This is an exciting opportunity to join the Wessex Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association as a Logistical Support Officer (Cadet Administrative Assistant), responsible for providing expert services in support of the Ministry of Defence. This is a full time post based at Exeter, Devon EX2 5BY, and the post holder is expected to reside within daily travelling distance.
The Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association (RFCA) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting and promoting the 4,500 tri-service Reservists and 14,600 Cadets across the seven counties of the South West (Cornwall, Devon, Somerset, Dorset, Gloucestershire Wiltshire, the City & County of Bristol) plus the Channel Islands, as well as providing support and assistance to the employers of Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers.
As an organisation we engage with the community in order to improve understanding of the roles and needs of the Armed Forces in general and the Reserve and Cadet Forces in particular. We are dedicated to raising awareness of the contribution they make to the nation and our region. Most importantly, we ensure that the outstanding contribution made to the local community by members of the Reserve and Cadet Forces is recognised and celebrated by the local community.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
4. Responsibilities and duties of the CAA include:
a. Act as Site Assurance Advisor for those elements of RFCA managed ACF & Joint Cadet Estate within the assigned geographic area of responsibility, leading on the production and periodic review of Risk Assessments pertaining to “Safe Place” within those sites implementing and controlling the 4C’s process.
b. Maintain routine Estate Health Surveillance within those managed sites, raising and monitoring Works Service Requests, in response to identified faults, damages, deficiencies, security risks or as consequence of Statutory & Mandatory Inspections & Testing (SMIT) findings.
c. Implement frost and winter precautions at allocated ACF sites when necessary, whilst monitoring mains services, water testing, heating, lighting and cleaning operation/standards at that location.
d. Raise Equipment Failure Reports (EFR) and or loss reports as required, for all faults, damages or deficiencies identified with equipment on charge to the ACF Company and its Detachments, in accordance with policy and direction from CQM.
e. Manage Defence clothing across the ACF Company in liaison with the Cadet Stores Assistant, including initial issue to new cadets, exchanges for CFAVs and cadets and withdrawal from departing CFAVs and cadets.
f. Act as Area Armourer, assisting in the managing the County Armskote and those Arms Chests on charge to the Detachments, controlling in conjunction with the CEO/CQM.
g. Issue of and accounting for equipment required to support Coy and Wiltshire County ACF led training events, to include accounting for and controlling the administration of County Adult Volunteer Courses
h. Act as Area Fleet Manager for those RFCA vehicles and trailers assigned to the ACF Company through the CLARITY system where required, via private hire.
i. The booking and compilation of ACF training/activities requests via BAMs and administration as authorised by the CEO, County Training Officer and/or County Quartermaster (CQM). Responsibilities include attending the scheduled monthly Salisbury Plain Training Area (SPTA) booking conferences and representing the ACF for all planned training activities on SPTA.
j. Responsible for the armoury at Devizes and serves as the third key holder for all ACF Detachment weapon storage sites. Duties include controlling access to the armouries and conducting weekly stock checks in compliance with current regulations.
k. Maintain regular liaison with the County Quartermaster (CQM) and fellow CAAs/County Stores Assistant regarding ACF training activities, ensuring the provision of accommodation and infrastructure services as needed. Be prepared to provide cover for fellow CAAs/CSA during periods of sickness, absence, or leave.
l. Supported by CEO and CQM, act as the ACF Company Commander’s principle advisor on enabling function policy issues (logistics, transport, facilities and SHE&SD, administration).
m. Supporting the CEO and CQM, submit Reports & Returns in a timely manner, maintaining shared online databases as required and contribute to the MOD mandated assurance and checking regimes pertinent to the logistics, range management, equipment, H&S and security functions.
n. Responsible for all aspects of Equipment Care (EC) policy, including monitoring technical publications, conducting monthly inspections for serviceability and quantity, identifying and reporting faults, and overseeing equipment maintenance. Serves as the point of contact for all EC-related matters within their area of responsibility.
o. Responsible for managing the handover and takeover of the Cadet Training Centre during its use by supported Company.
p. Maintain up-to-date knowledge and competency by completing all mandatory courses as required by WxRFCA.
q. Remain up to date and proficient with all changes to policies and regulations.
r. Be prepared to deploy in logistic support of ACF residential activity, e.g. Summer Camp.
s. Act as the Local Area Security Officer as it relates to the geographical Area of their responsibility, advising on all relevant aspects of security, focusing in particular on the movement and storage of Weapons, Ordnance, Munitions, Explosives (OME).
t. Other duties as directed by the CEO/CQM consistent with the general duties required of the job’s position and grade.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
5. Person Specification requirements for the Wx RFCA CAA post are outlined on page 4 of this Job Description. They will be measured via the application form, at interview or through a minimum of two references during any recruiting phase.
ALL HOURS WORKED CONTRACT AND ANNUAL LEAVE
6. All Hours Worked (AHW) Contract. The CAA (Gold) is employed on an AHW Contract. The AHW formula was introduced to provide a comprehensive method of remuneration as a permanent stable addition to basic pay for certain members of the PSS across the United Kingdom. The AHW formula recognises the requirement for additional hours to be worked on a routine basis in the evenings and over weekends.
7. Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) and Weekly Hours. Staff on AHW Contracts do not qualify for overtime but re-balancing of hours may be authorised to ensure that the provisions of the Working Time Regulations on hours worked are complied with and ensure suitable rest time is given. Wx RFCA staff on AHW Contracts are required to record their hours worked (Cascade) which will be subject to audit by the CEO and/or Wx RFCA. Averaged out over a 17 week period, the hours worked for CAAs is 42 hours per week.
8. Annual Leave. Annual leave, excluding public holidays, is 25 days per annum rising up to 30 days after 5 years’ service with the RFCA. Previous service in the MOD or public sector will count towards qualifying years’ service.
MEMBERSHIP OF THE ARMY CADET FORCE (ACF), CLEARANCES AND MEDICAL
9. ACF Membership. As a member of the ACF PSS, the CAA is required to join the ACF. Suitability for membership will be assessed as part of the recruitment process. All CAAs are required to attend and be accommodated on the County ACF’s annual camp, located in a Ministry of Defence training camp or training area away from the County and place of work (annual camps are generally 12 to 14 days in duration but may be longer for PSS due to advance party requirements).
10. ACF Rank and Volunteer Allowance. ACF PSS at CAA level who become members of the ACF will be appointed the rank of ACF Sergeant Major Instructor (equivalent to Warrant Officer Class 2 in the Regular/Reserve Army) and as such may be eligible for daily Volunteer Allowance when conducting ACF business. Volunteer Allowance, where permissible, will not exceed 28 days per annum without higher authority to permit a maximum of 50 days if activity is ACF centric. Volunteer Allowance rates are set by the Ministry of Defence and reviewed annually.
11. Clearances. On appointment and to meet the requirements of the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Code of Practice, all PSS are required to continuously hold a satisfactory DBS (Enhanced Disclosure) Certificate and also be Security Cleared (SC). Employment with the RFCA is dependent on these clearances being found satisfactory during the recruitment process and also being continuously maintained throughout the employment period.
12. Medical. Applicants are to be physically fit due to the demands of the job and may be required to pass a medical examination.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
13. All Wx RFCA employees are to be aware of and comply with the terms of Wiltshire ACF’s Health and Safety Policy and work related Risk Assessments; all of which are posted on notice boards throughout Wiltshire’s ACF sites.
REVIEW
14. The RFCA may review this Job Description from time to time in light of significant changes to the establishment, post responsibilities and/or on changes or gaps in County PSS employee posts. A review will also be conducted where any Wx RFCA PSS employee loses their driving licence during their period of employment, as the requirement to drive is key to all CEO/CQM/CAA and CSA appointments held by Wx RFCA PSS.
Experience: Desirable
Regular or Reserve military service at Warrant Officer or Senior Non-Commissioned Officer or equivalent
Recently held appointment of RQMS, CQMS or equivalent
Knowledge of military transport procedures
Essential: Health and safety experience
Skills: Essential
Have excellent verbal communication skills
Have good written communication skills
Well organised
Able to prioritise work to maximise use of time
Work independently and with minimal supervision where necessary
Work as part of a team
Deal confidently with a diverse range of people of various ranks/positions and ages
Computer literate
Qualifications:
Essential:
Hold a full and clean driving licence with Cat B, B+E, D and D1 qualifications.
Desirable:
Fire Officer or Non-Commissioned Officer trained and qualified.
Knowledge:
Essential:
Familiar with Microsoft Office applications (Word and Excel).
Desirable:
Understand military security procedures
Understand military transport and military accounting procedures.
Attitude:
Essential:
A self-motivated, positive and highly organised individual, with a flexible approach to work
Have the ability to deal with a wide variety of circumstances and range of stakeholders/customers
Honest and reliable
The post holder will be subject to a Security Clearance check and DBS Enhanced check; two suitable references will also be required. For meaningful checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time to enable appropriate checks to be carried out and produce a result which provides the required level of assurance. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the 5 years for SC clearance. A lack of UK residency in itself is not necessarily a bar to a security clearance and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
For an application form and job description visit:
www.wessex-rfca.org.uk
Click on the link in the top right hand corner "Vacancies" and select the role you are applying for.
As part of the application process, we ask you to submit:
- A CV detailing job history/qualifications/skills
- A statement of suitability (personal statement) (maximum 1000 words) - How you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job description.
Your CV should consist of your career history, qualification including any key achievements in each role.
The sift will be held on your CV and Personal Statement (Statement of Suitability) (How you meet the essential criteria as detailed in the job description).
If you are successful at sift stage, you will be invited to an interview which will be behaviour-based questions and technical skills based questions
Applications should comprise of:
- Application Form (Separate Document)
- CV detailing job history/qualifications/ skills (Separate Document)
- A statement of suitability (personal statement) (maximum 1000 words)- demonstrating how you meet the essential requirements of this job and why you consider yourself suitable for the position, indicating your interest and motivation to assume this role. (Separate Document)
Applications required by Friday 28th August 2026.
Applications will only be Valid Applications if all 3 documents are provided.
Pay: £32,455.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
