UK Ministry of Defence
MGS - Ministry of Defence Guard Service - Kennel Assistant Middle Wallop and Aldershot
How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
MGS Dog Section, Puckridge Barracks (PKO 605), Fleet Road, Aldershot, Hants, GU11 2HL.
SPTA Middle Wallop Dog Section, Stockbridge, Hampshire, SO20 8DY. (Andover)
Job Summary
Do you want a career where you can make a real difference? Join the Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) to protect Defence from threats such as crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage by providing the highest quality of security services through professionalism, excellence, and trust.
Are you reliable, alert, and passionate about animal care? We’re looking for motivated individuals to join our Gold Standard security service as Kennel Assistants—a vital role supporting the daily welfare and care of our Military Working Dogs (MWDs) across the Defence estate.
You’ll be directly responsible to the MGS Operations Manager, working to clear objectives that support the health and well being of our working dogs, as well as the smooth running of the wider team.
This is a hands-on, physical role that involves cleaning, feeding, and exercising dogs in all weather conditions. You must also maintain a good level of physical fitness, as the role involves prolonged periods of standing, walking large distances, and responding quickly to incidents.
To be considered, you must have a background in customer service or security. These environments provide valuable transferable skills—such as staying calm under pressure, following procedures, and communicating effectively—which are essential to success in this position. If you can demonstrate this from past or current experiences, we want to hear from you and see this detailed in your CV.
No animal-handling experience is required, and full training will be provided through a paid, Kennel Assistants course at the Defence Animal Training Regiment in Melton Mowbray.
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.
MoD Guard Services is currently undertaking a review of grade structures, pay and conditions, aimed at improving employee experience, wellbeing, and career progression. This review may result in future changes to terms and conditions; however, the requirement for this role remains unchanged.
Job Description
The Ministry of Defence Guard Service (MGS) provides high quality security services at over 170 MOD sites across the United Kingdom. The MGS has guarded the Defence Estate for over 30 years including high profile locations such as MOD Main Building in London, Whitehall and His Majesty’s Naval Bases at Portsmouth, Devonport, and the Clyde. We provide access control, military working dogs, control room operations and other security services. We play a vital role supporting the Defence Mission and work to protect the Defence estate and personnel from crime, terrorism, espionage, and sabotage threats.
The MGS has over 2,700 employees. MGS Security Officers are often the first point of contact for employees, visitors and contractors on sites and we pride ourselves on our professional, customer-focused culture. Behind our operational workforce is a range of head office roles which support our security professionals to develop and execute the organisations strategy, managing its budget and resources, leading, and developing our staff, maintaining relationships with stakeholders, monitoring and evaluating our performance and identifying new opportunities.
All Are Working Towards Our Vision To Be Recognised As An Outstanding Provider Of Security Services And Our Five Values Underpinning This Vision Include:
Reasons to use Rodeo
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
It searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
- Integrity – Always do the right thing. Respect yourself and others. Treat people fairly.
- Vigilance and Preparedness – Keep careful watch for risks and incidents. Be ready to act.
- Professionalism – Know the job thoroughly. Seek continuous improvement. Maintain high standards.
- Helpfulness - Always be ready to assist people. Leave a lasting positive impression.
- Teamwork – Working with colleagues who are collaborative, respectful, open and trustworthy, who are passionate about excellence and protecting Defence.
There are plenty of opportunities for development, access to funded professional qualifications and specialist training. We are a growing organisation with opportunities to progress your security careers and if you align with our Values, we’d love to hear from you!
For more information about MGS, please take a look at Youtube using the links below:
- Being a dog handler in the Ministry of Defence Guard Service
- Working for the Ministry of Defence Guard Service
If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com
Person specification
Kennel assistants are responsible for supporting the ongoing welfare, care and management of military working dogs, ensuring high standards of animal well being are being consistently maintained.
The Key Duties Are As Follows:
- Maintain the highest standards of animal welfare and hygiene in line with the 5 freedoms, including awareness of bio-security and spotting signs of poor health or stress.
- Carry out thorough cleaning of kennels, surrounding kennel areas, and associated equipment, ensuring a consistently high standard of hygiene is maintained.
- Feed and exercise Military Working Dogs at set times, understanding the unique behaviours and needs of each dog. You’ll prepare meals, follow routines, and support dogs of all sizes and temperaments across different terrains.
- Spot and report any health issues or changes in a dog’s behaviour to your Chain of Command and Veterinary Training Squadron without delay.
- Confidently handle, restrain, and assist dogs during veterinary inspections and when giving medication or treatment.
- Play an active role in maintaining a culture of safe working practices, raising concerns or suggestions as soon as they arise.
- Use your time and resources wisely—always looking for ways to improve how we work and deliver value across the Defence estate.
- Attend and successfully complete any relevant military working dog or veterinary related courses as required, with full support to enhance your professional development and contribute to the continual up skilling of our team.
"Please note, due to the nature of this role, individuals who have had a splenectomy are not eligible to apply. This is due to the increased risk of infection associated with the absence of a spleen."
To be considered, you must have a background in customer service or security. These environments provide valuable transferable skills—such as staying calm under pressure, following procedures, and communicating effectively—which are essential to success in this position. If you can demonstrate this from past or current experiences, we want to hear from you and see this detailed in your CV.
Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
Licences
Full UK Manual Driving Licence - a Driving Licence is Essential to transport the MWD to vet appointments and Public Travel is not suitable.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
Alongside your salary of £24,549, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,111 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).
We enable our people to work at the right place, with the right people, at the right time. We believe that if we look after our people, they will be passionate about delivering great things for our customers.
Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/
The MOD Discover My Benefits Page Lists The Full Set Of Benefits. Some Of The Many Benefits You Will Receive Include:
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%.
- A generous annual leave allowance.
- Ability to roll over up to 10 days annual leave per year.
- Minimum of 15 Days Special Leave in a rolling 12-month period to for volunteer military or emergency service reserve commitments.
- Special Paid Leave for volunteering up to 6 days a year.
- Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
- Employee Assistance Programme to support your well being.
- Most sites have good travel links with free car parking; many also have other facilities such as a Sports & Social Club, Gym and Cafeterias and Shops.
- Entitlement to apply for Blue Light and Defence Discount Cards.
- You will also receive a free MGS Security Uniform.
Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.
The post does not offer relocation expenses.
External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.
Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed.
Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.
Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills