ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Government Operational Research Service Becky Tutt Operational Research Unit Department for Transport

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 What is the Government OR Service? Analysis that matters One of the largest OR groupings in the UK about 240 full time equivalent staff in 15 Civil Government Departments and 6 towns/cities Central Government affects the lives of 60 million Britons OR analysts help government to make the best possible use of public money, staff and other resources provide analytical support for Ministers, managers and policy makers to make better decisions

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 What is the Government OR Service?

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Background BSc(Hons) Business Economics with Computing from the University of Surrey in 2001 Gap Year Applied in October 2002 Joined Department for Transport (DfT) in January 2003

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 GORS New Recruit Projects for –Driver Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) –Driving Standards Agency (DSA) –Housing Market Renewal Team –Neighbourhood Renewal Unit

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Since joining GORS GORS –Induction Course –Departmental StORes –Conference Training –External Courses –Internal training YOR Conference Visiting Clients

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Why work for ? Opportunity to contribute to issues of genuine national importance Promotion on individual competencies and potential Exceptional training and development opportunities Transferring between OR units in different departments Flexible working arrangements Competitive rates of pay Good annual leave allowances Excellent pension benefits

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Pay & Benefits Starting pay (based on 2002 values) - Scientific officer: up to £25,000 - Higher Scientific Officer: up to £29,500 Working hours : - 36 hrs per week London, 37 hrs per week elsewhere -All departments offer opportunity to work flexibly promote a healthy work/life balance Annual leave : - new entrants get between 22 and 30 days per year - all staff get 10 ½ days of public holidays and privilege days

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Recruitment Recruit about 100 new staff each year Several locations including Leeds, London, Manchester, Sheffield, Telford, Darlington and Hastings Recruitment Round - March, July and November each year Requirements –Degree (2:1 or better) or 2:2 plus 2 or more years’ relevant experience or MSc or PhD in a numerate discipline –Good interpersonal and presentational skills

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Recruitment Process Application form Attend Assessment Day Meet recent recruits Problem Structuring Test Interview Visit OR Units

ORS Careers Open Day, 26 November 2003 Further Information See Government OR website or Capita RAS website