Naval Base Emergency Response Lead

Job Overview

This is an exceptional opportunity to join the Naval Base Emergency Planning Team, collaborating closely with our Industrial Partners to uphold and enhance the nuclear accident emergency protocols for the Devonport Site. This role is pivotal in ensuring compliance with nuclear Authorisation/Licence, enabling us to fulfill our primary mission of maintaining nuclear-powered submarines. The Navy Command and the Naval Base foster a supportive, adaptable, and motivating work environment where Civil servants and Armed Forces personnel unite in a variety of engaging and challenging roles across diverse fields.

In this position, you will be part of a multifaceted team, working in conjunction with Naval Base departments and industry partners' Emergency Planning Group to deliver a comprehensive emergency planning and response capability for the Devonport Site.

This role is structured for 37 hours per week.

Role Responsibilities

The Devonport site serves as a crucial Defence asset, functioning as an Operating and Support Base for the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, providing a range of direct and indirect support services for the Naval Service. It encompasses HMS DRAKE, extensive industrial facilities, and various military and non-military lodger units, including significant contributions from Defence Equipment & Support, Submarine Delivery Agency, and Flag Officer Sea Training. The site is supported by key Industry Partners such as Babcock, Mitie, and Serco, and is characterized as a Base, Barracks, Port & Dockyard.

The Naval Base Commander Devonport is tasked with delivering a World-Class, Secure, Safe, and Integrated Operating and Support Base for the Royal Navy, with a mission to support the Royal Navy globally from Devonport. A significant aspect of this responsibility involves supporting the submarine program and maintaining Nuclear facilities, which are regulated by the Defence Nuclear Safety Regulator (DNSR) under DSA02-DNSR Safety Regulations to achieve Nuclear Authorisation.

The Emergency Planning & Response 1 (EPR1) position is accountable for fulfilling the role of: part of the EPR Intelligent Customer function, assessing the delivery of contracted services under the Future Maritime Support Programme; developing and maintaining emergency plans and associated documentation; facilitating the planning and execution of nuclear emergency response training, drills, and exercises; managing the Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation (NERO) Baseline; and assisting in the review of Site Clearance requests, concessions, and design modifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Acting as the Suitably Qualified and Experienced Person (SQEP) Naval Base lead for the upkeep and evaluation of the Devonport On-Site Emergency Plan – DEVNUSAFE, in direct support of Authorisation Condition 11 (AC11).
• Facilitating the planning and execution of Nuclear emergency exercises on the Devonport site, demonstrating compliance with the NAEA in accordance with Radiation (Emergency Preparedness and Public Information) Regulations 2019 and in direct support of AC11.
• Serving as the SQEP Intelligent Customer (IC) for assessing, auditing, and reviewing activities and processes conducted by Devonport Royal Dockyard Ltd (DRDL) in line with the Future Maritime Support Programme (FMSP) contract, ensuring adequate support for the site Nuclear Accident Emergency Arrangements (NAEA).
• Maintaining and updating the Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation (NERO) Baseline to ensure a viable and compliant Response Organisation, providing information to the NAEA Facility Operator regarding training status across the site in direct support of AC11.
• Planning and delivering the testing of the full Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation Communication System, including analysis of the test, in direct support of AC 11.
• Serving as a Backup Devonport Accident Control Centre (DACC) Coordinator as part of a duty Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation roster, maintaining SQEP, participating in exercises, drills, and training, and directly supporting AC 11 and the NAEA.
• Contributing to the production of the Nuclear Accident Emergency Arrangements (NAEA) Annual Report for presentation to the Management Safety Committee.
• Scrutinizing Site Clearance Certificates and managing the release and acceptance of, or agreeing concessions on maintenance for equipment that directly supports the NAEA, ensuring assurance from Maintenance and Design Managers that equipment, systems, and supporting facilities remain fit for purpose.
• Providing training to key Nuclear Response Organisation Personnel, specifically Duty Commanding Officers (DCOs) in their role as Stable Iodine Tablets (SITs) Distribution Coordinator and the Naval Base Duty Officers (NBDOs) as the MOD Forward Command Post Coordinator.
• Acting as the SQEP Naval Base lead to sponsor the MOD Shelter Station Marshalls and Exclusion Zone Reception Centre (EZRC) Cell Instructions.

Essential Training Requirements

Pre-Joining Training

Demonstrated knowledge of Nuclear Authorisation and Nuclear Accident Emergency Arrangements is essential.

Post-Joining Training

• Local Emergency Procedures Course (LEPC)
• Nuclear Emergency Procedures Course (NEPC)
• Local Mandatory Training
• Cabinet Office accredited training (specifically Introduction to Civil Protection)
• Lead Auditor Course
• Nuclear Introduction Course (NIC)
• Nuclear Site Safety Justification Course (NSSJC)
• Wider Nuclear Emergency Response Training (provided externally) including emergency command and control
• Project Management Training

Training locations may require travel to attend.

Behaviours and Technical Skills

During the selection process, candidates will be assessed against the following behaviours:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills to be evaluated include:

• Nuclear Competence in Nuclear Emergency Preparedness - Understanding how the Defence Nuclear Enterprise develops plans to respond to a nuclear emergency.
• Nuclear Competence in Nuclear Emergency Response Events, Demonstrations, and Exercises - Understanding how the Defence Nuclear Enterprise organizes roles and responsibilities to respond to a nuclear emergency.

Benefits

In addition to a salary of £35,290, the Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 towards membership in the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. HM Naval Base Devonport offers a modern working environment with on-site facilities including coffee shops, gym, swimming pool, and various recreational, leisure, and sporting opportunities, as well as a children’s nursery and diverse dining options. Additional benefits include:

• Tailored learning and development opportunities
• Flexible working options
• A culture that promotes inclusion and diversity
• An average employer contribution of 27% to your pension
• 25 days of annual leave, increasing by one day each year to a maximum of 30 days, plus public holidays

This position is listed on the MOD Civilian Nuclear Post Control List (PCL) and may be eligible for the Nuclear Recruitment and Retention Allowance (RRA), which is discretionary. Listing on the PCL does not guarantee entitlement to the RRA, which can be amended or withdrawn without notice according to MOD policy.

Potential total salary and RRA allowance could reach £47,290, all of which is pensionable earnings.

Some roles may offer a combination of office and home-based working, subject to business needs and capacity. All office-based employees are expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in the office. Applicants can inquire about specific arrangements from the Vacancy Holder.

External recruits new to the Civil Service will undergo a six-month probation period.

Please note that travel expenses for interviews will not be reimbursed.

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment, including educating staff on the benefits of a smoke-free workplace.

Participation in the MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey may occur to help improve customer satisfaction, and responses will be anonymous.