Higher Radiation Protection Scientist

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Duties in support of the Instrument Testing Service (ITS) team include:

• Contributing to regulatory examination/test/calibration/repair upon radiological protection instrumentation, aiming to becoming a Qualified Person, making decisions on Pass/Fail criteria, motivating others ensuring a high level of quality is maintained.
• Contributing to projects deciding depth and detail of work, drafting reports and assessing compliance against standards. Projects may include lead equivalence, lab characterisation, type-testing, technical development plus validation of procedures. Motivating team to complete projects on time/budget.
• Maintaining procedures, guidelines and accreditations (ISO 17025 UKAS) to ensure compliance best practice/international standards.
• Suggesting improvements to quality/efficiency via audits/documentation. Dealing with complaints/queries quickly to improve customer satisfaction.
• Providing coaching to trainees, demonstrating good practice in instrument testing, correct use of radiation facilities and ensuring Health & Safety practice is followed.

Duties in support of the Environmental Survey (ES) team include:

• Providing technical input into the Office of Nuclear Regulation (ONR) portfolio: assessment of complex technical reports and data to produce detailed summary reports making judgements against regulations.
• Contributing to on-site surveys/sampling, ensuring H&S of surveying team. Competent in use of radiation metrology instrumentation in lab conditions and during outdoor field operations on difficult terrain and all-weather conditions.

Other duties include:

• Line management and career development of staff, acting as a point of contact, taking independent action, providing advice on procedures or processes.
• Building/maintaining excellent working relationships with customers, suppliers and colleagues with a range of differing levels of knowledge from administrators to specialist radiation professionals. Communicating effectively using appropriate language, verbally/in-writing, to explain/resolve technical queries promptly and/or motivate them to deliver on agreements/contracts.
• Providing updates to senior colleagues on status of work via briefings/presentations/reports with recommendations.
• Fulfilling emergency role during radiation emergencies/exercises.
• Delivering formal lectures and practical exercises on courses including Radiological Protection Training Scheme Instrumentation and assisting in the development/modification of course material. 
• Representing UKHSA at meetings/conferences maintaining a professional approach to build good relationships with customers/colleagues to promote UKHSA commercial services and expertise.
• Write technical procedures, researching options to provide the best solutions to managers and colleagues. 
• Using sound judgement to address problems in project or service delivery i.e. technical issues, equipment failure, time slippage, variation from specification or quality and take responsibility to propose and implement solutions.
• Self-motivation and initiative to continually drive own progress, determining work priorities, methods and allocation of time/resources. 
• Performing procurement and assisting in the preparation of competitive tenders, assisting with drafting specifications and business cases, upgrading or replacing equipment/sources/control systems.

The above is only an outline of the core components, tasks and outcomes required of the role.  You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and the UKHSA.

Essential Role Criteria

• Degree level and/or post-graduate qualifications in a physical science relevant to radiation metrology or substantial equivalent experience related to radiation protection.
• Knowledge and understanding of the principles, methods, challenges, standards and legislation associated with ionizing radiation metrology.
• Experience of working in a customer facing team that delivers technically complex services in an area with stringent technical requirements.
• Ability to analyse scientific, technical and operational problems delivering sound recommendations.
• Ability to follow and apply ISO and IEC standards relevant to the generation of reference radiation fields and perform tests in those fields.
• Good interpersonal and written communications skills, and able to use the appropriate style and method for a wide range of situations.
• Competent to use a full range of radiation metrology instruments in laboratory conditions and appropriate instruments during field operations.
• Be adaptable and resourceful. Able to manage and prioritise a personal portfolio of short- and long-term work, make decisions autonomously, when required, working to tight and changing timescales.
• Hold, or be willing and able to obtain, a full UK driving license as is required to be able to do on-site sampling and outdoor field operations. 
• Have an understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Role Criteria

• Knowledge of Radiological Protection or radiation physics and experience in radiation metrology and instrument testing, including a good understanding of current best practice.
• Experience of planning and implementing challenging projects, project management principles, techniques, and tools.
• Experience of delivering formal lectures and training.
• Evidence of continued professional development in the field of ionizing radiation metrology.
• Knowledge and understanding of the legislation relating to licensing of nuclear sites and dose assessments from measurements against legislative requirements.

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework assessing your qualifications, knowledge, experience, skills and abilities outlined in the listed Essential Criteria.

Application & Sift  - Competency Based

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 10 Essential Criteria in this advert and will be in the form of:

• An Application form (‘Employer/ Activity History section on the application)
• 1000 word Supporting Statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the Essential Criteria. 

Please note you will not be able to upload or send/email your CV.  You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. 

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.  

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500 but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. 

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications, we may longlist into 3 piles of: 

• Meets all Essential Criteria 
  
• Meets some Essential Criteria
  
• Meets no Essential Criteria

Only those that 'Meets all Essential Criteria' & 'Meets some Essential Criteria' will progress to Shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications, we may conduct an initial sift on the following Essential Criteria:

• Knowledge and understanding of the principles, methods, challenges, standards and legislation associated with ionizing radiation metrology.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/successful candidates.

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

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview - Competency Based

You will be invited to a face-to-face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Interview location and date(s) to be confirmed. 

Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.   

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5-minute presentation at the start of the interview on a topic relevant to the role - Radiation Metrology. This must be emailed prior if progressed to interview.

You will also be asked at the end of the interview to participate in a practical test involving the use of a radiation monitor. 

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). 

Salary Information

HEO Outer: £35,587 - £43,244 per annum, pro rata

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. 

Location

This role is being offered as office based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0RQ. 

Please note, hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check. 

Successful candidates must also meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining   national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.