Details

Reference number

405823

Salary

£28,710 - £29,281

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information

Location

Lowestoft

About the job

Job summary

An exciting opportunity exists for an Analytical Chemist within the Radiological and Chemical Sciences (RACS) Group. The radiological sciences area comprises of a diverse group of scientists who provide high quality analytical support, data interpretation and scientific advice to a comprehensive portfolio of internal and external contracts for UK and international customers.

The primary purpose of the role is to undertake radiochemical analyses of environmental samples, delivering high quality analytical results to support a nationwide food and environmental sampling programme around nuclear sites to support radiological protection. Based at our Lowestoft site, you will utilise your expertise in analytical techniques to meet delivery and ensure that the labs operate to high quality standards including UKAS accreditation

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

Job description

The main duties and responsibilities of this post include:

Primary focus on the practical analytical separation and determination of a variety of radionuclides from environmental samples. This will involve techniques such as ion exchange chromatography, co-precipitations, electrodeposition and the use of detection systems including alpha spectrometry, liquid scintillation, gas flow proportional counters and ICP-MS.
Miscellaneous duties associated with general laboratory housekeeping activities (maintaining a clean, tidy and professional work facility, calibration of equipment, preparation of reagents, etc).
Delivery of high-quality results, ensuring absolute analytical integrity and compliance with internal and external quality systems. All routine laboratory work conducted in accordance with the UKAS standard (ISO17025).
Assisting with analytical method development to improve current procedures and development of novel techniques to suit an evolving customer demand.
Ensuring compliance with relevant Health and Safety requirements and Quality Procedures, including rigorous adherence to relevant CoSHH and process Risk Assessments.
Using the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) to access data.

Full training in all radiochemical and radiometric procedures will be provided. There will be opportunities to gain wider experience of radioanalytical assay and contribute to other aspects of the work required to deliver our radiological monitoring programmes.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Line Managers and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

Person specification

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in these areas:

You must have good communication skills, both verbal and written, be flexible and possess the ability to organise your own workload to meet deadlines.
Practical experience of working in an analytical laboratory (chemical or radiochemical), a positive approach to Health and Safety obligations, the ability to work to strict quality requirements and follow Standard Operating Procedures.
Effective team working is essential to this role, as is the ability to work independently using your own initiative.
Highly self-motivated, enthusiastic about the work, and a positive attitude to learn new radioanalytical skills.
You must be methodical and organised, have sound problem-solving skills and excellent attention to detail.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Changing and Improving

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

Working Together

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

A good understanding of chemistry and radioactivity is required.
Good IT skills are essential with experience of standard Microsoft applications such as Excel and Word.
Experience with the Health and Safety processes required for a laboratory

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,710, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £8,317 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Generous annual leave entitlement Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday.
Access to learning and development tailored to your role.
A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options.
A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
Skills and Personal Effectiveness Allowances (SPEA) to recognise the development of capability and enhanced responsibility that it is possible to build up over time spent working at a particular grade (minimum of two years). These are non-consolidated.
Biannual Personal Performance Payments (non-consolidated) linked to individual performance.
Spot Performance Payments (non-consolidated) linked to outstanding work delivered, outstanding results achieved or outstanding contribution.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles , and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Application Process
As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a maximum 750-word personal statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a maximum 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead behaviour Working Together.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what youll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV

For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link Statement
For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link Behaviours

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your CV and personal statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Working Together. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview schedule and details will be confirmed on release of the sift results.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours, your Experience and your Technical Skills.

Please be aware that interviews will take place in person at the Lowestoft Laboratory.

If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour Working Together will be used by the panel.

A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.

A date has not yet been confirmed for the interviews to take place.

Location

Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Lowestoft. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the laboratory or office locations listed in this advert in order to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business needs.

Office Attendance

As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Where the location is National the successful appointee should discuss an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defras location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may chose to remain in their current contractual location or may chose to change location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Please note this vacancy is a lab-based role and therefore there is a requirement for the post holder to be on-site on a daily basis. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an oversees location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Database Check

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 applicants 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.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

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)
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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans 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.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : Clare Avieson or Alec Wilson
Email : resourcing@cefas.co.uk

Recruitment team

Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

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 Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here

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