An exciting opportunity has arisen within Wessex Reserve Forces’ & Cadets’ Association for a Full Time Estate Administrative Officer based at Yoxter Cadet Training Centre, near Priddy, Somerset, responsible for all Field Training Area (FTA) first level assurance of compliance to provide a ‘Safe Place’ for all training activities and the 600m Gallery Range. The role also includes taking bookings for the range and FTA and ensuring policy, standing orders and risks assessments are up to date and compliant. Other responsibilities include conducting routine estate health surveillance for both the camp and training area, acting as the site assurance advisor, and maintaining a stores account for equipment issued for use.
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.
The salary for the appointment is £27,866 (not negotiable). This is subject to any annual MoD pay rise. The successful applicant will be eligible to join the CRFCA Pension scheme. This is a Career Average Revalued Earnings scheme (CARE) in which the employer contribution is 13% and the employee contribution 5%. The successful candidate will be entitled to 25 days’ annual leave, plus bank holidays. Annual leave entitlement increases by 1 day per year up to 30 days; those with 5 years’ prior service with HM Forces/OGD will start with 30 days’ entitlement.
Applicants should ideally have a working knowledge of land management within an MOD context. The successful applicant will be responsible for the maintenance and management of the Yoxter training area and range area.
RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES
1. Responsibilities and duties of the Yoxter Estates Officer:
a. Act as Site Assurance Advisor for those elements of RFCA managed 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.
e. Manage Range & FTA bookings and allocate facilities.
f. Ensure that the 600m Range is fully compliant with LTAR policy and properly licenced.
g. Ensure that all Policy and Standing Orders are kept up to date and available to units planning and undergoing training, seeking advice and guidance from the RSO as necessary.
h. Ensure that user Risk Assessments, Range Safety Documents, Exercise Action & Safety Plans, Suitably Qualified & Experienced Person & SAAF Forms are in place prior to training.
i.Advise the Alternative Venues team of any requests for external bookings.
j. Maintain a stock of compliant range Targetry & consumables.
k. Request units to suspend training in the event of a perceived blatant breach of safety regulations and consult with Range Administering Unit.
l. Carry out the duties of the Unit Safety Manager in accordance with current instructions and report to the nominated 4Cs Accountable Person in all matters.
m. Co-ordinate access for contractors where required.
n. Conduct monthly inspections on the FTA and 600m Range in compliance with FTA & Range License.
o. Conduct monthly internal and external inspection of building fabric, fixtures, fittings and furnishings, report defects, correct faults in compliance with SHEF regulations and submit works services where necessary.
p Maintain a good working relationship and liaison with Cadet Units.
q. Maintain the grounds and facilities in a serviceable condition to include keeping roads and trackways free of rubbish and undergrowth. When needed, ensure that the roads are gritted to reduce the hazard of snow and ice using appropriate issued vehicle and spreader.
r. Comply with the lone working policy and risk assessment.
s. Only use equipment issued by RFCA for which there has been adequate training in its safe use, wearing appropriate PPE when required. Report any shortfalls in equipment or training.
t. Maintain a stores account for equipment issued for use, and an operating and servicing log for mechanical equipment.
u. Engage & Liaise with Military helicopter support units for permissions to land/touch down.
v. Ensure that all grounds maintenance contractor’s sign onto the site and follow all 4Cs policy.
w. Ensure all faults and works services required are reported to VIVO and a spreadsheet of works services kept.
x. Supervise site contractors in accordance with 4Cs policy.
y. Ensure that they complete the annual training on the Defence Learning Environment/ Civil Service Portal, which includes all individual Health & Safety Requirements which will enable him / her / them to carry out all aspects of the job description in a safe manner.
ESSENTIAL SKILLS:
· Full UK Drivers Licence (B+E).
DESIRED SKILLS:
- Experience of using Microsoft Teams or Zoom, beneficial but training will be provided.
- Experience of using Defence IT systems/application would be beneficial but training will be provided.
- An understanding of military cultures, procedures and policies.
- Knowledge of Defence Training Estates.
PERSONAL QUALITIES AND BEHAVIOURS:
- Excellent attention to detail.
- Flexible and responsive to tasking/ direction, a high level of commitment to succeed.
- Team spirit – an engaging person, able and keen to work unsupervised.
- Approachable and friendly – ‘customer oriented’ professional.
PERSON SPECIFICATIONS
2. Person Specification requirements for the Wessex Yoxter Estates Officer post are outlined on page 5 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.
3. Time Off In Lieu (TOIL) and Weekly Hours. The 37 Hour working week (Mon – Fri) is the normal routine, but where there is requirement to work beyond the core hours, TOIL can be approved in accordance with the RFCA People Operating Manual (POM). This would be reviewed and agreed in advance with the Line Manager.
4. 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.
5. Clearances. On appointment all staff are required to continuously hold a Security Cleared (SC) certificate. Employment with the RFCA is dependent on this clearance being found satisfactory during the recruitment process and also being continuously maintained throughout the employment period.
6. Medical & Fitness. Applicants are to be medically and physically fit due to the demands of the job which will included a large proportion of outdoor activity (in all weathers within reason), with some physical elements such as walking around the Training Area and lifting & carrying stores items and equipment.
7. Individual Training. There will be a requirement to complete an Induction package and annual routine training thereafter in accordance with the RFCA People Operating Manual (POM). There may be a requirement to attend infrequent external training with the potential for overnight stay.
HEALTH AND SAFETY
8. All Wessex RFCA employees are to be aware of and comply with the terms of Wessex RFCA Health and Safety Policy and work related Risk Assessments.
REVIEW
9. 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 Wessex RFCA employee posts. A review will also be conducted where any Wessex RFCA employee loses their driving licence during their period of employment, as the requirement to drive is key to all Wessex RFCA Staff.
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
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 Wednesday 8th July 2026.
Interviews will be undertaken on Tuesday 21st July 2026
Applications will only be Valid Applications if all 3 documents are provided.
Pay: £27,866.00 per year
Benefits:
- Casual dress
- Company pension
- Free parking
- On-site parking
- Sick pay
Work Location: In person
