DEPUTY ARMOURY MANAGER

A vacancy has arisen for a Sgt (Eng Tech W) to serve as DEPUTY ARMOURY MANAGEMENT at RAF COSFORD on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) Terms and Conditions of Service (TCoS), with an initial proposed start date of 01 April 2024.

The successful candidate will be responsible for:

• The management of SZ3 engineering personnel within the Station Armoury in the absence of the Armoury Manager, including mmonitoring and maintaining quantity and quality of the output and motivating team members. Including:
  • The planning and co-ordination of Armoury work including the monitoring workflow and accountable for meeting team deadlines, dealing with queries raised by other team members and monitoring those referred up the line where the individual cannot deal with it themselves.
  • Implementing new policies, procedures and priorities set by higher authority.
  • Completing attendance records and approving leave requests. Representing the team at meetings, workshops and with external customers
  • Accountability for monitoring and ensuring compliance with H&S Instructions
  • Ensuring the training and development of staff i.a.w current policy and that all personnel have completed their mandatory training.
  • Maintaining and updating staff's RAF F4820 and ensuring orders are signed annually and on amendment.

• The day-to-day operational control of all resources within the SESS Armoury in accordance with current regulations and locally issued orders, including:
  • Maintaining the Danger Building Logbook, ensuring appropriate quarterly checks and sign-off and defects are reported to the RPC.
  • Ensuring compliance with the Air Training Corps parenting duties as detailed in the Parenting Statement
  • Acting as the Armoury's Deputy Engineering Authorisations Competence Assessor
  • Ensuring that all Armoury personnel receive on-the-job training and, on successful completion, recording the training on the tradesman's RAF F4820. Training on Ground Training Aids (Aircraft) (GTA(A)) and recording training on the SESS Training and Competency Assessment Form.
• Overseeing the maintenance and modification of armament role equipment in support of WSTS, TCF, EDF and 238 Sqn, including pylons, Ejection Release Units (ERU), and Aircraft Assisted Escape Systems.
• Undertake the duties and responsibilities of the Unit Explosives Safety Representative (ESR). Ensuring:
  • The safe storage and control of explosives i.a.w current policy; the implementation of the Joint Service Munitions Control Register (JSMCR)
  • The maintenance of records and documentation, and the observation of orders relating to explosives
  • Maintaining a current list of personnel authorised to collect / receive explosives at RAF Cosford, and ensuring the list is updated.
  • Ensuring that monthly Managerial Snap Checks of the munitions account are initiated and recorded.
  • Ensuring the latest version of ESTC Standard No 6, Part 2, is always utilised and all required authorisation signatures are included in the completed document.
  • Ensuring that all PES Logbooks are checked each month and all applicable aspects of specialist tests are verified as being completed to timescale.
  • Ensuring that when specialist test dates of PES buildings are likely to expire before another test can be completed, an application for approved variation to regulations is submitted to HQ Air. Further, to ensure that if the application is refused, the relevant PES is emptied of explosives until the test(s) have been satisfactorily completed.

Must either have been, or currently be, a Sgt (Eng Tech W) or a Cpl (Eng Tech W) eligible for promotion in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 2 Leaflet 560 and AP 3376 Vol 1. All Promotions will be ratified by means of a Promotion Board. If an applicant has been out of full-time military service and is applying for a post on promotion, they will also need to send their civilian appraisals or equivalent to evidence recent skills, knowledge and experience to be considered by the Promotion Board.

• Q|Q-W-ESM(Explosives Safety Manager)
• Q|Q-W-GDSA-MAN (Small Arms Manager)
• Q|Q-W-GDSA Ground Defence Small Arms
• Q WPS (RAM) Workplace Radiation Supervisor
• Authorised Rep DG Class1
• Q|Q-HSW-MS
• Q|Q-HSW-RISK
• Q-HSW-MH(I)
• Experience of running Small Arms Armoury.
• Explosive Safety Representative ESR for unit.
• Knowledge and experience of ATC organisation and parenting inspections.

A Selection Board will carry out a rigorous selection process for this post, based principally on an applicant’s last 3 appraisal reports as required.  Enquiries concerning this vacancy should be made to:

Name: Mr Mick Griffiths – Armoury Manager

Tel: 01902 377340 – Email - Mick.Griffiths@mod.gov.uk

Applications.  Candidate applications, with a maximum 2-page CV (to include copies of last 3/4 appraisal reports as required) should be sent to:

Sqn Ldr Garf Parker – garf.parker191@mod.gov.uk – OC Ops Support Wing/OC CMT

The closing date for applications is 11 December 2023 and interviews (unless prom board required) will take place shortly afterwards.

Unless already enlisted in the Reserve Air Forces the successful applicant will be required to be enlisted in the Royal Air Force Reserves with a liability for call-out for permanent service.

The appointment is on Full Time Reserve Service (Home Commitment) TCoS in accordance with AP 3392 Vol 7 Part 1 and AP3392 Vol 7 Part 3 Chapter 2 for an initial period of 4 years.

Confirmation of appointment will depend on successful completion of a RAF Medical Board.  Personnel who do not meet the Age/Permanent Joint Medical Employment Standard (PJMES) may apply for the appointment but will only be considered subject to an executive waiver process on a case-by-case basis.

Candidates who have been out of regular or reserve service for more than 5 years may be considered for this appointment.  Prior approval must be sought from the relevant Professions Advisor to confirm current and past experience prior to being invited to interview.

Applicants of an equivalent rank from sister Services may apply but will only be accepted into the Royal Air Force Reserves if an appropriate Professions advisor can be identified to sponsor the applicant.  The relevant Profession’s advisor approval must be agreed before the interview.

Regular Service Applicants.  Personnel currently serving in the Regular Royal Air Force should be mindful of the current Early Termination Minimum Waiting Time (MWT) for their respective Rank, Profession and ensure this MWT is compatible with the post sponsor’s proposed start date, prior to applying.

Admin Discharge.  Ex-service candidates who have been administratively discharged through the KR1027 process will have their applications rejected as they are not eligible to join the RAF Reserves in accordance with AP 3391 (Vol 3, Lft 207, Annex L, Para 1a).

Pension Issues.  Personnel who qualify for a service pension should take financial advice from Defence Business Services (DBS) Pensions Department on the effect that undertaking reserve service has on their pension (details can be found on the JPA splash screen). Additional guidance can also be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/pensions-and-compensation-for-veterans and MMP116 - Re-employment. Of particular note is reference to the ‘Effect of Re-employment’ on Commutation and, for those leaving on a ‘preserved’ pension, the Resettlement Grant.

Transition between TCoS.  Personnel taking this appointment from other TCoS should consider the impact on any accrued entitlements, such as leave, resettlement etc and should seek specialist guidance where required as certain entitlements are TCoS specific and may not be retained or transferred on transition between TCoS. 

Flexible Working Arrangements.  In accordance with the Flexible Working (FW) Policy, Reserve personnel can request FW arrangements with their line manager.  Any immediate FW requirements should be agreed with the line management at the interview stage.

Individual Reinforcement Training (IRT) (Module 1) and RAF Fitness Test (RAFFT).  Reserve personnel are required to maintain currency in IRT and the RAFFT iaw the relevant TCoS.  The successful applicant will be expected to undertake IRT and the RAFFT within 6 months of commencing employment (if required).

Annual Salary and Leave.  Pay will be in accordance with the pay scales published for the reserve air forces.  Leave entitlement is detailed in JSP 760.

Accommodation. Personnel serving on FTRS(LC/HC)/ADC TCoS are eligible to occupy Single Living Accommodation (SLA) if available, at entitled rates, if serving within the Air Command TLB.