Kennel Assistant

Defence employs Military Working Dogs to support security tasks as well as for wider operational purposes.  The norm across Defence for delivering the husbandry element of welfare is through the employment of civilian Kennel Assistants, thus releasing Royal Army Veterinary Corps personnel to undertake military training activity. This post will be working within the 1st Military Working Dogs Regiment (1 MWD). The regiment generate and prepare military working dogs and veterinary capabilities, in order to support UK resilience, current and contingent operations and directed tasks.  The regiment comprises of four Regular squadrons, three task squadrons and a Reserve squadron and provides a unique opportunity to work in a dynamic environment like no other! As a Kennel Assistant you will be responsible for ensuring that the welfare standards for our canines is met and maintained. Does this challenge sound of interest? This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

This post requires the ability to feed, groom, handle, and exercise dogs of various breeds, sizes and temperaments. This requires you to be responsible for your own health and safety and that of the animals you are providing care for. As such, previous experience working in this environment is desirable.

The successful candidate will be working outdoors and could be exercising the Military Working Dogs for up to 14 miles per day, in all seasons and weather conditions. Kennel Assistants should also be capable of assisting the veterinary team, which will involve the practice of restraint and manipulation of all breeds of canines. The role is physical in nature and can be completed as part of a team or by lone working.

Kennel Assistants are spilt across 3 teams (6 days on 3 off) which equates to an average 37 hours per

week; a likely shift pattern is:

• 07.30-16.30 Mon - Sat (Please note Friday finish at 16.00hrs)
• 07.30-16.30 Tue - Sun
• 07.30-16.30 Thu - Tue

A Kennel Assistant will be expected to have a basic knowledge of dogs and a comprehensive week-long training package will be delivered by one of our Specialist Instructors to help and assist your development in the role which will include; accurate handling, safe practices in the veterinary squadron (administration of medication), grooming techniques, accurate feeding procedures and many other aspects of the job.

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

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

Alongside your salary of £21,610, Ministry of Defence contributes £5,834 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

• As a civil servant working alongside the Army, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects and a job that makes a difference. The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. 

  Benefits for Army civil servants include: 
  
  

  • 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
  • Highly competitive pension scheme
  • Personal and professional development of skills
  • Alternative working patterns for many roles
  • Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle.
  • Enhanced parental leave
  • 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities
  • Free parking
  • Use of Gymnasium in barracks

  The post does not offer relocation expenses (move of home, excess fares or temporary transfer). Non-Standard move applicants will be eligible for the full package, subject to eligibility.

   Discover my benefits- outlines the range of benefits available to MOD Civil Servants.

The post does not offer relocation expenses.

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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

Job contact :

• Name :Mr Jim Symon
• Email :[email protected]
• Telephone :0300 1675727

Recruitment team

• Email :[email protected]