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Inspector of Air Accidents (Operations)

Employer
Department for Transport
Location
Aldershot, Hampshire
Salary
£73,674 - £81,041
Closing date
5 Dec 2019

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Job Details

Location

Aldershot, South East, GU11 2HH

About the job

Are you an experienced pilot seeking an opportunity to make a difference to aviation safety?

If so, we have a rare opportunity to join the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB) to investigate aircraft accidents and serious incidents.

The AAIB is part of the Department for Transport. Its purpose is to improve aviation safety by determining the circumstances and causes of civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents and promoting safety action to prevent recurrence.

For further information about our work please visit our website at www.aaib.gov.uk

Job description

This is an important role at the leading edge of aviation safety. You will be instrumental in determining the operational circumstances in which civil aircraft accidents and serious incidents take place worldwide, identifying factors which influenced the outcome and highlighting areas where change would improve safety.

In conjunction with other specialist investigators, you will interview witnesses, examine operational procedures, plan and conduct tests and trials, and consider the impact of human factors on the events you are investigating.

This is a challenging and evolving field of work and in addition to specialist training you will be expected to keep abreast of the latest technology and techniques.
 

Responsibilities

You will help the international safety investigation community to improve aviation safety globally including by supporting foreign safety investigation authorities and by conducting investigations in the UK’s Overseas Territories and Crown Dependencies.

You will give technical evidence in Coroner’s Courts and other legal proceedings, and you may provide investigative assistance to Service Inquiries into military accidents when required.

You will produce reports of the operational aspects of an event and promote action to improve safety through discussion with relevant parties and by making sound safety recommendations.

Special features of the role

You must be able to work in challenging environments worldwide, sometimes at short notice.

We expect you to be willing and able to work in a wide range of locations and environments on land, including in rough terrain, and possibly at sea.

Due to the nature of AAIB operations, you will be exposed to accident sites and material, including imagery, which may be distressing. You will often be required to use tact and compassion when meeting with the victims of accidents, their families, and other witnesses. It is essential that you consider these requirements before applying for the post.

You will have the opportunity to maintain your Air Transport Pilot’s Licence qualifications with a suitable operator, and to develop your general aviation flying experience.

After 2 years and subject to satisfactory progression, you will be awarded a non-pensionable allowance of £4,000 per annum and become a Senior Inspector. After a further 4 years you may be awarded an additional non-pensionable allowance of £2,000 per annum.

About you

You must have a broad technical and analytical capability across a wide range of aircraft operational subjects, and detailed knowledge of aircraft operations.

You must be able to apply your professional and technical knowledge to aircraft accident investigation, show integrity, be reliable under pressure and accept responsibility. Drive, determination and sound judgement are necessary.

You will have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be capable of producing accurate and clear written reports and have good presentation skills. You will be computer literate.

You will be highly motivated, inquisitive and a critical thinker. You must be able to work under pressure and be comfortable working in a team or independently. You will require considerable diplomatic skills and be able to engage colleagues and external stakeholders in the discussion of new, unfamiliar or complex concepts.

Role requirements

To be eligible to apply, you must have:

• More than 5,000 hours (fixed wing) or 3,000 hours (rotary) as pilot, of which more than 3,000 hours (fixed wing) or 2,000 hours (rotary) was gained operating aircraft over 5,700 kg (fixed wing) or 3,175 kg (rotary) certificated for operation with a minimum crew of two pilots.

• We are particularly interested in speaking with candidates who have more than 500 hours in command of a commercial aircraft.

Licences

EASA Airline Transport Pilot's Licence.
A current Class 1 aviation medical certificate.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Working Together
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • AAIB Competency - Applying Expertise and Technology
  • AAIB Competency - Written Communication

Benefits Being part of the Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of benefits.

This includes:

- a generous annual leave entitlement,
- attractive pension options,
- flexible working,
- good career development opportunities,
- a variety of career paths,
- inclusive working environments and much more to support a healthy work/life balance.

Things you need to know

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

In order to apply, candidates are requested to provide a CV & Personal Statement, please tailor your CV & Personal Statement to demonstrate:

• The breadth of your aviation experience
• Your working knowledge of aviation regulations
• Your motivation for joining the AAIB
• Why you consider you are particularly well suited to the role

The ability to write clearly and accurately is vital to the role, and your personal statement must demonstrate the appropriate standard of written English.

After submission of the first stage of your application you will be invited to complete a Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning test. Following successful completion of the Numerical & Verbal Reasoning Tests, Candidates will be able to submit their CV & Personal Statement.

Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests is 23:55 on 05/12/19. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.

If invited for interview you may be asked questions on topics including:
• What motivates you
• How you would manage situations relevant to the role
• Your previous experience
• Your professional knowledge

We will only give you feedback if you attend an interview.

We use the Civil Service success profiles framework.

The sift is due to take place on the 9th and 10th December.

If successful, candidates will then be invited to a one day assessment centre taking place in Aldershot on either the 8th or 9th January 2020.

We will try to meet the dates set out in the advert. There may be occasions when these dates will change. You will be provided with sufficient notice of the confirmed dates.

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

• a full day of activities including interactive, written and timed exercises

The Department for Transport alongside other Government Departments recruit using Success Profiles. This means for each role we consider what you will need to demonstrate in order 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. For further information on Success Profiles please click here

Your interview may consist of a range of question types. These may include questions about:
• what energises and motivates you
• how you would manage situations relevant to the role
• your previous experience
• your professional skills and knowledge

You are encouraged to become familiar with the role profile, as you may be assessed against any of the criteria recorded within.

Further Information

We have adopted anonymised recruitment. This means that your name, date of birth and other personal details will not be seen by the sift panel.

We may hold a merit list for up to twelve months. During this time, if a similar role is identified and you have been placed on the merit list you may be considered for the post. Within the merit list period, your application form and selection information may be shared across the department and its agencies.

If successful and transferring from another Government Department a criminal record check maybe carried out.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD) as part of pre-employment screening. 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 applicants whose details are held on the IFD will be refused employment.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.

New entrants are expected to join on the minimum of the pay band.

Reasonable adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Any move to DfT will mean you will no longer be able to carry on claiming childcare vouchers.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name :   Ian Bass Email :   [email protected] Telephone :   01252531561   Recruitment team : Email :   [email protected] Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here (https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/) to visit Civil Service Commission

Company

Transport matters – what we do matters.

Transport touches the lives of everyone in the country. Across road, rail, air, sea and space, our transport networks affect homes, businesses, schools, hospitals and more. It’s how we deliver goods to our shops, get people to work and reunite with our loved ones. Our staff know how important their work is and how they fit in.

 

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