Regulatory Scientists - Various roles (Band 5/EO)
Health and Safety Executive
Apply before Midday on Monday 25th November 2024
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About the job
Job summary
CRD employs around 450 scientific, regulatory and support staff in Milton Keynes, Bootle, Bristol, Edinburgh, York and other areas across the UK. This is an exciting time to join CRD with opportunities to develop and shape our regulatory schemes for the future. Our primary role is to deliver regulatory schemes intended to protect the health of people and the environment, balancing the economic and social benefits that chemicals offer to society and helping to ensure the safe and sustainable use of chemicals.
We also have a role through guidance, partnership working and leadership to raise awareness and promote behavioural change to help improve the control of hazardous substances in the workplace.
To achieve this and deliver improved regulatory outcomes, we work closely with small and large businesses, and key stakeholders, ranging from industry bodies and multi-national chemical businesses, other government departments (in particular Defra) and other regulators across Europe and internationally.
Specifically, CRD regulates pesticides, biocides, industrial and consumer chemicals, detergents and the export and import of dangerous chemicals. Additionally, through intervention in the supply chain we seek to prevent the adverse effects of chemicals on people and the environment.
With a world-class reputation for safeguarding the health and safety of people at work, HSE is adapting and evolving to meet the new challenges following our departure from the EU. At CRD, we work with one goal in mind – to protect human health and the environment from the effects of potentially harmful substances and mixtures.
To help us meet these challenges, we require a number of ambitious Regulatory Scientists to join our various Scientific Teams.
Please note - we have specified that part-time positions are available however the minimum number of hours per week is 30.
Job description
We have opportunities for regulatory scientists to work in our various Regulatory Science Teams where work will be undertaken principally across the Biocides, Pesticides and REACH regimes.
We currently have exciting opportunities for regulatory scientists to work within Chemistry and Residues. Although it is likely we will have further roles coming up soon within our other areas.
For further details on these roles, please refer to the candidate pack, which can be found as a link towards the end of this advert.
Please note we will match successful candidates to roles according to your qualifications and background/experience. Depending on business needs, we may also have other regulatory scientist roles that we will consider you for. It is also expected that successful applicants will be flexible to respond to business needs and may need to work across the teams when required. You could be considered for other roles in the following areas:
- Environmental fate and behaviour
- Ecotoxicology
- Efficacy
- Operator Exposure
- Delivery Teams (REACH, Pesticides and Biocides)
No laboratory or field work is involved in these roles. There may be opportunities to undertake visits to testing facilities, field trials and external events for training and development.
You will join a structured training programme which will take approximately 18 to 36 months, will introduce you to all the elements of your role, enabling you to gain in-depth knowledge of the regulation of chemicals and develop valuable experience in regulatory science. As you become proficient, you will have the opportunity to apply for through-grading to Band 4.
Key Responsibilities
• To apply your scientific knowledge and skills to prepare written technical evaluations of data to meet internal quality standards.
• To provide scientific and regulatory advice and guidance to colleagues, applicants, stakeholders and members of the public.
• To analyse and interpret scientific information against relevant regulations, guidance and models in order to make robust regulatory decisions.
• Understanding and applying the relevant regulations, guidance and models.
• Presenting your summaries, decisions and conclusions to a variety of internal and external stakeholders e.g. expert groups and other Government Departments.
• To communicate scientific and regulatory information effectively.
• Working collaboratively with multi-disciplinary teams.
This is not an exhaustive list and there may be other tasks/responsibilities that will be required as part of these roles.
For further information about the team you will be joining, please see our attached candidate pack.
Person specification
Essential Skills and Criteria;
• Drive, determination and good planning skills which enable you to deliver at pace and to target.
• Ability to communicate, enabling you to collaborate effectively and engage with others.
• Ability to work flexibly and as part of a team.
• Sound analytical skills with the ability to write/present effective technical information in a clear, concise and timely way.
• Initiative and decisiveness, supporting your ability to make effective decisions, while being open to challenge and involving others.
• Commitment to learning and development, including on the job learning.
• IT skills, including experience in using Microsoft Office.
These roles offer a hybrid working pattern which will allow you to work from both home and the office. During training you may be required to attend the office more often, this may include travel to other HSE sites and some potential overnight stays.
Qualifications
Environmental Sciences
Biological Sciences – for example Ecology, Zoology, Plant Sciences, Microbiology
Agriculture
Chemistry
Biochemistry
Horticulture
Occupational Hygiene
Pharmacology
Toxicology
Biomedical Sciences
This is not an exhaustive list and qualifications will be reviewed throughout the recruitment process.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- How you have used your scientific knowledge and skills to evaluate a range of data?
- How you have demonstrated clear oral and written communication of scientific information and presented clear conclusions and decisions?
- Conducting a scientific study
- Hazard and risk
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- How you have used your scientific knowledge and skills to evaluate a range of data?
- How you have demonstrated clear oral and written communication of scientific information and presented clear conclusions and decisions?
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
We invest in our people with;
- Competitive rates of pay
- Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97%, far more than in the private sector.
- Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
- Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
- 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
- Parental leave benefits
- As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
We will recruit in three stages:
Application and online tests
Upon submission of your short application form you will be invited to complete a Numerical Reasoning test followed by a Verbal Reasoning test.
You will need to pass the Numerical Reasoning test to progress further. If you successfully pass both tests you will then be invited to complete and submit your full application form.
As the closing date for receipt of applications is 12:00 on Monday 25th November 2024 you should ensure you allow enough time to complete all stages of the application process and we would therefore advise that you complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended). If you fail to complete the online test and full application form before the deadline, your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the tests will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website. Please note, these tests are not timed.
Application Information
As part of your application you will be invited to submit a CV and personal statement (750 words) in which you should provide additional evidence to explain how your experience meets the essential skills and criteria listed in the person specification. You will also be asked to provide a 250 word statement towards two technical skills.
Application Guidance
Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/
Sift
The sift will take place from the w/c 25th November 2024 where we will assess your technical skills, CV and personal statement. Please note your CV will be used for information purposes only and not scored.
Interview stage
Interviews are expected to take place during the w/c 6th, 13th, 20th and 27th of January 2025 (please note these dates may be subject to change).
You will be invited to an interview where you will be assessed against Strengths, the Behaviours as outlined in the job advert together with your technical skills and experience for the role.
Please note that interviews will be conducted via Microsoft Teams.
AI Tools & Platforms
During the application process candidates are allowed to utilise AI (artificial intelligence) platforms and Tools to support them in writing their Behaviours, CVs and Personal Statements. However, all information submitted must be factually accurate. This includes presenting the ideas and experience of others, or those generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. All presented information will be assessed at the Interview Stage.
Sponsorship
This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.
Further Information
Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.
It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.
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 D&I Strategy.
HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.
We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements necessary for the post.
If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk
If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.
Any move to HSE 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 here
Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further;
Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Lauren Kinsella
- Email : lauren.kinsella@hse.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk
Further information
https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecodecomplaints/
