About the job

Job summary

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice and welcome and encourage applications from everyone, such as ethnic minorities, women, disabled people and those who identify as LGBT+. 
 
To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace and making DVSA a great place to work visit our Careers website.  

Do you have excellent analytical  and problem solving skills?

Do you enjoy engaging with external stakeholders updating them on crucial findings?

If so, we are looking to recruit a Hearing Centre Casework Manager to join us at the Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) and we’d love to hear from you!

Job description

The Hearing Centre Casework Manager will work within the Office of the Traffic Commissioner (OTC).

The Traffic Commissioners (TC) have responsibility for the licensing and regulation of GB based operators of heavy and light goods vehicles involved in international transport, buses, and coaches (public service vehicles) and of those who drive them, the registration of local bus services, adjudication of appeals against the impounding of vehicles operated without a valid operator’s license and other functions.

The role holder will be preparing casework on complex Public Inquiry and other hearings.  These may be cases involving the larger operators, those involving multiple operators and drivers or those which are particularly complicated due to the evidence presented and the legislative grounds. They will be responsible for ensuring that all functions are carried out in an efficient and timely manner so that legislative time scales are adhered to, and cases are prepared in accordance with the Statutory Documents, operating instructions, and Service Level Agreements.

The role involves the collation of evidence into public inquiry bundles that are served on parties to the inquiry and ensuring that the TC has all relevant papers in order to make an informed decision. There will be frequent communication with parties and legal representatives.

The role holder will also be responsible for ensuring that any follow up work resulting from hearings is completed appropriately. 

The role holder will work closely with the Hearing Centre Casework Officers providing case management support, mentoring, and coaching to share knowledge to improve quality and standards. 

They will regularly and effectively engage with the traffic commissioners and OTC staff in other hearing centres, the compliance casework team and licensing teams to ensure that a joined-up approach is taken to all functions. They will represent the traffic commissioner at meetings with stakeholders and providing briefing or other supporting documents.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to;

• Preparation and management of public inquiry and other hearing cases to be heard by TCs.
• Ensuring that letters calling parties to the hearings, and evidence bundles are completed in accordance with the Statutory Documents, operating instructions, and service level agreement (SLA).
• Ensuring that actions arising from hearings are progressed, a clear record is made of the outcome and cases are referred to the relevant OTC teams as appropriate.
• Make, and progress, evidence-based decisions on cases under the delegated authority provided by the TCs in accordance with the Statutory Documents and Operating Instructions.
• Attending meetings, both with and on behalf of the TC, with a variety of stakeholders to include operators, industry representatives and enforcement agencies.
• Drafting responses to letters received from stakeholders providing advice and guidance as required.
• Working in collaboration with colleagues across all functions for the good of the OTC and DVSA and to create a high performing and well-respected Agency.

For more information about the role and responsibilities please refer to the Candidate Pack.

Person specification

We are looking for an individual with the following:

• Ability to work under pressure, to adhere to and deliver tight deadlines and in an environment of changing priorities
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify relevant issues and draft clear and concise briefing
• Experience of communicating and working with a range of senior stakeholders, using effective methods to keep stakeholders engaged throughout
• Experience of interpreting complex legislation with an understanding of the function of courts and tribunals

Additional Information

There may be a requirement to travel to other DVSA locations on occasion.

This role will be based at our Edinburgh office, your presence at one of these locations will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. Our current expectation is that you will spend a minimum 40% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards the 40%. Please be aware there is a Civil Service wide expectation to increase office attendance to 60% and we are working on our implementation plan. 

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably. 

 

We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles. 

We’re working hard to:  

• Make roads safer 
• Improve services for our customers 
• Make road transport greener and healthier 
• Harness the potential of technology and data 
• Grow and level up the economy 

We’re committed to giving all our colleagues purpose, professionalism and pride in what we do. We work in supportive, diverse and inclusive teams where everyone is valued. You can grow, develop and progress, and make a real difference to society. 

Benefits

• An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance 
• Exceptional pension with an employer contribution of an average of 27% 
• Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30 
• 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday  
• Latest IT and Tech devices  
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues 
• Excellent learning and development tailored to your role including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level
• Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names
• Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing 
• Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers
• For more information see visit our careers page 

 

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.

How to Apply  

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

For your Personal Statement, please provide detailed evidence of the following:

• Ability to work under pressure, to adhere to and deliver tight deadlines and in an environment of changing priorities
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to identify relevant issues and draft clear and concise briefing
• Experience of communicating and working with a range of senior stakeholders, using effective methods to keep stakeholders engaged throughout
• Experience of interpreting complex legislation with an understanding of the function of courts and tribunals

Your personal statement will be limited to a maximum of 1000 words.

The sift is due to take place from the 4th April 2024.

Interviews are likely to be held week commencing 22nd April 2024.

This interview could be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.

We’ll try to meet the dates we’ve set out in the advert. But there may be occasions when these dates will change. We’ll give you plenty of notice of any important dates.

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

• An interview

If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work for DVSA and how to apply, we will be holding virtual sessions to find out more. Please click here to secure your place at one of our upcoming events.

You’re encouraged to become familiar with the candidate pack as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

The Department for Transport recruits using Success Profiles. For each role, we consider what you need to demonstrate 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.

You can read more about Success Profiles here.

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. 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.