About the job

Job summary

At the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA), we encourage applications from everyone, particularly groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. We pride ourselves on the positive impact diversity has and promote inclusivity and equality of opportunity for all. Our recruitment process is anonymised, which means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.  

Do you have a degree in a Sustainability/Environmental Management/Environmental Science focused subject or are soon to graduate?

Are you interested in understanding the environmental impact of our estate and operations, delivering more sustainable solutions across the Agency? 

If so, we would love to hear from you!

This is a phenomenal opportunity to be a part of the programme. This role will shape your career and provide you with the skills, experience and certifications to help you progress within this profession.

Job description

We are looking for a driven individual to get involved in this exciting graduate development scheme. Furthering your education and being a part of a fast paced and encouraging workforce. You will be based in our Estates department, working closely with experienced, talented and dedicated professionals who will guide and support you to develop your career. 

The programme is driven by a structured 2-year training curriculum designed to develop your technical knowledge and personal skills. Training includes both formal external training programmes and informal learning and gathering experiences to help you fully develop within the sustainability team at DVLA. You will get exposure to all areas of DVLA and gain a rounded perspective of our business and how we work. 

You will be a key member of the team, assisting with all aspects of sustainability and environmental monitoring, reporting and projects driving improvement.

At the end of the 2-year programme, an assessment will be held to confirm suitability for promotion to the HEO Grade, on a permanent basis. The assessment will partly be based on individual performance during an assigned project towards the end of the programme plus a panel interview, conducted by HR and a Senior Manager from the Sustainability Team. 

Upon successful completion of the 2-year graduate programme, you will go on to develop and grow your career as a HEO grade Sustainability and Environment manager at DVLA. 

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities will include but will not be limited to: 

• Acquire an understanding of DVLA estate management and develop the skillset required to implement sustainable and environmental improvements.
• Developing knowledge required to manage performance of service partners in achieving government targets. This includes data analysis and assurance services. This will include formal training which relates to waste management.
• Developing the knowledge to manage the DVLA environmental management system and ability to deliver the management review to stakeholders.
• Becoming confident to provide specialist advice on environmental processes and procedures to senior managers, key stakeholders, and staff. This includes assuring all procurement activities within the agency and high-risk estates activities consider sustainability and environmental issues.

For further information about the role please see the attached role profile. 

Additional information

This role will be based in Swansea, and we will be operating a hybrid working model that allows you to work between home and on-site giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work, subject to business needs and this also allows for ongoing support, development, and collaboration with colleagues.  

Therefore, the expectation is that you will spend a minimum of 60% of your working time based at your principal workplace (DVLA). We would encourage you to discuss the working arrangements for this role with us during the recruitment process. 

Applications will be accepted from full time/part time. Full time roles at DVLA consist of 37 hours per week. Part time and/or flexible working may also be available subject to the needs of the business. If you have a flexible or part time working requirement, you should contact the vacancy holder in advance of making an application to avoid possible disappointment later in the process should your desired working arrangements not be compatible with the requirements of the role. To contact the vacancy holder, please use the job contact details listed under ‘Contact point for applicants’. 

Person specification

To be eligible for the Programme, you will need a 2:2 university degree or above in Sustainability/Environmental Management/Environmental Science focused subject. 

Applications will be accepted from those currently working towards a degree, providing they meet the above requirements to start the Programme in August 2024. We will ask for evidence that you have met the qualification criteria by 31st July 2024.

Failure to evidence meeting the qualification requirements after receiving an offer will result in the offer being rescinded. 

We are looking for committed, data driven graduates who are keen to continue learning. You will be self-motivated with a passion for a career in Sustainability. 

You will take ownership of your learning while being comfortable to ask for guidance when appropriate from more experienced colleagues. 

You will have strong communication skills, with the ability to tailor this to your audience. In addition, you can build good working relationships quickly and possess strong collaboration and interpersonal skills. 

Excellent organisational skills are required, and you will be able to manage and filter workflow as well as organise and prioritise your work to maximise productivity and achieve all deadlines. You will be highly adaptable and flexible, adjusting to the requirements of the role. Being a team player with the ability to work on your own initiative, making robust decisions as and when required.

You will have excellent IT skills and a demonstrable knowledge in the use of Microsoft packages, in particular Microsoft Excel.

We strive to ensure that DVLA is a great place to work where everybody can be their true self, be treated with dignity and respect, and according to their individual needs. We have a number of staff network groups run by staff to support their colleagues. 

Due to the evolving nature of the business, vacancies can become available at any time. Therefore, this campaign may create a reserve list to fulfil demand if it arises which will be held for a period of 12 months. 

Benefits

Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits. 

• Best in class learning and development tailored to your role.
• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
• Generous average employer contribution of 27%, depending on rate of salary and chosen pension scheme.
• 25 days holiday, increasing by one day each year up to 30 days pro rata.
• Access to the staff discount portal.
• 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.

There are many more opportunities and great benefits of working at DVLA, visit our Careers website for further information.   

 

Things you need to know

Selection process details

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

How to Apply   

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV and Personal Statement of up to 500 words. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

For your CV – Please provide your qualifications details and any relevant experience. 

For your personal statement - Please provide detailed evidence of your experience of the following: 

• Working together to achieve an outcome or objective
• Commitment to learning and development. This could be related to employment (paid or voluntary), education, extra-curricular activities or hobbies

Click here for further guidance on writing a CV and personal statement. 

The sift is due to take place from Tuesday 11th June 2024.

Interviews will be held week commencing Monday 24th June 2024.

This interview will be conducted on site at DVLA. Further details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview. 

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates. 

If invited to interview, this may consist of a range of question types. These could include questions around behaviours and how you would respond in any situation as well as specific examples of things you have done. 

The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include: 

• An interview.

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order to be successful. This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.  

For further information on Success Profiles visit our Careers website. 

Please take note that DVLA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. 

This post is offered on a Fixed Term Appointment (FTA) basis.

For permanent Civil Servants, this role is only available on loan, so you must have your home departments approval to return to them at the end of the loan before you apply. There is no opportunity for a permanent Civil Servant to take on this role as a fixed term appointment. OGD applicants will be appointed on an inward loan and subject to the terms of the agreed inward loan. Internal candidates will return to their previous post at the end of the loan period, which will need to be agreed with your line manager in advance. 

If you're employed by a non-departmental public body (NDPB) by moving jobs this will involve a change of employer and you may break the statutory rules on continuity of employment.

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Document Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

This job advert contains links to the DfT Careers website. Our website provides useful guidance and information that can support you during the application process. If you cannot access the information on our website for any reason, please email DRGComms@dft.gov.uk for assistance.

Further Information

For more information about how we hire, and for useful tips on submitting your application for this role, visit the How We Hire page of our DfT Careers website. You can find detailed information about the recruitment process and what to expect when applying for a role.

Pre-employment Checking

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. 

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. 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.