About the job

Job summary

Do you want to work for the Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO) and care for the Defence Estate? DIO enables Defence to live, work, train and deploy, all with sustainability in mind. From net carbon zero accommodations to runways for the F35 fighter jets; our outputs are unique in the UK and across the globe!

Learn much more about DIO in our Candidate Information Guide attached. 

About DIO

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Job description

The Senior Air Operations, Training Safety Officer (TSO) post is very diverse and will strong interpersonal skills with external agencies and customers to ensure all DIO, Range Standing Orders (RSO), Military Air Aviation (MAA) and Civilian Air Aviation (CAA) regulations are being adhered to. This role requires a communicator who is confident and clear in providing direction when collaborating closely with our customers, ensuring they maximise their training opportunities and support new systems coming into service with a particular focus on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAS). The post will require experience in providing technical training, aeronautical and operational advice on all “Flight Safety” matters both internally and externally in accordance with UK Military and Civil Regulations. The successful candidate will develop and maintain DIO's “Safe Place” and provide efficient airspace management regime across Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA).

The post of Senior Air Operations TSO will be the direct line manager for two service personnel (Royal Air Force). The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering the safe and efficient operation of the airspace within SPTA, undertaking the role of first line assurance for all outputs of the team daily.

A solid understanding of civilian and/or military air operations is crucial and the successful candidate will be required to complete and pass the Flight Information Safety Officers Course (FISO) if not already qualified and pass a bi-annual medical to FISO Standard.

A good sound knowledge of UXXXX High Frequency (UHF), VXXXX High Frequenty (VHF) and Airwaves Radio is desirable as this is the primary means of communication whilst dealing with air users.

The post holder will be accountable for ensuring optimum use of military airspace by military and non-military users in accordance with Range Standing Orders (RSO). The post holder will be required to use their strong understanding and specialist training to provide a “Safe Place to Train” and will be responsible for authorizing all deconfliction plans, air allocation information daily! The successful candidate will be required to conduct detailed briefings to various Military and Non-Military audiences in regard to air safety and optimising training across SPTA to maximum the use of artillery, rotary, fixed-wing aircraft, UAVs and civilian aviation without compromising “Safe Place”. Both written and verbal communication is essential to ensure clear, precise direction, guidance is provided. The post holder need experience in delivering at pace, with the ability to multi task whilst remaining composed during rapidly changing scenarios.

This post will be primarily office based in Tilshead, Westdown Camp, Salisbury Plain Training Area, Wiltshire.

Person specification

Leadership: (10% of time):

Leadership and Management of Service Delivery alongside the Senior Training Safety Officer Salisbury Plain. Contribute to the development and maintenance of an airspace management regime for Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) to enable safe employment of all air and unmanned aerial systems in accordance with UK regulations.

Command of Air Ops - direct and task the Air Ops operators on daily routine business as line Manager.

Provide innovative leadership by making changes to existing procedures and contributing to new procedures vital for the achievement of aviation safety.

Ensure local compliance with mandatory requirements and complete all mandated training.

Managing Air Safety: (50% of time)

Allocate, plan and coordinate all Air activities on SPTA & ensure the safe co-ordination and de-confliction of live and dry training activities are co-ordinated. (Battlespace Management)

Manage and update Range Standing Orders (RSO) in accordance with all other regulatory articles from the Civilian Air Aviation (CAA), Military Air Aviation (MAA), DIO Policy and legislation.

Operate UHF & VHF Air Radios to provide relevant, accurate and timely information on ground and all air activity including Remotely Piloted Aerial Systems / Unmanned Aerial Vehicles operations over SPTA.

Manage and deconflict air space via Boscombe Down airspace and understand low level routes and height restrictions across SPTA.

Ensure that Lessons Learnt are embedded to inform continuous improvement

Control and update all Letters of agreements (LOA) for Civilian air users across SPTA.

Air Operations Administration (25% of Time)

Authorise the information from the airspace Booking and Management System (BAMS) Bid.

Co-ordinate air bookings for SPTA for day/night and authorise required detail on Air Movements information.

Co-Chair Live and Dry daily/weekly Live & Dry Firing meeting with SPTA staff to deconfliction for all Live Firing Locations and Height restrictions.

Authorise the Airspace Allocation Information for distribution to all Air users twice daily.

User interface/Technical Adviser: (10%)

Build collaborative working relationships with the air community to build strong partnerships

Provide input and advice to HQ SPTA, HQ DIO Ops Trg and relevant stakeholders in order to assure and ensure flight safety.

Offer guidance to military users and civilian trials on SPTA to ensure optimal and safe use of airspace.

Lead the Air community face-to-face including the delivery of the annual Salisbury Plain Air User Group, attend local area user group conferences. Deliver specific SPTA Air Ops Briefings and presentations to major Exercises.

Manage the delivery of Human Factors and Error Management Training for all team members.

Any other task appropriate to grade (5% of time)

Lead POC for all accident investigations involving Air assets.

Initiate Training Needs Analysis to develop deliver and validate an enduring AWR Safety and Education Regime.

Essential Experience & Skills

Essential experience and skills should show evidence within the personal statement:

Either hold a FISO qualification or willing to undertake the FISO Course and qualify within 9 months - Essential

Have passed, or will pass 2 yearly medical to FISO Standard - Essential

Willing to attend a Flight Safety Officers Course
Willing to attend an Air Safety Information Management Systems (ASIMS) Course 
Willing to attend an RPAS DH course
Willing to attend a Post-Crash Management Incident Officers Course
Good Written and Verbal communication skills
IT literate

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

Please ensure that at the application and interview stages of the campaign you review the Success Profiles Framework to assist you in the demonstration of your skills and experience.
    
Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly, and the successful candidate will be appointed on merit.

At application you will be assessed against the following:

Experience:

• CV - Job History, Full Qualification details and Previous Skills & Experience
• Personal Statement - Detailing in no more than 1000 words:

It is an essential condition of this role that you either hold a Flight Information Service Officer (FISO) qualification obtained through a UK CAA recognised FISO Training Provider or will obtain this qualification within 9 months of joining. You must also pass a medical to FISO standard, which must be refreshed every 2 years. Information can be found here: SRG1419: FISO Medical Declaration Pack (caa.co.uk)

You may already be working towards a FISO qualification but if not, we will support you in achieving this by funding the course, allowing time for study, providing a mentor or coach and funding any additional professional development training. The course is 4 weeks and delivered through a hybrid of on-line and onsite training. The successful candidate will need to commit to 2 weeks of training in Cheltenham and all associated accommodation and travel costs will be paid for by the MoD.

In the event that DIO fund an individual’s training or qualification fees for a course specific to their role, the individual will first be asked to sign an Undertaking to Repay Expenses form. This form states that the individual agrees to repay the cost of the course, either partial or in full, in certain circumstances, including (but not limited to) if their employment ceases within a set period after the individual has completed the course. For more information on this, please contact the Recruitment Team’

Prior experience of having worked or currently working as a civilian or military Air Traffic Controller or in a wider Aviation Safety, Training or Assurance role would be advantageous.

Behaviours:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service

At interview you will be assessed against the above PLUS the following:

Behaviours:         

• Changing and Improving

We want to offer opportunities to all who are successful at interview for our roles, but this isn't always possible, so we do hold candidates on an active reserve list for 12 months. It is also possible that we may offer similar lower graded role/s to reserve candidates or, if no reserves are appointed, candidates that meet the lower grade criteria in merit order.

Application sifting is scheduled to take place on week commencing: 08th January 2024.  
 
Interviews are currently taking place via Face to Face or remotely through a digital platform, this will be confirmed with the successful candidates who are invited to an interview and will be conducted week commencing: 15th January 2024.
 
A minimum of 2 full working days’ notice will be provided for interviews. We endeavour to stick to these dates, but these are subject to change around business needs. 
 
To assist with your application please find attached below:  

1. DIO Candidate Information Guide
2. DIO Candidate Information Guide - Accessible Version

For help and support with your application check out our

Civil Service Careers Homepage and the How to apply section

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

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.