The majority of DCMS employees are appointed on a permanent basis but we also have staff either on loan or secondment from other Government Departments or from one of our Non-Departmental Public Bodies (NDPBs). 

We also have a number of fixed-term appointees and take successful candidates from centrally run civil service recruitment schemes such as the Fast Stream Development Programme.

However, when we are unable to fill a vacancy through these channels, we will run an external recruitment competition to fill a post at any grade up to and including director level. 

Please see the Recruitment Grade Guide PDF (42kb) for further details of our grading structure. 

When these vacancies are available, they will be advertised here, as well as in the press and relevant professional journals. 

If you're interested in pursuing a career within the civil service you may also find the civil service careers website  of use, which gives an overview of job opportunities within the civil service.

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The recruitment process
Our Human Resources team are responsible for ensuring that the whole process meets the requirements of the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Code (i.e. selection on merit in a fair and open competition). 

Each post is different but if your application is shortlisted you can generally expect to be invited for a panel interview or to an assessment centre to see how you match the competencies needed for the job.

To apply for any DCMS vacancy, you must be a British or Commonwealth citizen or an EU National with no restrictions on working in the UK. 

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Guaranteed Interview Scheme for Applicants with a Disability
We operate a guaranteed interview scheme for people with a disability (as defined by the Disability Discrimination Act 1995), who meet the minimum essential criteria for a post. 

The minimum criteria are set out in the person specification which accompanies an advertised post; the person specification also includes details of how to take the opportunity of a guaranteed interview.

Graduate opportunities
We do not have a graduate recruitment scheme.  The graduates we take are through the Fast Stream Development Programme.  For further information about the scheme and the application process, please visit the Cabinet Office website

Work placement schemes
DCMS does not run a work placement scheme.  However, we do participate in Cabinet Office run schemes that set up work placements for high calibre graduates and undergraduates from under-represented groups.

The Fast Stream Ethnic Minority Summer Development Programme (SDP), and the Summer Placement Scheme for Graduates with Disabilities (SPS), aim to address the under-representation of ethnic minorities and people with disabilities in the Civil Service, by offering them opportunities to experience working in Departments.

For further information on these schemes, please visit the Fast Stream website