO) to join our Operations & Plans team as a Land Ranges & Training Areas (LTAR) Officer.

This is a specialist role where you will be at the centre of safety, assurance and compliance for Army training environments, working with a diverse network of military, civilian and external stakeholders. Your work will directly contribute to delivering a 'Safe Place to Train a critical component of Army effectiveness.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job Description

Main Role Responsibilities:

• Acting as one of the HQ RC focal points for Safe Place assurance, ensuring training environments meet required safety standards.
• Leading and delivering 2nd Line of Defence assurance activity for land ranges and fieldcraft training areas.
• Planning, scheduling and conducting annual assurance inspections, producing reports and recommending corrective actions.
• Monitoring and supporting the resolution of issues identified through 3rd Line assurance reviews.
• Providing expert advice to Range Approving Officers (RAOs), Range Administering Units (RAUs), and stakeholders on safety, policy and compliance.
• Interpreting and implementing MOD range safety policy and Defence standards across your area of responsibility.
• Maintaining oversight of Range Standing Orders, Risk Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, ensuring they are accurate and compliant.
• Supporting range certification processes, including issuing and reissuing safety certifications for permanent and temporary ranges.
• Organising and contributing to Range Boards for new, modified, existing or closing facilities.
• Advising on ranges operating with waivers, managed non-compliance or special conditions.
• Supporting stakeholders with range modifications, safety documentation and liaison with external authorities.
• Delivering training and guidance to RAUs, range managers and users to improve compliance and safe practice.
• Acting as the focal point for DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) matters within Regional Command.
• Coordinating and assuring Training Over Private Land (TOPL) activity, including application scrutiny and stakeholder liaison.
• Representing HQ RC at meetings, inspections, and external engagements, maintaining awareness of emerging risks and best practice.
  
  

Main Role Responsibilities

• Acting as one of the HQ RC focal points for Safe Place assurance, ensuring training environments meet required safety standards.
• Leading and delivering 2nd Line of Defence assurance activity for land ranges and fieldcraft training areas.
• Planning, scheduling and conducting annual assurance inspections, producing reports and recommending corrective actions.
• Monitoring and supporting the resolution of issues identified through 3rd Line assurance reviews.
• Providing expert advice to Range Approving Officers (RAOs), Range Administering Units (RAUs), and stakeholders on safety, policy and compliance.
• Interpreting and implementing MOD range safety policy and Defence standards across your area of responsibility.
• Maintaining oversight of Range Standing Orders, Risk Assessments and Environmental Impact Assessments, ensuring they are accurate and compliant.
• Supporting range certification processes, including issuing and reissuing safety certifications for permanent and temporary ranges.
• Organising and contributing to Range Boards for new, modified, existing or closing facilities.
• Advising on ranges operating with waivers, managed non-compliance or special conditions.
• Supporting stakeholders with range modifications, safety documentation and liaison with external authorities.
• Delivering training and guidance to RAUs, range managers and users to improve compliance and safe practice.
• Acting as the focal point for DCCT (Dismounted Close Combat Trainer) matters within Regional Command.
• Coordinating and assuring Training Over Private Land (TOPL) activity, including application scrutiny and stakeholder liaison.
• Representing HQ RC at meetings, inspections, and external engagements, maintaining awareness of emerging risks and best practice.
  
  

Person specification

Essential Skills

• Strong organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities effectively.
• Confidence working with diverse stakeholders and communicating clearly at all levels.
• The ability to interpret policy and apply it in practical, real-world scenarios.
• Sound judgement in assessing risk, safety and compliance issues.
• High attention to detail when managing and reviewing important documentation.
• The ability to work independently and collaboratively within a dispersed team.
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft 365 tools.
• A full UK driving licence is required due to travel across dispersed and often remote sites, the role includes occasional travel and overnight stays for inspections and meetings.
  
  

Desirable Skills

• Experience working with MOD ranges or training environments.
• Background in assurance, inspection or compliance roles.
• Awareness of Defence Safety Authority (DSA) 03 and Defence Ranges Framework.
  
  

Licences

Full UK Driving Licence - The Area of Responsibility is spread over a large area and some of its sites are located in remote, rural locations none of which are served by public transport.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
  
  

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
  
  

Alongside your salary of £37,720, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,927 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements 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.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

At application stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Personal Statement - of no more than 500 words detailing how you meet the essential skills criteria
• Behaviour - Communicating & Influencing
• Behaviour - Managing a Quality Service
  
  

Where a large number of applications are received, an initial sift will be conducted based on the evidence you provide in support of Managing a Quality Service.

The remaining elements will only be reviewed if you are successful at this initial sift.

At interview stage you will be assessed against the following:

• Experience
• Behaviour - Making Effective Decisions
• Behaviour - Managing a Quality Service
• Behaviour - Working Together
  
  

Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held on line. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs.

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: [email protected] .

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.

The Ministry of Defence adopts a zero-tolerance approach to unacceptable behaviours, which includes bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination, and victimisation. You will not be eligible and will not be considered for this post if you have been dismissed from a role for such unacceptable behaviours within the last five years. This will also apply if you resign or otherwise leave a role but, because of an adverse decision, would have been dismissed for gross misconduct had you continued in that employment. Pre-employment checks will be carried out.

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 : Paul Thomas
• Email : [email protected]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]
  
  

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: [email protected].