Fire & Explosion Scientist/Engineer (Band 5/EO)
Health and Safety Executive
Apply before Midday on Monday 4th November 2024
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Business area
Type of role
Environment and Sustainability
Science
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Job summary
These junior engineer or scientist posts are based in the Explosive Atmospheres Team, at HSE's Science and Research Centre based in Buxton. The team is largely focused on the safe development of new energy technologies and achieving safe net zero, primarily hydrogen for heat & transport. The team undertake large (outdoor) and lab scale experimental programmes, consultancy and deliver specialised training, giving opportunity for both practical and desk-based work. Several of the teams larger ongoing projects are high profile collaborations with other scientific organisations/government departments, which offers opportunity to publish work and present at conferences.
The work of the team is not limited to just energy. You will be contributing to a diverse range of projects within the health and safety sector and be involved in both HSE led research projects and work for commercial clients.
As part of HSE, you may be required to provide scientific support to incident investigations, which in recent years have included dust explosions, electrostatic ignition sources and vapour cloud explosions. On occasion this will include working with HSE inspectors at the sites of industrial accidents, travelling across the UK. A typical incident investigation will involve taking and testing samples and contributing to an accurate report written in clear language - suitable for use in legal proceedings.
To view a short video of some of our test work, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE2mnZRMHB4
Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 0.8 FTE Per week.
Job description
We are looking for someone with a relevant qualification who is looking to work, develop skills and gain experience in a creative scientific/engineering environment to join our team. You will be contributing to the design, build and delivery of in/outdoor scientific experiments. The scale of these experiments ranges from being lab based, to using 1:1 scale outdoor test facilities. You will be joining the Explosive Atmospheres team that is comprised of approx. 12 scientists and engineers of varying experience. As a member of the team, you will be expected to contribute to its effective running, which may include the maintenance of team facilities, quality systems, or health safety wellbeing matters e.g., taking a role in calibrating equipment. You will have opportunity to develop competence in the following areas specific to team, such as DSEAR, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Process Design (P&IDs), Process Instrumentation, Data Logging, or Combustion Physics. The role will involve a significant amount of problem solving and allow you expand your range of expertise.
We are aware the combination of practical research and theoretical knowledge in this area is relatively niche, so we are looking for team members who have an appropriate academic background and aptitude for this mixed practical and academic type of work, to develop their skills, whilst working alongside existing team members.
We sponsor our team members professional memberships and attendance at relevant CPD events. For the right candidates, we may also support further academic study.
As this role has significant practical elements, it is expected that you will work primarily from the laboratory in Buxton. At times this will include working outdoors in all weathers.
Person specification
Essential Skills and Criteria
- Contribute to a range of projects that can be hazardous and complex, in a safe, scientifically robust way, that meets the required scope - following direction from colleagues and working to defined test plans, quality systems and risk assessments etc.
- Work to high professional standards in science and engineering, including constructively challenging approaches and techniques
- Write or contribute to, high quality, accurate scientific reports or papers that are suitable to be submitted to customers, journals or as evidence in legal proceedings.
- Support the presentation of technical work to expert and non-expert audiences, which may include travel (on occasion international).
- Communicate effectively with colleagues and customers both verbally and via email
- Organise, plan and prioritise your calendar to meet deadlines and achieve goals
- Work independently and as part of a team
- Be proactive in pursuing own continuing professional development in line with business need.
Licences
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Understanding of fundamental aspects of flammability and explosive atmospheres e.g. flammable gasses or dusts
- Health and Safety - Awareness of the hazards associated with flammable atmospheres, pressure systems and electrical equipment. Awareness of the risk assessment process.
- Further discussion and understanding of the examples provided in your personal statement, and how they relate to aspects of the job role
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 28.9% 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
Application Information
As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a CV that displays your qualifications and any work experience. You will also be asked to complete a personal statement (of no more than 1000 words) which should demonstrate the following:
Present as much evidence as you can demonstrating your knowledge, skills and/or experience that relates to the essential skills and criteria described in the person specification. Use of examples (academic or industrial) are welcomed (see STAR method) that highlight your suitability for the role. A couple of well-considered examples would be preferable to lists with limited detail.
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 information
The sift will take place during week commencing 4th November 2024, where you will be assessed you on your CV and Personal Statement.
Interview information
The interviews will be held at our Buxton site- Harpur Hill Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 9JN during the week commencing 18th November 2024. You will be assessed against the advertised behaviour, strengths and technical skills.
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, CV’s 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.
Further Information
Please note that a reserve list will be held for the period of up to 12 months.
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.
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.
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
Medical
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 : Edwina de Lewandowicz
- Email : edwina.lewandowicz@hse.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk
Further information
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact Civil Service Commissioners: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecodecomplaints/
