About the job

Job summary

Are you an effective communicator? 

Do you have excellent organisational skills with a proven ability to prioritise? 

Are you an effective problem solver with the ability to analyse and interpret information from a variety of sources? 

If so, we would like to hear from you!

Job description

The Hearing Centre Support Officer works 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. 

To work as part of a team providing support for the independently appointed Traffic Commissioner (TC) to enable him/her to undertake their statutory duties in relation to the licensing and regulation of goods and public service vehicle operators and vocational driving licence holders. 

In particular, the role involves the preparation of cases for public inquiry and post hearing case administration. This will ensure the TC and all relevant parties have the required case papers.

The role will include the clerking of public inquiry hearings both at the Hearing Centre and occasional venues away from the Hearing Centre. 

Key Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Adhere to the statutory guidance and directions of the Senior Traffic Commissioner and the relevant Operating Instructions.
• Ensure that a complete and properly prepared call up letter and brief is prepared and despatched in accordance with OTC procedures and in accordance with the SLA.
• Perform the function of clerk at the public inquiry.
• Send all relevant parties an accurate record of the Traffic Commissioner’s decision or written directions in accordance with the SLA and taking all appropriate action as directed.
• Deal with telephone and written enquiries in a positive manner taking into account the data protection legislation, delegated authority and the statutory guidance and directions.
• Execute own responsibilities effectively and in line with Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) policies and processes, ensuring that daily tasks and activities are delivered against agreed objectives.
• Where necessary work in collaboration with colleagues across all functions for the good of the OTC/ DVSA and to create a high performing and well-respected Agency.
• Liaise with relevant internal and external departments to ensure that internal and external customer needs are met and that these requirements are fully communicated throughout the business. 

For further information, please find the attached candidate pack. 

Additional Information

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

This role will be based in Eastbourne, where your presence at this location will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model with the expectation that you will spend a minimum 60% on a DVSA site or on official business giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. 

Whilst we accept applications for those looking for part time work, please note, that there will be a business requirement for successful candidates to work a minimum of 30 hours per week. 

Please note, due to the nature of the role candidates must expect travel and overnight stays, as per business requirements.

Person specification

To be successful in this role, you will have excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to draft complex submissions and letters within a legislative framework. 

• You will have excellent organisational and administrative skills with a proven ability to identify priorities based on risk factor.
• You will have the ability to analyse case work and create complex submissions within a legislative framework.

About Us  

The 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.  

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. 

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, Strengths 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: 

• Excellent verbal and written communications skills with the ability to draft complex submissions and letters within a legislative framework.
• Excellent organisational and administrative skills with a proven ability to identify priorities based on risk factor.
• Ability to analyse case work and create complex submissions within a legislative framework.

Your Personal Statement will be limited to a maximum of 750 words.  

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

• An interview.

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

Interviews are likely to be held week commencing Monday 24th June 2024. 

This interview will 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. 

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 attached, 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.