About the job

Job summary

A maximum weight Heavy Goods Vehicle is presented to you for its annual test.

Your ability to spot a defect is crucial.

Your understanding of road-worthiness standards is essential.

You determine if the vehicle is legally compliant.

You protect the public from unsafe vehicles.

You are a Vehicle Standards Assessor.

Please note: this role is known internally as a Vehicle Standards Assessor and will be referenced as this throughout.

Job description

As a Vehicle Standards Assessor, you will:

• Conduct annual test inspections.
• Record results digitally and issue documentation.
• Offer advice on vehicle safety and maintenance.
• Ensure larger vehicles are safe to be on Britain’s roads.
• Contribute to the safety of all road users.
• Travel to a number of 3rd party testing facilities.
• Work flexibly in-line with the operating model.

To view the responsibilities of the role in more detail, please see the attached Candidate Pack.

To find out more about the job and to get some advice on the application process, please join us at one of our virtual events where you will also have an opportunity to ask questions. You can register for an event here. There are a number of DVSA events scheduled, so please be sure to select one of the Vehicle Standards Assessor events.

Person specification

You will have:

• In accordance with legislative requirements, at least 3 years of experience in the repair, maintenance or inspection of at least one type of road vehicle, e.g. car, HGV, PSV.
• A current full driving license to drive category B vehicles.
• A willingness to drive on DVSA business within a wide geographical area.
• Good customer service skills.

Additional Information

Vehicle Standards Assessors conduct tests out of 3rd party Authorised Testing Facilities (ATFs).

Whilst Vehicle Standards Assessors are deployed from home, please carefully consider the location you apply for. We recommend you are within 30-45 minutes travel time of your chosen location as you will be required to conduct tests at a number of ATFs within that area.

You will be provided with a lease car to facilitate the travel.

We encourage part time applicants but please be aware, for this role there is a business requirement for successful applicants to be available to work 28 hours per week.

This role doesn’t require physical repair work, but there is a physical nature to the role which involves climbing up into larger vehicles to inspect the inside, and also a need to climb in and out of a pit to inspect the underside.

There will be extensive training on all aspects of the role, which should last around 16 weeks, and you will need to be proficient using laptop computers and smart phones, as we operate a digital first approach. The majority of training will take place at ATFs and online using Microsoft Teams. There will also be a few weeks where training will take place in DVSA training locations, usually in Bristol or Manchester.

Reserve List Information

Some of the locations advertised will not have posts available immediately. However, we will hold a Reserve List for up to 12 months and will be in touch with the successful candidates when they become available.

During your application, you should indicate which location you wish to be considered for and, if successful, you will be placed on an individual list of candidates for each location.

Candidates will be held on that list and drawn from it in merit order. We advise you to carefully consider which location you wish to be considered for. If you decline an offer for a location you have expressed a preference in, you will be withdrawn from any lists you may be held on.

We may also offer candidates a location that they have not expressed a preference for where we have the requirement to do so but this will again be done on the basis of your place in the overall merit order and, in this event, you will not be removed from the list if you decline. 

About Us

The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably. Our work affects millions of people and thousands of businesses. Most importantly, our work saves lives.

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 applications from all communities. We don’t discriminate against any identity. We are interested to hear from you regardless of your background

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, Ability and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a 500-word 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:

• What your (minimum of 3 years) hands on mechanical experience includes.

Following the close of the application window, an initial sift will take place based on the Personal Statement provided.

Candidates who achieve the minimum standard required at this stage will be progressed and invited to attend an interview/assessment.

We’ve designed the selection process specifically for this role. So your interview/assessment will include:

• A multiple-choice technical assessment.
• An interview.

Interviews/assessments are likely to be held from 1st May 2024 and take place over a 3-week period. They will be held face-to-face at a DVSA facility, 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. 

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.