Senior Earth Observation Specialist
Rural Payments Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 28th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is an executive agency of the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), delivering over £2 billion in payments to farmers, traders and landowners each year.
We are an Operational Delivery Profession organisation, with the majority of our people delivering day to day services to our customers and stakeholders.
We make excellent delivery happen, empowering agricultural and rural communities to create a better place to live. We manage over 40 schemes, and also make payments on behalf of Natural England, to ensure we have a healthy rural economy, strong and sustainable rural communities, and to protect and enhance the natural environment.
Our vision is to create a great place for people living in this country. We have developed a set of four strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all of the important work that we carry out.
Further information can be found on the Rural Payments Agency website www.rpa.gov.uk
Job description
As a Senior Earth Observation Specialist, you will utilise a wide range of technology and data for surveillance, geo-intelligence gathering, and mapping of the natural environment and rural landscape. You will be part of the Geospatial Team within the RPA, which is responsible for overseeing and delivering various geomatics capabilities, including earth observation, the geospatial data supply chain, machine learning, spatial analytics, and the design of enterprise geospatial information products and solutions.
This outstanding opportunity is aimed at an Earth Observation Specialist with excellent technical knowledge of data science concepts and a keen interest in working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and motivated team environment. Successful applicants will have the unique chance to work, develop, and grow their skills within a geo-centric organisation.
You will be involved in an exciting and expanding business area, where you will further develop and exploit data from airborne platforms and remote sensing satellites. This is an excellent opportunity to contribute to strategic environmental programmes and business-critical initiatives within central government.
Our team has already embedded remote sensing and machine learning capabilities into operational business processes. Working with the existing team, you will help to develop and exploit these capabilities within enterprise-scale business processes. You will gain experience working with various teams across the agency and wider government, delivering projects, engaging with our supply chain, and contributing to a fast-growing business area.
Earth observation is a key growth area for the RPA. By creating deep learning algorithms, you will train models to produce markers that capture key options and actions in our schemes, identifying objects and events such as bare soil, mowing, and harvesting, and meeting our regulatory obligations for hedgerows.
With access to high-resolution, high-frequency interpolated satellite imagery and aerial photography, you will develop these markers and apply them at scale across England. These capabilities are transforming how our field teams work with customers, helping them maximise the benefits of their agreements.
Looking ahead, you will lead innovation in platforming our land data and intelligence, integrating these with the appropriate systems within the RPA and across wider government departments, with a focus on driving environmental recovery as well as food and biosecurity.
We are also working to develop new markers to broaden the scope of remote monitoring for schemes, which will be crucial to delivering a widescale monitoring capability across England, helping to determine strategic outcomes and guide policy direction.
Additionally, you will have the opportunity to develop new data products derived from imagery for the RPA, wider government, and the general public. We are eager for you to bring forward ideas for potential future projects and be open to collaborating with Geospatial and Earth Observation experts from other government departments to share expertise and modernise the way we work.
Person specification
Your responsibilities in the post will include:
- Acting as the subject matter expert on satellite and airborne surveillance, along with data capture, providing technical support on remote sensing and Earth Observation to internal stakeholders.
- Leading the development of new markers and classifications through machine learning and remote sensing, and deploying these solutions at scale.
- Overseeing and assuring the supply chain responsible for national remote sensing surveillance, ensuring alignment with Sustainable Farming Incentive standards.
- Continuously learning and applying new data science tools and techniques within the geospatial field to enhance capabilities.
- Developing new data products and processes to benefit both the RPA and Defra, contributing to key initiatives.
- Providing consultancy to internal teams, advising on effective ways to exploit geospatial data and building capability across operational teams, the analytical community, and the earth observation community.
- Championing the adoption of data science within the geospatial domain, promoting its use across Defra and RPA.
- Participating in innovation and research projects with other Defra network agencies, supporting the development of workflows that leverage geomatics and remote sensing technologies.
- Managing, mentoring, and developing junior staff, actively supporting their growth and career progression.
Essential skills and experience:
- Proven experience in a remote sensing or geospatial analytical/technical role, with a track record of consulting and troubleshooting.
- Demonstrated success in developing and delivering geospatial tools and data products.
- Strong understanding of space platforms and sensors, with practical experience in image processing and classification techniques.
- Experience with machine learning algorithms and advanced statistical modelling, including proficiency in tools such as Random Forest Classifier, R, Python, and GDAL.
- Expertise in ETL tools such as Safe FME (desktop and server) and proficiency in spatial data visualisation techniques.
- Solid understanding of business analysis techniques, including gathering requirements and translating them into solutions suitable for large-scale business implementation.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to simplify and convey complex concepts to non-technical audiences.
- Proven ability to build strong relationships and influence a range of stakeholders, including colleagues, customers, and suppliers.
- Demonstrated leadership and team management skills, with the ability to motivate and guide technical staff while promoting best practices and high performance within the team.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
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 employer contribution of 28.97%.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:
- A CV
- A 750-word personal statement demonstrating how you meet the essential skills and experience detailed in the advertisement.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates can be found in the attached candidate pack.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Experience, Strengths and the following behaviours:
- Communicating & influencing
- Leadership
- Changing & Improving
- Working Together
As part of your interview, you will be asked to give a 10-minute pre-prepared presentation assessing Experience and Communicating & Influencing. Further details will be provided to you if you are successful at sift. You can choose how to present.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video via Teams. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, 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 and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s 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 choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. 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.
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.
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.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Near miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in the RPA which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that the RPA 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 you’re 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 offenses. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s 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 the RPA 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
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 : HRResourcingSupport@defra.gov.uk
- Email : HRResourcingSupport@defra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : DefraRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
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: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.
