Firearms Instructor

The Civil Nuclear Constabulary's role in protecting the UKs national security is unique, and it is our highly trained National Firearms Instructors that are responsible for delivering key firearms training to our officers. This crucial role as a Police Constable National Firearms Instructor, or Police Staff National Firearms Instructor, will include supporting all aspects of firearms training delivery; the coaching of both tactical and range training; classroom-based training; designing training content; lesson preparation and firearms assessments. 

You will support, develop, and facilitate the coaching of firearms tactics and weapon handling to a broad range of officers. From those on Initial Firearms Courses, to experienced Firearms Officers completing refresher training and specialist courses. You will work full-time on a 10 hour daytime shift pattern, which may include some weekends.

We have several National Firearms Instructor vacancies available, and we offer full training, but you would need to meet one of the below criteria to be eligible to apply:  

• Current and competent National Firearms Instructors from other Police Forces
• Current or former Police Officers who have been operational AFO/ARV or AFO/CT (ideally within the last 18 months)
• Current or former National Firearms Instructors from other backgrounds (i.e. Military)
• Current or former Military Personnel (ideally within the last 18 months), with experience of delivering training (i.e. skill at arms/CBRN)

All current National Firearms Instructor application links are below.

If you would like more information on Civil Nuclear Constabulary and our exciting future, please feel free to read our Three Year Strategic Plan.

 

What are the benefits of becoming a National Firearms Instructor?

• Accredited with a vocational qualification under the Level 3 Award in Education & Teaching (AET) on completion of the course.
• Continuous educational development opportunities Level 4 Certificate in Education & Teaching, Level 5 Diploma in Education & Training all supported within FTU.    
• Access to a broad spectrum of Advanced Firearms Training; Specialist Teams, Dynamic Live Fire Tactical Training, OFC, TFC, Police Medic.    
• Weekday working hours, which is better for your health & lifestyle, plus a Christmas period shutdown to enjoy with family & friends.   
• A high degree of job enrichment by teaching and developing others and shaping the future of armed policing within the CNC
• Exposure to National Armed Policing with opportunities to gain operational and training experience with other forces.
• The opportunity to work in world class firearms training facilities.
• Flexibility in working patterns meeting the needs of the individual and organisation.
• Being part of a highly motivated and diverse team.

 

What is the difference between a Police Constable National Firearms Instructor, and a Police Staff National Firearms Instructor?

PC NFI's are warranted officers, and are paid according to the National Winsor Pay scale. Police Staff NFI's are paid according to the relevant police staff pay scale.

For PC NFI's, previous police service will be considered when determining pay. They will also have access to additional promotional opportunities and be able to work overtime shifts as a Firearms Officer at local sites, if desirable.

For Police Staff NFI's the starting salary is higher, and you have access to the staff bonus scheme (up to 7% of annual salary).

Our recruitment team will be happy to discuss the differences in more detail once you have applied for your preferred route, and your application can be switched throughout the process if required.

 

What are the criteria to apply?

The application criteria depend upon your background, and the route that you are applying for. Each of the below application links will take you to further details around that role, including it's specific eligibility criteria.

If you are not a current or former National Firearms Instructor, then as a minimum to apply for any of these roles you will need to either have firearms experience in a police setting (i.e. AFO/ARV), or have military experience as an instructor in related area (i.e. skill at arms/CBRN).

If you have any questions about your eligibility to apply, please contact the Firearms Training Unit Recruitment Officer, Mark Gadsdon, at mark.gadsdon@cnc.police.uk.

 

What does the recruitment process entail?

The initial stages of the recruitment process will be a screening and shortlisting of your previous skills and experience, based on your CV and the details on your application. We may contact you to request additional information during this stage.

If successful at shortlisting, we will invite you to a face-to-face interview, usually with the Firearms Training Manager (FTM).

If successful at interview, you will commence the Medical stage, receive a conditional offer, and then complete the Vetting stage. The recruitment team will be in touch with you directly at each stage to provide you with information, and discuss any relevant options with you.

 

What does the training involve?

Your training will be dependent on your previous qualifications and experience, which will be reviewed and discussed with you if you successfully pass screening. All training includes hotel accommodation, food, transport and fuel costs, if required, and you will be paid from day one of your training. 

General guidance on the expected training is below, but this may need to be amended based on your personal situation.

Current and competent National Firearms Instructors from other Police Forces and previous National Firearms Instructors are required to:

• Attend 1-week corporate induction.
• Complete required training in CNC AFO/CT role profile.
• Successfully complete and submit COP mandated NFI assessment booklet.

Current or previously serving Military Personnel are required to:

• Attend 1-week corporate induction.
• Complete an 18-week Initial Foundation Programme where you will learn law and police tactics, and all firearms related content such as qualifying on police issue firearms.
• Complete an 8-week National Firearms Instructor Course (NFIC) where you will be taught and assessed in three main areas. Instructing in a classroom, conducting scenario-based exercises in the role of Exercise Conducting officer and conducting the role of Range Conducting Officer on static ranges, to become qualified as an NFI. 

Additional qualifications will be gained as part of this course, namely: level 3 award in education and training, and a certificate in assessing vocational achievement.

Current or previously serving AFO/ARV Officers are required to:

• Attend 1-week corporate induction.
• Complete required training in CNC AFO/CT role profile.
• Complete an 8-week National Firearms Instructor Course (NFIC) where you will be taught and assessed in three main areas. Instructing in a classroom, conducting scenario-based exercises in the role of Exercise Conducting officer and conducting the role of Range Conducting Officer on static ranges, to become qualified as an NFI. 

Additional qualifications will be gained as part of this course, namely: level 3 award in education and training, and a certificate in assessing vocational achievement.

 

What opportunities are there?

The below vacancies are currently available:

Police Constable Firearms Instructor - Griffin Park (Cumbria)

Police Constable Firearms Instructor - Dounreay (Caithness)

Police Staff Firearms Instructor - Griffin Park (Cumbria)

 

If you have any questions about your eligibility to apply, please contact the Firearms Training Unit Recruitment Officer, Mark Gadsdon, at mark.gadsdon@cnc.police.uk.