National Firearms Instructor

Job summary

The National Firearms Instructor is a key role within the National Crime Agency's Special Operations Unit, which delivers specialist surveillance, firearms, dogs and specialist evidence recovery to support investigative capabilities, delivering on the Agency’s operational and strategic priorities. The post holder is responsible for supporting and enhancing the NCA's armed capability through the design, development and delivery of firearms training that meets national and organisational standards. Working in accordance with the standards set by the NCA Chief Firearms Instructor, the College of Policing and the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC), the National Firearms Instructor ensures that all training is delivered in line with the Authorised Professional Practice for Armed Policing and contributes directly to the achievement of the Agency's strategic objectives.

Job description

The role involves delivering high quality firearms training to both operationally competent and trainee Officers from across a range of specialist disciplines, including Armed Surveillance, Basic MASTS (Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance), Armed Rural and Armed Motorcyclist. Acting as both Course Director and in support roles across firearms training programmes, the National Firearms Instructor plans, designs and delivers training in accordance with the Annual Firearms Training Plan, NPFTC requirements and relevant Armed Firearms Officer role profiles. The post holder applies appropriate assessment strategies to evaluate learning outcomes, operational competence and officer development, ensuring consistent adherence to national standards and Agency expectations.

The National Firearms Instructor is responsible for the effective administration and governance of firearms training activity, including the completion and submission of pre-training documentation in line with the Agency's firearms training assurance and health check processes. Following training delivery, the post holder manages and submits all required evaluation and assessment documentation to the Chief Firearms Instructor, ensuring complete and accurate records are maintained for Officers undertaking firearms related training. The role also supports the continuous professional development of both Officers, and yourself, identifying opportunities to enhance operational capability, knowledge and performance.

A significant aspect of the role involves coaching, mentoring and developing individuals and teams, creating an environment that promotes learning, professionalism and operational excellence. The post holder provides constructive feedback, manages training performance issues where appropriate and addresses performance and conduct matters in accordance with Agency policies, values and professional standards. Through effective facilitation and engagement, the National Firearms Instructor helps Officers develop the competence, confidence and decision-making skills required to perform safely and effectively in armed operational environments.

The role contributes to the ongoing development and evaluation of firearms tactics, equipment and training methodologies to ensure they remain effective and aligned with operational requirements and emerging threats. Working collaboratively with colleagues and stakeholders, the post holder supports the development of tactics and capabilities that meet the needs of armed Officers operating within the framework of the Agency's Armed Policing Strategic Threat and Risk Assessment.

In addition to instructional responsibilities, the National Firearms Instructor maintains operational competence and may deploy as a Firearms Officer, Operational Firearms Commander or Tactical Advisor, in accordance with their qualifications and training, in support of NCA firearms operations. This operational credibility enables the post holder to bring current experience and practical expertise into the training environment, ensuring that learning remains relevant, realistic and aligned to operational demands.

The National Firearms Instructor is expected to uphold the highest standards of safety, professionalism and integrity in all aspects of their work. They ensure that firearms training is conducted in full compliance with Agency health and safety policies and procedures, actively promoting a positive safety culture and ensuring risks are appropriately identified, managed and mitigated. Through the delivery of high quality training, effective coaching and operational expertise, the post holder plays a critical role in developing and sustaining the NCA's armed capability.

The post holder will be expected to travel nationally to deliver training to teams across England and Wales. Candidates must be willing and able to travel extensively as required, including overnight stays.

Duties and Responsibilities

Delivery of Firearms Training - Deliver firearms training and assessment to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs) in line with national and Agency standards.

Lead Trainer for Specialist Capability Areas - Lead the development, quality assurance and delivery of designated firearms training disciplines.

Stakeholder Engagement and Relationship Management - Build and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support training objectives.

Design and Development of Firearms Training Programmes - Design, develop and review firearms training packages in accordance with NPFTC, APP AP and Agency requirements.

Subject Matter Expertise and Single Point of Contact Responsibilities - Act as the subject matter expert and point of contact for designated areas of firearms training.

Training Records and Assurance Management - Maintain accurate and auditable training records, ensuring documentation is completed and recorded within Chronicle.

Person specification

Training Delivery and Development - Plans, designs, delivers and evaluates firearms training to national and Agency standards, ensuring Officers develop and maintain operational competence.

Leadership - Leads by example, promotes professional standards and Agency values, and inspires confidence, performance and continuous improvement in others.

Operational Delivery - Supports the effective delivery of firearms training and operational capability, ensuring activities align with organisational priorities and operational requirements.

Problem Solving and Decision Making - Analyses complex situations, exercises sound judgement and makes informed decisions to achieve safe, effective and proportionate outcomes.

Communication - Communicates clearly and effectively through written and verbal methods, adapting style to engage, influence and instruct a range of audiences.

Relationship Management - Builds and maintains positive relationships with internal and external stakeholders to support operational objectives and enhance organisational capability.

Teamwork and Collaboration - Works collaboratively with colleagues and partners, sharing knowledge and expertise to achieve collective goals and deliver high quality outcomes.

Time Management and Organisation - Effectively prioritises workload, manages competing demands and delivers tasks to agreed deadlines and standards, escalating issues where appropriate.

Licences

Full UK or International Driving Licence - Candidates must hold a valid driving licence permitting them to drive a car in the UK. This may include a full UK driving licence or an appropriate international driving licence recognised for use in the UK, as the role requires regular travel to operational deployments and visits across the country.

Qualifications

Police National Firearms Instructor Accreditation - Must hold current accreditation as a Police National Firearms Instructor (PNFI).

Surveillance Qualification - Must be a qualified and accredited Surveillance Operative to College of Policing Q1/Q100 standards or be Surveillance Firearms Integrated Course (SFIC) qualified to College of Policing Q8/Q800 standards.

Operational Competence - Must hold a current and operationally deployable Authorised Firearms Officer accreditation in College of Policing Basic or Standard Mobile Armed Support to Surveillance (MASTS) or be able to demonstrate significant training experience of MASTS.

Medical Qualification - Must hold and maintain a current D13 Enhanced Authorised Firearms Officer medical qualification.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Recent experience of designing and delivering training to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), including tactical training involving subjects on foot, in vehicles and within structures, in accordance with NPFTC standards and operational requirements.
• A clear theoretical and practical working knowledge of the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC).
• Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring its success.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,526, National Crime Agency contributes

£16,085 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

New entrants to the NCA receive 26 days annual leave, rising to 31 on completion of 5 years continuous service, plus 8 bank holidays.

If qualifying criteria is met new joiners from UK Police Forces or the UK Intelligence Community (UKIC) will have service with those employers taken into account for continuous service purposes for annual leave entitlement only, this will be up to a maximum of 31 days leave (including 1 privilege day).

Other benefits include:

• Flexible working, including flexi-time, compressed hours and job sharing (in line with business requirements)
• Family friendly policies, notably above the statutory minimum
• Learning and Development opportunities
• Interest free loans and advances, including season tickets, childcare and rental deposits
• Housing schemes - Key Worker status
• Discounts and Savings with a wide variety of services including Cycle to Work, Smart Tech schemes, dental insurance, gym discounts and savings on everyday spending, available through the Reward Gateway , Edenred and Blue Light Card schemes.
• Staff support groups/networks
• Sports and social activities, including membership to the Civil Service Sports Council (CSSC)

Further information is available on the NCA Website.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Your application will be assessed against the following:

Technical - this will be assessed by 250 word examples on:

• Recent experience of designing and delivering training to Authorised Firearms Officers (AFOs), including tactical training involving subjects on foot, in vehicles and within structures, in accordance with NPFTC standards and operational requirements.
• A clear theoretical and practical working knowledge of the National Police Firearms Training Curriculum (NPFTC).
• Experience in Improving culture within a team and measuring its success.

Experience - This will be assessed:

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