Product Specialist - Theory Test Content

The UK driving theory test is the world’s largest high stakes computer based test.
The Product Specialist (Theory Test Content) is a vital role in the Theory Test team ensuring that all elements of the service we provide meet the requirements of customers, stakeholders and DVSA standards.
In this position you will work alongside other product specialists to develop, review, and maintain quality in the multiple-choice questions and CGI materials, such as the Hazard Perception Test and Visual Media Clips.
As a Theory Test Product Specialist, you will:
+ Gain or already have strong knowledge of DVSA Theory Test products.
+ Have specialist technical skills to serve as an expert in DVSA Theory Test products.
+ Work effectively with other product specialists, contract managers, and both internal and external stakeholders.
You will be responsible for ensuring supporting materials, like voiceover clips and BSL videos, are prepared and ready for testing. You must also have the ability to analyse theory test performance and interpret statistics and use DVSA Management Information (MI) tools, to gather data for this analysis.
Additionally, you will review applications from candidates who need support from an ‘Oral Language Modifier’ (OLM) and make recommendations to the Product Manager. You will oversee OLM theory tests, assess OLM services, and suggest improvements to make tests more accessible. For non-car tests and tests needing British Sign Language (BSL) interpretation, you will act as the OLM. This role requires travel, full training will be provided and the post holder will be required to undertake an online qualification in OLM.
In order to develop content for the Theory Test it is essential you excel at written communication and can effectively draft using plain and clear language.
The role provides a challenging and rewarding opportunity to be involved in work that provides accessibility that will make a real difference to people’s lives., + Work with the Product Manager to create and improve Theory Test products, from the idea stage through to implementation and, if needed, closure. This includes updates for new technology, electric and autonomous vehicles, changes in law, and evolving customer needs. Your work will keep the Theory Test service current and effective.
+ As the subject matter expert, confirm that process changes meet needs so the Product Manager can approve them. You and the Product Manager will also handle any issues after these changes go live.
+ Take charge of reviewing and improving BSL (British Sign Language) resources to ensure they are accurate and accessible. Work with other specialists to develop new BSL materials and include user feedback to improve BSL content.
+ Set and maintain quality standards for BSL content. Regularly review BSL materials to ensure they meet DVSA’s standards and suggest improvements.
+ Provide expert product advice and support to both internal and external stakeholders, including customers and end users, for any part of the product lifecycle. This may involve giving group presentations, answering questions by phone, and handling written requests and complaints.
+ Provide expertise by drafting responses to high-priority questions, ministerial briefings, parliamentary questions and Freedom of Information requests.
+ Engage with stakeholders (inside and outside DVSA) to understand the needs of BSL users and promote improvements in BSL accessibility. Work with BSL communities and relevant organizations to gather insights for developing BSL content that meets user needs and industry standards.
+ Represent the Theory Test Content Team and the Agency at internal and external events (e.g. conferences, seminars, and exhibitions) as a subject matter expert. Help shape policy, engage stakeholders, identify areas for improvement, and raise the Agency’s profile.
+ Work with managers in different areas across DVSA to build a high-performing, well-regarded agency.
+ Act as a British Sign Language (BSL) expert within the team, offering guidance and support to colleagues on BSL best practices and accessibility. Promote BSL inclusivity throughout the Theory Test service, encouraging the team to provide an equal and fair service for all.
Internal and external relationships with
+ Theory Test Contract team (Test Centre Network and Test Engine Contract Management teams).
+ Correspondence and Communications teams.
+ Various DVSA teams to ensure BSL accessibility aligns with other service requirements.
+ BSL accessibility advocates and stakeholders to ensure our content meets top accessibility standards.
For more information about the role and responsibilities please see the attached Candidate Pack., This role can be based in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Newcastle, Nottingham or Swansea, your presence at one of these locations will form part of the working arrangements agreed with you. We operate a hybrid working model giving you greater flexibility about where and when you work. Our expectation is that you will spend a minimum 60% of your time at your base location. Visits to other DVSA sites or work locations count towards this.
The ability to travel is essential. There may be an occasional requirement to work late evenings to support service improvement activities – you will be paid overtime/granted TOIL to cover this work as agreed.
Please take note that DVSA does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
About Us
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) helps keep Britain moving, safely and sustainably.
We do this by helping people through a lifetime of safe and sustainable journeys, helping them keep their vehicles safe to drive, and protecting them from unsafe drivers and vehicles.
We’re working hard to:
+ make roads safer.
+ improve services for our customers.
+ make road transport greener and healthier.
+ harness the potential of technology and data.
+ grow and level up the economy.
To find out more about how we champion diversity and inclusion in the workplace and making DVSA a great place to work visit our Careers website.

Licences
You must hold a full Valid UK Driving Licence

Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Making Effective Decisions
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Working Together, + Intermediate MS Excel skills and knowledge, for example use of formulas, pivot tables and charts.
+ Ability to write clearly using the principals of Plain English to improve accessibility for your target audience.
+ Strong technical knowledge of the Theory Test Service products and required capabilities.
+ Experience of working within a service environment.
Your Personal Statement will be limited to a maximum of 750 words.
The sift is due to take place week commencing 06 January 2025.
Interviews/assessments are likely to be held week commencing 20 January 2025.
This interview will be conducted via a video interview, details of which will be provided to you should you be selected for interview.
We’ll try to meet the dates we’ve set out in the advert. But there may be occasions when these dates will change. We’ll give you plenty of notice of any important dates.
The selection process will be designed specifically for the role. As a result, your assessment will include:
+ an interview.
+ an excel exercise.
+ a presentation.
If you would like to find out more about what it’s like to work for DVSA and how to apply, we will be holding virtual sessions to find out more. Please click here to secure your place at one of our upcoming events.
The Department for Transport recruits using Success Profiles. For each role, we consider what you need to demonstrate to be successful.
This gives us the best possible chance of finding the right person for the job, drives up performance and improves diversity and inclusivity.
You can read more about Success Profiles here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes., Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Do you have effective communication skills with a passion for providing a quality service?
Are you someone who can write in a clear simple way, using plain English?
Do you have intermediate MS Excel skills and knowledge?
Would you want to be part of a team that helps to shape the future of Theory Tests?
If so, we would love to hear from you!, We are looking for an enthusiastic, team player who is flexible and will thrive in a fast-paced environment.
You will be a confident communicator with high quality drafting skills and capability to present information clearly and engage with a wide range of stakeholders.
You have intermediate MS Excel skills and knowledge, for example use of formulas, pivot tables and charts.
You will have experience of working within an operational service environment.
You will be expected to interpret and review BSL content accurately to meet the needs of BSL users therefore ideally should be qualified to a minimum of Level 3 Signature BSL standard (or equivalent) be working towards a qualification or be willing to work towards the qualification once in role. You must also hold or be willing to achieve a certificate in Oral Language Modification Accredited Training. https://www.communicate-ed.org.uk/courses/oral-language-modifier-accredited-training

Alongside your salary of £34,233, Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency contributes £9,917 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits.
+ An environment with flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
+ Generous Annual Leave - 25 days holiday, increasing by 1 each year of service, up to 30.
+ 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King’s birthday.
+ Latest IT and Tech devices.
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
+ Excellent learning and development tailored to your role including paid apprenticeships up to Masters level.
+ Wide range of discounts schemes on high street names.
+ Employee assistance program for health and wellbeing.
+ Cycle to work scheme and Gym membership offers.