CANDIDATE PACK. Centre for Applied Science and Technology. Candidate Pack Systems Engineers

Transcription

1 CANDIDATE PACK Centre for Applied Science and Technology

2 NOTES TO CANDIDATES The closing date for applications is Monday 6 th October, 2014 We will only accept applications via the online application form at: We will not accept CV only applications THE POSTS There are a number of posts across a range of disciplines. These posts are permanent and pensionable. CAST s facilities at Sandridge and Langhurst are secure sites and postholders will need to be security cleared to SC level in order to take up the post. These are non-reserved posts. Salary: Current starting salary is 28,719. These posts currently attract a Recruitment and Retention allowance (RRA) of 2,000 per annum, subject to one year s service at CAST and satisfactory completion of probation, paid as a separate pensionable allowance. Job description and location of post This is a recruitment campaign for various Scientific and Engineering posts at Scientific Officer (SO) grade within various Functional Homes working across a range of CAST subject matters. Specific assignments will be agreed on an ad hoc basis, but in general terms the role of an SO at CAST typically encompasses the following: Undertakes scientific/technical work under supervision, often as part of a team, working to objectives that are narrowly defined. Provides technical support usually under supervision. Researches technical subjects providing where appropriate conclusions and recommendations Provides detailed scientific or technical information on a well-defined subject (acting as a domain specialist in a narrow field) Designs, conducts and reports on experiments under supervision Supports more senior technical staff at stakeholder meetings May manage a basic project or task These posts can be based at either Langhurst or Sandridge however travel between the two sites may be required (any additional expense incurred will be reimbursed in line with HO guidance).

3 Qualifications and Experience Applicants must be qualified to at least Honours degree level at 2.2 as a minimum in a systems engineering, engineering management or a closely related single or joint honours subject with a strong engineering element. Degree courses with relevant engineering or technical institute accreditation are preferred. You must also have a good understanding of the principles and practice of science and engineering work within your professional area. Desirable Previous experience in taking designs through from concept to production. Must be innovative, flexible, with a hands-on experimental approach. Joining us at CAST you will use your knowledge and skills to solve problems that really matter to everyone, whilst developing a wide range of technical expertise. CAST has a strong focus on maintaining and developing the skills of its staff, enabling and funding access to a wide range of training. Staff are expected to take responsibility for their own learning and career development, with support from their line management. Guidance on Competency Based Interviewing The Home Office uses a competency based interview format where the interviewer asks candidates to recall specific instances when they demonstrated a skill. You will need to provide relevant examples, from the workplace or other activities, that illustrate when and how well you have demonstrated the assessed skills. However before you can do this, you need to identify which skills the assessor will want to know about. The best way to do this is to study the job advert and highlight all of the skills mentioned. You will then need to choose examples where you used the required skill. Where possible, try to use examples from work, however if this is difficult you may draw upon examples from elsewhere such as voluntary work, family life or education. Interviewers may ask for more than one example particularly if you have given an example from outside of work. Often they are satisfied with the example on the application form and want to hear how you used the skill in another situation. An example can be built using the STAR model. Situation Briefly clarify what the situation was. Usually this can t be marked by the assessors as it doesn t give any information on the skill, so keep it brief, like a news headline. Task What was your role? Identify any risks that you faced. What was particularly challenging about the situation or your ability to demonstrate the competency or skill? (This could be about the resources available, deadlines, finances etc.). Action Describe how you responded to the task, be very specific about your role and responsibilities and talk about what I (you) did rather than what we (other people) did. Avoid generalisations such as I always show consideration to my colleagues as these are not good evidence; the interviewer needs specific evidence of when and how you were considerate to your colleagues.

4 What considerations did you take? Don t just state what action you took in the end; detail how you arrived at your decision and why. Results Describe the outcome and show your ability to reflect on the impact of what you did. Quantify your answer to show how your use of the skill impacted the situation e.g. by detailing: percentages, time period, number of cases, and impact on business outputs. The outcome should link to the challenge in the task section. Competency Stages It is essential that you complete the application form fully but concisely, providing evidence for each of the required competencies. It is important that you review the competencies given in both the Science & Engineering (S&E) Professional Framework and the Civil Service Competency Framework (CSCF) at EO level in order to assist you in presenting your competency responses links to both are provided on the microsite. Please also read the additional scientific and engineering indicators provided in the S&E framework for use with the CSCF competencies. The stages in which you will be asked to demonstrate your skills/competencies are as set out in the table below (see Application and Selection for more details): Competency Application Interview Presentation Setting the direction: Making effective decisions Y N Y Delivering results: Delivering at pace N Y N Engaging people: Leading and communicating Engaging people: Collaborating and partnering Securing, maintaining and developing relevant technical expertise. N Y N Y Y N Y Y N Applying scientific and technical expertise. Y N Y

5 APPLICATION AND SELECTION Applications To access the online application form please use the Apply Now button on the relevant page on the Recruitment Microsite which can be accessed at: The closing date for applications is Monday 6 th October, 2014 For further details regarding this post please contact: ras.candidates@capita.co.uk TEL: The applicants who appear from the information available to have the best qualifications and experience will be invited to attend testing/interviews planned to be held during November 2014 at either our Langhurst or Sandridge sites. As mentioned previously, it is therefore essential that you complete the application form fully but concisely, providing evidence for each of the required competencies in the CSCF and S&E Frameworks (included with the job advert on Civil Service Jobs). Relevant competencies for each part of the application and assessment process are detailed below. The interview panel will recommend the candidate considered most suitable for appointment. The successful candidate will be subject to checks on health, finance, nationality and other matters before an appointment can be formally offered. Reserve List Please be aware that where a suitable post is not available, successful candidates may be held on a reserve list for up to 12 months. Expenses Expenses incurred while attending interview will not be reimbursed. Competency based application form Applicants will be assessed against the standard government competency frameworks relevant to these posts. Applicants will be required to provide evidence of the following competencies on their application form in line with the above table: Civil Service Core Competency Framework (CSCF) (*including indicators from the S&E Framework): Setting the direction: Making effective decisions Engaging people: Collaborating and partnering Science & Engineering Professional Framework: Securing, maintaining and developing relevant technical expertise

6 Applying scientific and technical expertise. Assessment Day Timing Candidates who are successful at the sifting stage will be invited to an assessment day at either Langhurst, near Horsham, Sussex or Sandridge, St Albans, Hertfordshire (currently scheduled to take place during November 2014). We aim to give applicants at least two week s notice of the assessment dates. The assessment will be in two parts: a technical assignment with presentation and an interview lasting approximately one and half hours. There may also be the opportunity of a brief site tour. Technical assignment and presentation The candidate will be provided with a fictitious problem appropriate to the relevant discipline and asked to present an analysis of the problem and some potential solutions. The exercise will assess the following competencies: Civil Service Core Competency Framework (CSCF) (*including indicators from the S&E Framework): Setting the direction: Making effective decisions Science & Engineering Professional Framework: Applying scientific and technical expertise Please note that you are not expected to have any prior knowledge of the area; all the information you will need to complete the exercise is given to you with the instructions and any supporting information/materials supplied on the day. No familiarisation material is required for this exercise. Competency based interview The competency based interview will seek to gather further evidence against the following four competencies and also evidence of your professional expertise: Civil Service Core Competency Framework (CSCF) (*including indicators from the S&E Framework): Delivering results: Delivering at pace Engaging people: Leading and communicating Engaging people: Collaborating and partnering Science & Engineering Professional Framework: Securing, maintaining and developing relevant technical expertise