Radon Support Scientist
The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health.
UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will:
- Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security
- Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health
- Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks
- Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise
- Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities.
Job overview
Radon gas is the largest single source of ionising radiation exposure to the UK population. It is responsible for the lung cancer deaths of more than 1,100 people in the UK each year, and comes from natural sources in rocks and soils, building materials and water.The Radon Group consists of ~20 people with a mixture of skills: scientific, technical, logistical and business. Our role is to increase awareness of radon, provide measurements and advice on how to tackle radon in homes and workplaces, and undertake the research and development that support our services.
Our public-facing website www.ukradon.org is centred on the radon potential map of the UK, which was created from a combination of radon measurement data from almost 600,000 homes and local geology. The Radon Group is part of the Radiation, Chemicals, Climate and Environmental (RCCE) Hazards Directorate.
The Radon Programmes Team focuses on the analysis of large databases of radon measurements, assessing and advising on the effectiveness of radon reduction techniques, interactions with regulators, answering the more complex technical queries from householders and employers, and leading on new programmes such as measurement surveys.
This position is not a home-working position. The post-holder is expected to work 60% of their time in the office (Chilton) and, if desired, 40% from home.
Main duties of the job
This role will provide an interesting and supported introduction to project management in the Radon Group. The post holder will be responsible for a diverse range of activities to support the delivery of the team's objectives (usually within larger programmes), will help to support the smooth running of the project by assisting the operation of project management processes, and the co-ordination of business management actions and activities on behalf of the project team.The post holder will be expected to support the project manager with activities such as communication across the business, maintenance of central project records and production of regular management reports.
The post holder will receive extensive training in radiation protection with a view to developing their own areas of interest within the Radon Group. This will lead to the running of their own research and development projects, which may be presented at national and international events.
Working for our organisation
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
Specific duties of the role may vary depending on the project in the planning, delivery or analysis phase.- Planning and scheduling – Assist with and maintain appropriate systems to enable effective planning and scheduling. Experience of working across teams, establishing processes and working to deadlines.
- Monitoring and reporting – Assist in maintaining project controls and in producing project reports.
- Administration – Organise key project meetings, and provide secretariat support using Microsoft Office tools
- Resources – Supervision of junior staff if appropriate.
- Stakeholder – Act as the focal point for project responses to external requests for information.
- Financial control – Assist with the monitoring of project spend and income, and contribute to the compilation of budgets.
In addition, the Radon Support Scientist will be responsible for:
- acquiring detailed knowledge of radon sources, measurements and mitigation
- providing information to householders and employers on radon (scientific support for Radon Services Team) – both written and verbal
- contributing to articles for journals and other publications
- undertaking an appropriate role in the RCCE emergency plan
Communication and Key Working Relationships
The post holder will develop effective working relationships and communicate regularly either by phone, MS Teams, etc, email or face to face with a wide range of individuals including officers from other government departments, scientists, support staff, managers and corporate team staff for example, HR and Finance.The post holder may make or receive phone calls, receive emails and decide relevant action, responding directly where appropriate and this may include external people for example, stakeholders or other public health organisations e.g. local government.
Professional Development
UKHSA is a high-performing organisation that empowers people to own their talent and provide an opportunity for everyone. Through various Talent and Learning and Development schemes UKHSA staff can build and expand technical knowledge and skills and gain additional professional qualifications, e.g. mentoring, coaching, leadership. The post holder is expected to:
- Identify, discuss, and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
- Attend internal / external training events, e.g. Radiation Protection Training Scheme (RPTS).
- Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance.
- Participate in conferences at both national and international levels.
Key Working Relationships
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:
Internal- Radon Group Leader
- Radon Programmes Team Leader
- Radon Programmes Team members
- Members of other teams within the Radon Group
- Peers across RCE working on allied issues, e.g. Indoor Air Quality, Radiation Protection Advisers
- Employers and members of the public
- Peers in other government departments and local authorities
The Harwell Campus is a science research hub with free parking and is connected to most nearby towns through a very regular bus service.
Selection Process Details
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competency-based assessments
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 6 essential criteria, which have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1000 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on: Experience of undertaking projects to completion and delivering results
All essential criteria and desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description).
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a single face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge, experience and skills will be tested at interview
There will be a short Technical Test, based on a document provided in advance to the interviewee.
Interview dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Selection Process
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Eligibility Criteria
External- Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time.You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Face to Face interviews
In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria- Degree / NVQ level 6 in science-related subject or equivalent experience
Knowledge and Experience
Essential criteria- Knowledge of radiation and/or environmental protection
- Experience of undertaking projects to completion and delivering results
- Knowledge and experience of MS Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, PowerPoint)
Skills/Capabilities/Behaviours
Essential criteria- Flexible attitude to working as team member or alone, and across teams
- Self-motivated and ability to work on own initiative, prioritising workload
- Ability to analyse situation and suggest improvements
IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules.Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks.
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
For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window)
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase.Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment.
For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary.
For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree.You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy.
Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment.
Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered.
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 equality of opportunity. The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: [email protected] If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website here.
Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list.
Interview expenses will not be reimbursed.
UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more.
If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there.
Any move to UKHSA 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. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Benefits of working at UKHSA include:
- Generous annual leave:
- 26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service
- 28 days after 5 years of continuous service
- 32 days after 10 years of continuous service
- Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday
- Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions.
- Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving.
- Access to a retail discounts and cashback site.
- We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing.
- We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package.
Hybrid Working
UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.
As a hybrid worker, you will usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home.
Disability Confident Scheme
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview.If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.
To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you.
An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.
This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.
If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:
Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.
You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police Check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period.
Internal Fraud check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances.Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.