Environmental Public Health Scientist @ UK Health Security Agency

Job summary

The Environmental Hazards and Emergencies (EHE) Departmentprovidesauthoritative scientific advice to government, theNHSand other bodies.EHE's mission is to prepare for and prevent future health security hazards, strengthen capability and to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, and build the UK's capacity on health security for new and long-term exposure to environmental hazards.

The EHE Departmentcomprisesof multidisciplinary teams of scientist working across geographically dispersed locations within England and Wales. The departmentis responsible forprovidingspecialist advice at local,nationaland international level on the public health impact of acute and chronic non-infectious environmental exposures. Scientists collaborate with academia on research and evidence reviews to underpin this advice, such as via the National Institute of Health Protection Research Units (HPRU).

The post holder, based within one of the chemical and environmental hazards teams, will respond to chemical and environmental hazard incidents and enquiries which threaten people's health, through provision of public health risk assessments. Such threats might involve chemical fires, chemical contamination of the environment, or deliberate release of chemicals. The postholder will contribute to development of evidence and provision of expert environmental public health advice to government, multi-agency stakeholders and members of the public

Main duties of the job

Your key responsibilities will include

• Leadanenvironmental public health risk assessment for both acute and chronic chemical and environmental hazard exposures to prevent or mitigate risks to the public
• Critical analysis and interpretation of complex data to inform the public health risk assessment
• Translate scientific evidence and policy into practical applications
• 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 service during emergencies
• Provide expert and authoritative advice in relation to chemical and environmental hazards to key stakeholders including Government departments, emergencyservicesand members of the public
• Collaborate with stakeholders and multi-agency partners to improve the evidence base to protect the population fromidentifiedchemical and environmental hazards
• Effective communication of public health risk assessment and advice to stakeholders and members of the public
• Provide environmental public health training and teaching in relation to chemicals and environmental hazards
• Develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical,internaland external to UKHSA

Please Note: This list is not exhaustive

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

Job responsibilities

Responsibilities will include but not be limited to:

Training

• Provide training on environmental public health training issues associated with area of expertise in support of EHE training development courses. Contribute and present formal lectures to professional level training courses
• Review any training materials and provide critical review to improve training outcomes.
• Participate and where necessary represent EHE at multi-agency training including emergency planning, chemical incidentexercisesand other technical workshops

Communication and publication

• Dissemination of information and knowledge gathered from participation at workshops, meetings,seminarsand conferences to colleagues
• The writing and editing of research papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and contract reports.
• Collaboration with other national and international experts to obtain relevant technical information, discuss ideas, describe work developments and progress etc.
• Participation in scientific meetings and conferences, presenting papers describing research activities

Essential Criteria

• Honours degree in a science-related discipline (or equivalent qualification), and relevant postgraduate or integratedMastersdegree in a scientific subject, or equivalent professional experience within environmental public health protection.
• Experience in research and development within relevant scientific disciplines (e.g., environmental hazards, public health protection), with the ability to manage risks and report outcomes effectively
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including UKHSA staff, government representatives, and external organisations. Present complex technical information clearly to non-specialists and influence decisions through cohesive arguments.
• Demonstrate strong technical competence in data analysis and interpretation of complex, sometimes incomplete evidence. Apply scientific principles to assess novel situations,identifyhazards, and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and adaptable, with excellent time management skills to handle changing priorities. Proficient in Microsoft Office, able to build strong relationships, and willing to work irregular hours whenrequired
• Strong presentation skills with proven experience in developing and delivering engaging presentations to diverse audiences, including internal teams and external stakeholders.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria

• In-depth understanding of relevant legislation and commitment to continuing professional development
• Proven ability to design, deliver, and evaluate effective training programs for diverse audiences, ensuring knowledge transfer and skill development.
• Proven ability to contribute to strategic business planning, ensuring effective process implementation and successful delivery of organisational objectives.

Selection ProcessDetails

This vacancy is using SuccessProfiles andwill assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed onthe listed7essentialcriteria,and this will be in the form ofan:

• Application form(Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• 1500wordsupporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills,experienceandknowledgeprovide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

HealthjobsUK has a word limit of 1500.

Longlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswewilllonglistinto 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplications wemay conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of: (one or more essential criteria or a lead behaviour if usingbehaviourstatements).

• Honours degree in a science-related discipline (or equivalent qualification), and relevant postgraduate or integratedMastersdegree in a scientific subject, or equivalent professional experience within environmental public health protection.

Desirable criteria maybeusedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:Interview

Success profiles

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a face to face interview at Cardiff Metropolitan University, Western Ave, Cardiff, CF5 2YB

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skillswill be tested at interview.

There will be a Technical Presentation.

Strengths will be assessed via strength-based questions

You will be asked to prepare a 10-minute presentation on an environmental public health hazard of your choice. Explaining how you would assess and manage the risks and communicate scientific advice as a category one responder.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our offices in Cardiff. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce.

As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, averaged over a month) working at our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Eligibility Criteria

This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Senior Executive Officer (SEO)

• £41,983- £48,128 (National)

Person Specification

Application Form & Supporting Statement

Essential

• Application Form & Supporting Statement

Behaviours

Essential

• Making Effective Decisions (Lead behaviour)
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others
• Delivering at Pace

Strengths

Essential

• Strength Based Questions

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Cardiff Metropolitan University, Llandaff Campus

Cardiff

CF5 2YB

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)