Data Scientist - Chemicals - 28600

We value diversity and welcome all candidates with the required skills and experience for the role.

Could you use your data and statistical skills to help us shape the way we manage the environmental impact of chemicals?

We are looking for an experienced Data Scientist/Analyst who feels passionately about reducing the impacts of chemicals in the environment. This is an exciting time to work in our chemicals programme, as we are developing new data sets resulting from innovative monitoring techniques such as passive sampling and non target screening. In this role you will be interrogating our chemicals monitoring data to inform decision making - sharing trends, conclusions and making recommendations on the basis of your analysis.

You will lead a small data analysis team to deliver existing and new data science approaches. You will work with others across the business to identify opportunities to improve data collation and analysis to deliver a timely and evidence-led approach to our management of chemicals in the environment.

You will develop open data products to enable external partners to better understand our data. Good communication skills will also be important as you will be required to communicate conclusions from our data analysis and present information in a variety of interesting formats.

In addition to experience of working with data we are also looking for an individual who can successfully lead a team. You will provide mentoring and coaching to data analyst apprentices and you may have direct reports to line manage.

You do not need to be a chemist but an understanding of chemicals in the environment or experience of working with environmental data would be an advantage.

The post sits within the Chemicals Surveillance and Emerging Risks Team in the Chemicals Programme, a national team within the Environment and Business Directorate. The team are focused on ensuring emerging chemical risks are identified, and we have robust evidence to influence policy and inform our regulatory responses.

We are a dispersed team, and you will need to be comfortable working virtually via MS teams.

You will have extensive experience of managing and analysing large data sets from multiple sources to inform decision making. Experience of manipulating environmental data sets or an understanding of chemicals in the environment would help you engage with technical experts on data interpretation. Most important is your willingness to develop your understanding in this area.
You should have:
• Experience in coding and statistical computing and analysis software such as ‘R’, Python, Power BI and Arc GIS.
• Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
• Ability to manage your own workload, prioritising conflicting demands to meet deadlines.
• Leadership skills with the ability to delegate, coach and mentor and appropriately utilise team members skill sets.
• Excellent communication skills to convey information and conclusions to non-technical audiences
You do not need to be a chemist but awareness of the risks posed by chemicals in the environment and/or environmental regulation would be advantageous.

The role is available with a flexible base location at any Environment Agency office within England. The role will require regular travel to locations including Bristol, London and Birmingham and will include overnight stays.

Everyone that joins us is required to undertake training and participate in incident response duties when needed. An incident role is an essential part of working for us and an active way to support communities and prevent environmental harm.

A reserve list will be held for this role for up to 6 months.

For further information about this post please contact Kelly Short. (kelly.short@environment-agency.gov.uk or 07979 778081)

Interviews will be conducted via video call. Interviews are likely to be in mid May, but this could change.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response.

Description: Collects, analyses, interprets, records, manages, develops and shares data, material or information appropriately for a variety of purposes.

Please provide an example of where you have had to analyse and interrogate large sets of data and present your findings/conclusions to a wider audience.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response.

Description: Addresses the needs of internal and external customers, provides rapid and effective responses.

Please provide an example of where you have worked a customer or partner to identify their data science needs and deliver an effective approach to meet their business needs.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response.

Description: Identifies and seizes the opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods, processes and without, compromising quality or accuracy.

Please provide an example of where you identified and implemented new or improved methods and processes to deliver an important outcome/business efficiency.

PLEASE NOTE: Your answer will be used for interview selection - please draw out your skills and experience in your response. You may find it helpful to research the STAR approach when formulating your response.

Description: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.

Please provide an example where you have had to co-ordinate others to deliver a complex task.