Range Technician

Job summary

The Range at Porton Down spans approximately 7,000 acres of land and facilities, supporting a diverse portfolio of defence-focused trials, test and evaluation activities, and specialist training. The effective delivery of these activities, alongside the upkeep and management of the range, is critical to maintaining Dstl's sovereign capabilities and supporting the development of future Defence capability.

The Range Technician role sits within the Range and Trials Coordination team, who are responsible for enabling and supporting these activities. This includes contributing to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) Science and Technology programme and working collaboratively with Armed Forces personnel, as well as internal and external customers, to deliver high-end scientific, technical and operational outputs. The role predominantly involves hands-on, practical work to support the successful delivery of trials and training events.
Range Technicians play a direct role in preparing, supporting and recovering trials activities conducted on the range, working alongside scientists, engineers, military personnel and trial specialists to enable the safe and effective execution of complex experiments and demonstrations. The nature of the work is highly varied, requiring adaptable individuals who can respond to changing operational demands and undertake a broad range of tasks across different environments and technical disciplines. Many trials support the development, testing and assessment of future Defence capabilities, making the work both nationally important and directly relevant to the protection of UK interests.

Operating within a high-hazard environment, the role involves physically demanding activities and requires a strong commitment to safety, professionalism and teamwork. From supporting hazardous operations and specialist equipment through to working in challenging outdoor environments, Range Technicians are at the heart of some of the most unique, varied and technically interesting work undertaken within the Civil Service, providing an opportunity to contribute directly to cutting-edge Defence science and technology whilst maintaining the highest standards of safety and operational excellence.

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.

Job description

You will support the delivery of a diverse range of range, trial and coordination activities, working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders to ensure operations are delivered safely, effectively and efficiently both on and off site. You will undertake range support and trial delivery activities in accordance with approved procedures, safe systems of work and operational requirements.

You will operate, maintain and safely use a variety of technical equipment, plant machinery, communications systems, IT platforms and personal protective equipment (PPE), ensuring equipment remains serviceable and fit for purpose. You will maintain high standards of safety, compliance and professionalism while supporting the successful delivery of operational and customer requirements.

For more information on the job responsibilities, please see the job profile attached below.

Person specification

You will be able to demonstrate experience of working outdoors in varied conditions, alongside basic IT skills and confidence using Microsoft Outlook, Excel and Word. You will hold a full UK driving licence and have experience of wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) to ensure tasks are carried out safely and effectively.For more information on the essential criteria, please see the job profile attached.

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.

Licences

Full UK driving licence

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,039, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £8,122 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our