Environmental Public Health Scientist East of England
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About the job
Job summary
Job Title: Environmental Public Health Scientist
Salary & Grade: SEO (£38,967 to £44,240) (Outer London)
Location: UKHSA East of England
Permanent Contract
“The post holder, based within the dispersed chemical and environmental hazards team, will respond to chemical & environmental hazard incidents and enquiries, which threaten people's health, through the provision of public health risk assessments. Such threats might involve chemical fires, chemical contamination of the environment, or the deliberate release of chemicals and poisons.
The postholder will contribute to the development of evidence and provision of expert environmental public health advice to government, multi-agency stakeholders and members of the public. Other responsibilities include the provision of training to stakeholders, and the public health response to a range of consultations.
The postholder will be expected to work both independently on allocated objectives, and as part of a team of scientists from across the department who maintain the incident response function on a day to day basis. Excellent communication skills are required.”
Location
UKHSA East of England
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available. *
Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working.
Job description
Responsibilities section:
As the Environmental Public Health Scientist your main responsibilities will include:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities, and duties:
- Undertake environmental public health risk assessments for acute and chronic chemical and environmental hazard exposures to prevent or mitigate risks to the public
- Critically analyse and interpret complex data to inform the public health risk assessments.
- Develop and effectively communicate expert and authoritative advice in relation to chemical and environmental hazards to key stakeholders including Government departments, emergency services and members of the public
- Contribute to the UKHSA Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response arrangements as a Category 1 responder.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and multi-agency partners to ensure an effective and efficient public health response during emergencies.
- Collaborate with stakeholders and multi-agency partners to improve the evidence base in order to protect the population from identified chemical and environmental hazards
- Translate scientific evidence and policy into practical applications.
- Provide environmental public health training and teaching in relation to chemicals and environmental hazards.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
We are looking for an exceptional Environmental Public Health Scientist.
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:
Essential
- Good honours degree or equivalent in a scientific subject, or significant experience of working at a similar level in specialist area.
- Good post-graduate master’s degree in a scientific subject or equivalent experience
- Experience of research and development in a relevant scientific discipline (to master’s level or equivalent)
- High level experience in the relevant scientific environment e.g., environmental hazards, public health protection
- In depth understanding of appropriate legislation
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing to UKHSA staff, and representatives from Government Departments and other organisations. This may require presenting technically complicated information to non-technical staff and members of the public.
Desirable
- Experience in the provision of training
- Experience of monitoring budgets and business planning processes
- Comprehensive knowledge of project planning and management
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
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 Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview by video or Face-to-face.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 10-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
For further information on the selection process, please refer to the attached Candidate Pack.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on Monday 27th February 2023 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: w/c 6th March 2023
Interviews: TBC
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Security clearance level requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
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.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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