Aircraft Maintenance Technician (AMT)

CONDITIONS GOVERNING THE AWARDING OF A PLACE ON THE AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN COURSE

1. GENERAL QUALIFICATIONS

To qualify, a candidate shall at the time of application be: (i) a citizen of the State, or be any other person who has a lawful entitlement to reside and work within the State for the period of time that is required for the purpose of any such appointment and (ii) be of good character and satisfy any security clearance required and (iii) meet the required minimum standards of medical and physical fitness.

2. AGE REQUIREMENT

Candidates must be 18 years of age or above and under 39 years of age on the closing date of the competition. Please note that the upper age limit may be the subject of review in advance of future Competitions.

3. MINIMUM EDUCATIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must have attained the required minimum educational qualifications at the time of Enlistment. The standard minimum entry requirements are:

• a minimum of Grade O6 in five subjects, at ordinary level,

• to include Mathematics, English or Irish or National Equivalent qualification and one of the following subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Engineering, Construction Studies or other STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).

PLEASE NOTE:

• Foundation Level and Leaving Certificate Applied subjects do not qualify for the Aircraft Technicians competition.

• The specific minimum grades in the Leaving Certificate/National Equivalent may be the subject of review in advance of future competitions.

MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL STANDARDS

Candidates must be in good mental and bodily health and free from any physical defect, abnormality, physiological condition or history of serious illness likely to interfere with the efficient performance of his/her Military duties.

a. Height: The minimum height requirement is 157.48 cm. Physical standards and weight must be in keeping with height and age.

b. Vision: Vision must be not less than 6/36 in each eye, corrected to not less than 6/6 in one eye and 6/9 in the other. Normal night and colour vision are required. Both eyes must be free from disfiguring or incapacitating abnormality and free from acute or chronic disease. There must be no evidence of squint or latent squint. The eligibility, or not, of applicants who have had previous incisional or laser treatment to correct visual acuity will be determined at the Medical Examination. Please see Annex B for further information.

c. Dental: Candidates must be free from any serious periodontal disease and possess teeth to a specific standard, which is not less than the equivalent of eleven over eleven natural teeth functionally opposed. In certain circumstances, artificial teeth may be acceptable.

d. Hearing: A good standard of unaided hearing is essential. Candidates will be required to undergo audiometric examination at which: (1) The sum of the hearing threshold at 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 kHz should not exceed the age and gender related warning levels contained in the "Guidelines on Hearing Checks and Audiometry Regulations 2007", issued by the Health and Safety Authority. (2) Candidates must be able to hear all measured pure tones up to and including 8 kHz at 20 dB in each ear. Candidates must also be free from acute or chronic ear disorders. Candidates are advised to avoid all sources of loud noise and music for a period of 48 hours prior to this examination as exposure to such noise may adversely affect the results of the examination.

5. APPLICATION FORM

Candidates must apply online at Candidates wishing to undertake the assessments through Irish must make this request known to the Defence Forces Recruitment Section at: recruitment@defenceforces.ie All correspondence with candidates will be done by email for the duration of the competition. Candidates should ensure the email address given is accurate and correct. Each application is acknowledged automatically within 24 hours. If an acknowledgement is not received within 48 hours of applying, candidates should immediately contact the Defence Forces Recruitment Section at: 045 492553 or at recruitment@defenceforces.ie Likewise, if an applicant’s email address should change, the onus is on the applicant to make contact with the Defence Forces Recruitment Section immediately advising them of the change of email address. Serving members of the PDF will be required to include their Service Number on the application form. All Candidates who are invited to attend for the Assessment Phase of the competition, as outlined under Selection Procedure below, will be required to bring valid identification, i.e. Passport or Driving Licence as proof of identity. In addition, candidates will be required to bring original documentary evidence that they meet the Leaving Certificate (or National Equivalent) minimum educational qualifications, as outlined at the start of Part 1 above.

Before submitting an application for the Aircraft Maintenance Technician competition, applicants should ensure that they satisfy the eligibility criteria and have read and accept the conditions governing this Competition.

6. SELECTION PROCEDURE

Candidates, if selected, will be required to attend for the various stages of the selection procedure on the dates and times as notified by email. Candidates who fail to attend for any stage of the selection procedure will be disqualified from participation in any further stages of that competition.

Stage 1 – Online Psychometric Testing

Candidates will be required to complete an online unsupervised psychometric test at Stage 1. Candidates will be required to complete all psychometric tests within the timeframe specified by the Defence Force. Candidates should pay particular attention to ensuring that the contact details specified on their application are correct.

Candidates who have attained the requisite score in the unsupervised online psychometric test at Stage 1, will be required to attend for a subsequent supervised psychometric test at Stage 2.

Note: If a candidate fails to meet the minimum standard at Stage 1, they will not be permitted to proceed to the next stage of the competition.

Stage 2 – Physical Fitness and Suitability Assessments

Candidates who have attained the requisite score at Stage 1 of the competition, will be required to attend for Physical Fitness Testing and Suitability Assessments as part of the competition. The Physical Fitness Test will consist of the following:

Physical Fitness Test: All eligible candidates (to include serving members of the Permanent Defence Force) will initially be called to undergo a Physical Fitness assessment, which is designed to test their potential to endure the rigors of military training (see Annex C). Candidates must attain the minimum standard laid down in order to proceed in the competition. A candidate must complete this test as part of their application and the test is not valid for any other Defence Forces competition. (See Annex ‘D’ for details of the test and suggested training programme).

The Suitability Assessment will consist of the following:

• Supervised Psychometric Tests: If a candidate’s performance at a supervised test is outside the expected scoring range from their unsupervised test at Stage 1, they may be excluded from subsequent stages of the selection process.

• Psychomotor and Cognitive Testing: Candidates will be required to complete both psychomotor and cognitive testing.

Note: If a candidate fails to meet the minimum standard of any part of the Physical Fitness Test, or the Suitability Assessments they will NOT be permitted to proceed to the next stage of the competition.

Stage 3 – The Interview

Successful candidates will be invited to attend a competency-based interview where they will be required to demonstrate competency in a selection of the following areas:

• Teamwork

• Technical Aptitude

• Ability to Work under Pressure

• Military Career Orientation

• Personal Motivation

In the competency-based interview, candidates will be asked to give examples from their own experiences of life, school, university, hobbies, work, pastimes, etc., to demonstrate evidence in a number of the above areas. Candidates who fail any of the competencies at Final Interview will be deemed unsuccessful in the competition.

Stage 2 & 3 may be conducted at locations other than Casement Aerodrome, Air Corps HQ, Baldonnel, Dublin 22.

7. EXPENSES

Candidates, other than a member of the Defence Force, are liable for all expenses incurred in connection with their participation in the Aircraft Maintenance Technician competition and on first reporting for enlistment.

8. MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATIONS

A panel will be formed from Candidates who are successful at interview. Candidates on this panel will be required to undergo and pass a detailed medical examination, which includes an audiometric test.

Candidates who do not pass the medical examination owing to a medical condition that, in the opinion of the Examining Medical Officer, is capable of being remedied by treatment, may be afforded the opportunity of having the condition rectified within one week of their examination at their own cost. Such candidates will be required to submit medical evidence indicating that the condition has been remedied. They may be required to undergo further medical examination, by another Medical Officer.

Medical fitness will not be confirmed until the results of all tests are available to the Medical Officer.

9. EMPLOYEE VETTING BY AN GARDA SÍOCHÁNA

Candidates who are invited to attend before an Interview Board will be required to complete and sign a Garda Vetting Application Form. This will, pursuant to the Data Protection Act, 2018, authorise An Garda Síochána to furnish to the Military Authorities, a statement that there are no convictions recorded against the candidate, or if applicable, a statement of convictions.

10. OFFER OF PLACEMENT

Following interview, medical and physical examinations and security clearance being obtained, successful candidates high enough on the order of merit will be offered a placement on the Aircraft Maintenance Technician course. The decision of the Chief of Staff is final. The enlistment of successful candidates on the Aircraft Maintenance Technician Course will be subject to the following: a. The candidate passing a pre-enlistment medical examination on reporting for enlistment. This examination is in addition to the detailed medical examination at Paragraph 4 above. b. A candidate who is offered a placement must report for enlistment at the required time and place. Failure to report for duty will result in the offer of a place to become an Air Corps Aircraft Maintenance Technician being forfeited. c. Successful candidates will complete an initial period (approx. 25 weeks) of military training. On successfully completing this military training, personnel will advance to Airman/Airwoman rank and will then commence technical training as an Aircraft Maintenance Technician as outlined below in Part 2.

11. CONDITIONS OF ENLISTMENT

a. Successful candidates will be enlisted as recruits for general service, for training as technicians. The period of enlistment is for a total (comprising of both service in the Permanent Defence Force and in the Reserve Defence Force) of not more than twelve years. Extension of service in the Permanent Defence Force beyond this initial period will be subject to meeting such criteria as laid down by the Minister for Defence in Defence Force Regulations. b. Serving Defence Forces personnel who are successful in the competition will be discharged from the Permanent Defence Force for the purpose of re-enlistment in order to avail of training as a Technician.

Prior to commencing the Aircraft Maintenance Technician course (Phase 2), all personnel will be required to sign an undertaking that, in the event of their voluntary discharge from the Permanent Defence Force within the period of the undertaking, they shall refund to the Minister the amount set in respect of the cost of training. This represents a substantial undertaking in financial terms and will involve a formal communication with an officer designated by the Director of J7 who will give an outline of the amount of monies due to the Minister. The AMT undertaking to be signed on admittance to the scheme and the 8-year undertaking will commence when the course and training are complete.

c. Accommodation can be provided. d. The normal retirement age for enlisted Defence Force personnel is 62 years of age. e. Upon successful completion of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician course, graduates are eligible for the award of a QQI Level 7 Bachelor of Engineering Technology in Military Aviation Technology (B.Eng. Tech. Level 7). Aircraft Maintenance Technician students will also sit the EASA Part 66 modules to obtain theoretical knowledge for EASA B1.1 (FW Turbine), or B1.3 (RW Turbine), or B2 (Avionics) licence requirements. f. A student will be removed from the Aircraft Maintenance Technician course if: ▪ they fail to show satisfactory progress at any time during the course of training, or fail to pass the examinations required to progress on the course, or fail to develop the qualities requisite for the satisfactory completion of the course, or if their conduct or service is unsatisfactory or ▪ as a result of examination by a Medical Board, where, at any time, they are found to be in a medical category lower than that prescribed or, ▪ at their own written request.

A student who has been removed from the training course (except as a result of the determination of a Medical Board as outlined above), will be permitted to seek discharge by purchase from the Defence Force, or, subject to the recommendation of their Commanding Officer, may be permitted to remain in service in the Line Class. In this case, a person who has previous service in the Permanent Defence Force, will be bound by the terms of their new enlistment.

PART 2GUIDE TO THE AIR CORPS AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN TRAINING COURSE 20251. THE AIR CORPS AIRCRAFT MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN COURSE

The purpose of the Air Corps Aircraft Maintenance Technician course is to provide military aircraft technicians for the Irish Air Corps. The student undergoes full basic military training and passes out as an Airman/Airwoman prior to commencing their technical training. This is a unique opportunity for an individual who has an interest in military training to also pursue a career in aviation maintenance. The initial military training affords the students an opportunity to develop skills which are applicable to the aircraft maintenance environment such as discipline, self-reliance, teamwork and working to exacting standards. The course offers an interdisciplinary approach in which the students obtain a mix of technological and operational skills specifically related to Irish Military aviation requirements.

The system of training is of the highest standard. Students will sit the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence Modules to obtain theoretical knowledge for EASA B1.1 (Fixed Wing - Gas Turbine Engine) or B1.3 (Rotary Wing - Gas Turbine Engine) or B2 (Avionics) license requirements. The Air Corps Technical Training School is licenced by the Irish Aviation Authority as an EASA Part 147 School.

Aircraft Maintenance Technician students who successfully complete the EASA theoretical knowledge exams (EASA Part 66 Aircraft Maintenance Licence in either Category B1 or B2) will be enrolled on year 3 of the BEngTech in Aviation Technology (Level 7) DT011, which is the civil programme offered by the accrediting Academic Institute – Technological University Dublin.

The course will be delivered in the Technical Training School of the Air Corps College or in any other place as designated by the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps.

2. PARTICULARS OF TRAINING

The course has seven phases and is covered in a four-year period. A student must achieve the required standard in each module. This period of service is regarded as a probationary period. If an Aircraft Maintenance Technician student is reported by their Commanding Officer as being unlikely to become efficient or as being otherwise unsatisfactory or fails to complete the training course successfully, they may be discharged from the Permanent Defence Force.

Military Training

Phase 1 is military training. A candidate, on entering the Permanent Defence Force, will undergo approximately twenty-five (25) weeks of military training prior to the commencement of their Aircraft Maintenance Technician course.

The Military syllabus is designed to develop the character, resilience and discipline of the student. It includes rifle marksmanship, junior leadership, map reading, tactical training, foot drill and other basic military skills. Much attention is also given to the physical development of the trainee technician, through both physical and adventure training.

All training is organised and conducted in a strict, uniform and disciplined manner. Basic military training will be carried out at military bases as directed by the General Officer Commanding the Air Corps. Successful applicants shall be required to live in for the duration of this training.

PAY, ALLOWANCES and PRSI

Enlisted personnel pay PRSI contributions under Class H, which insures them for the range of benefits under the Social Insurance code, including the State Pension (Contributory).

The following are the current weekly pay rates applying to successful applicants applying for the Air Corps Aircraft Maintenance Technician:

€537.70 – €932.03

* On successful completion of Recruit and 2-3* Military training, the Aircraft Maintenance Technician student will move onto the Private/Airman 3 Star pay scale. The technical training element of the Aircraft Maintenance Technician course will take approximately three (3) and a half years on completion of the military training.

PLEASE NOTE: Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to enlistment, the appointee is a serving member of the Permanent Defence Force.

MILITARY SERVICE ALLOWANCE (MSA)

Military Service Allowance is not payable to Recruits. Eligibility for the payment of Military Service Allowance is on successful completion of the Military Training course (completion of Phase 1 of the Course) and will commence upon promotion to the rank of Airman/Airwoman in accordance with Defence Force Regulation A10.

PLEASE NOTE: It should be noted that the rate of remuneration and the payment of the allowance outlined above, are subject to review and adjustment on an ongoing basis in accordance with changes applicable across the Public Service generally as per Government policy.

All details of pay and allowances are available on the Defence Forces website at www.military.ie

Method of Payment

Aircraft Maintenance Technicians will be paid on a weekly basis by means of electronic funds transfer to a designated financial institution.

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