About the job

Job summary

Dstl’ s Engineering Capability manufactures bespoke prototype items for Defence, other government departments and UK security. The WPM role carries delegated authority to manage activities in a practical mechanical and electronics workplace safely, securely, sustainably and resiliently at all times for all users, contractors and visitors.

The WPM role provides day-to-day safety management of a busy engineering workshop environment with a wide breadth of machinery and activity. Workplace Manager will also provide leadership and guidance on development of Safety related aspects of projects fully utilising their own engineering and safety Knowledge. Being a Key interface between the setting of work requirements and the implementation into the workplace.

Commitment

Dstl’s Executive leadership are fully committed to fostering and leading a strong safety culture that delivers against our vision and enables our vital support to UK Defence and Security. In doing so,  we are looking to all our employees to embrace this intent and be a partner for success. If we all make that collective commitment it will allow our thinking and innovation in science and technology to flourish; if done correctly, the management of health, safety and wellbeing will enable the supercharging of Dstl’s scientific and technological prowess.

Our People are Dstl’s greatest asset; your health, safety and welfare are of paramount importance and Dstl’s Safety and Environment Management System is configured to ensure this. Everyone has a responsibility for their health, safety and welfare and that of their colleagues and others who may be affected by our actions. We encourage and empower all our employees to speak up when they have any concerns regarding Health, Safety and Wellbeing so we drive a Safety First approach.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

In this role you will:
•    Allocate and manage appropriate space and equipment for work activities within the workplace for operational users and ensure that the spaces and equipment are fit for purpose and safe;
•    Ensure a safe and secure system of work within the workplace by fulfilling the WPM H&S roles and responsibilities, key working interfaces with other roles at Dstl, and the ‘Working Safely at Dstl’ process to achieve the Safe and Secure system of work; 
•    Manage the workplace and workplace activities to ensure that the requirements of the SSoW can be met;
•    Ensure that all works can be completed within the defined operating envelope of  the Engineering Capability and the workplace;

Please see full job description at the bottom of the page 

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:
•    The ability to manage the Engineering Capability workplace and operations, within business parameters  
•    The ability to impart technical expertise to manage the hazards and risks arising from the activities undertaken to ensure compliance with Dstl Policy, relevant legislative and regulatory requirements – through developing, validating, implementing and maintaining suitable Safety Risk Assessments (SRAs), Safe Systems of Work (SSoW), and other relevant safety governance for the delivery team;
•    The ability to keep the building Facilities Manager (FM)  informed of the hazards in the workplace and any impact to the agreed hazard profiles as a result of changes to, or the introduction of new operations and activities;
•    The ability to ensure compliance of all non-fixed assets in the workplace and to ensure they remain fit for purpose; 
•    The ability to ensure compliance of legislations relevant to a practical engineering workplace environment, eg: PUWER, LOLER, PSSR, DSEAR, COSHH, LEV, MHE.
•    The ability to gain assurance compliance of all fixed assets and building infrastructure and to work with stakeholders to enact improvement and upgrade plans

• The ability to act as the Nominate Responsible Person (NRP) for activities within the workplace for Health, Safety, Environmental and Security issues;

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,970, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £9,711 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.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you

Sifting will take place during the lifespan of the advert with interviews will be arranged week commencing 15th January 2024

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

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

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.