Assistant Scientist Asbestos - 28758
1
Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds
LEEDS NLS Olympia House, Gelderd Road, Leeds, LS12 6DD
Staff Grade 2
Permanent
Full Time
Analytical, Science
£22,754
We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.
If you are interested in varied role that involves both laboratory analysis and sampling visits with a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the team based at the Leeds laboratory. Prior technical knowledge of either forensic waste sampling or asbestos analysis is desirable but not necessary as full training will be provided. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency’s core responsibilities whilst working in a small team, taking samples and carrying out analysis.
You will need to work as part of a team to provide a world class service to our customers. You will provide the delivery of specific technical and scientific activities in line with defined plans while ensuring work is consistently delivered to required standards and service levels. You will actively promote health, safety and wellbeing matters ensuring the provision of safe working practices in line with EA guidance.
If you are interested in varied role that involves both laboratory analysis and sampling visits with a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person to join the team based at the Leeds laboratory. Prior technical knowledge of either forensic waste sampling or asbestos analysis is desirable but not necessary as full training will be provided. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency’s core responsibilities whilst working in a small team, taking samples and carrying out analysis.
You will need to work as part of a team to provide a world class service to our customers. You will provide the delivery of specific technical and scientific activities in line with defined plans while ensuring work is consistently delivered to required standards and service levels. You will actively promote health, safety and wellbeing matters ensuring the provision of safe working practices in line with EA guidance.
You’ll be working within a small Asbestos and Forensic Waste sampling team alongside approximately 50 Analytical staff. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline, as well as offering a bespoke Forensic Waste service which surveys and samples illegal or poorly performing waste sites.
Through experience to date you will ideally be able to demonstrate some of the following skills:
• Good communication skills
• Working to tight deadlines and an ability to prioritise workloads
• Working within a team
• Problem solving skills
• Experience of working within a UKAS accredited laboratory is desirable but not essential
Full training in asbestos analysis will be provided and this will allow the successful candidate to work towards asbestos qualifications P401, P402 and P403.
A full UK driving license is required for this role.
• Good communication skills
• Working to tight deadlines and an ability to prioritise workloads
• Working within a team
• Problem solving skills
• Experience of working within a UKAS accredited laboratory is desirable but not essential
Full training in asbestos analysis will be provided and this will allow the successful candidate to work towards asbestos qualifications P401, P402 and P403.
A full UK driving license is required for this role.
You’ll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support needed to succeed in your role.
You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents
We support flexible working hours and practices, you’ll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other employee benefits.
Our Leeds laboratory is well served by public transport, we have secure bike pods and free onsite parking.
For further information on this role, the employee benefits and work of the Environment Agency, please download the candidate pack. Please note, interviews will be held within 4 weeks of the closing date.
If you have any questions please contact the hiring manager:
Peter Maddison - peter.maddison@environment-agency.gov.uk
You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents
We support flexible working hours and practices, you’ll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other employee benefits.
Our Leeds laboratory is well served by public transport, we have secure bike pods and free onsite parking.
For further information on this role, the employee benefits and work of the Environment Agency, please download the candidate pack. Please note, interviews will be held within 4 weeks of the closing date.
If you have any questions please contact the hiring manager:
Peter Maddison - peter.maddison@environment-agency.gov.uk
31/03/2024, 23:55 hours
Basic Check
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
As part of your role, you will be required to find and deliver solutions by effectively analysing the information available. Please use the indicators below to answer the following question.
Please provide an example where you experienced a complicated problem, what steps you took to identify a root cause and outline the changes that were implemented as a result.
• Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
• Seeks out and considers the best available information before making decisions. Probes, checks and confirms veracity of data as appropriate.
• Confronts head-on difficult situations where major decisions have to be made quickly.
• Makes sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.
Please provide an example where you experienced a complicated problem, what steps you took to identify a root cause and outline the changes that were implemented as a result.
• Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
• Seeks out and considers the best available information before making decisions. Probes, checks and confirms veracity of data as appropriate.
• Confronts head-on difficult situations where major decisions have to be made quickly.
• Makes sound decisions based on complex or incomplete information and/or within limited timescales.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.
Achieves Results
As part of your role you may experience several conflicting deadlines at one time and you will be required to prioritise and organise these whilst ensuring results are provided in a timely manner. Please use the indicators below to answer the following question.
Please explain a time where you have had to deliver multiple pieces of work with conflicting deadlines, how did you achieve this whilst ensuring quality was not compromised.
• Maximises work output by setting goals and priorities tracking and measuring outcomes and taking swift remedial action when necessary.
• Can be relied upon to regularly exceed goals agreed.
• Is tenacious and perseveres when others might give up and by doing so achieves the desired results.
• Anticipates forth-coming issues and adjusts actions as necessary.
• Willing to put in extra effort to meet urgent deadlines when required; shows dedication and commitment; “goes the extra mile”.
• Is resilient and performs well under pressure; responds positively to setbacks and develops alternative action.
Please explain a time where you have had to deliver multiple pieces of work with conflicting deadlines, how did you achieve this whilst ensuring quality was not compromised.
• Maximises work output by setting goals and priorities tracking and measuring outcomes and taking swift remedial action when necessary.
• Can be relied upon to regularly exceed goals agreed.
• Is tenacious and perseveres when others might give up and by doing so achieves the desired results.
• Anticipates forth-coming issues and adjusts actions as necessary.
• Willing to put in extra effort to meet urgent deadlines when required; shows dedication and commitment; “goes the extra mile”.
• Is resilient and performs well under pressure; responds positively to setbacks and develops alternative action.
Works in Teams
As part of your role you will be required to work co-operatively as part of a team to achieve common goals. Please use the indicators below to answer the following question.
Please provide an example of where you have built and sustained relationships within your team and/or with other teams and how you did this.
• Identifies opportunities to work and build relationships with other team members.
• Builds relationships between own team and other teams.
• Supports the line manager in developing the team and gives constructive feedback to line manager.
• Effectively helps others to resolve conflict or tension.
• Actively involves themselves and participates in team activities
• Identifies personally with the team and speaks positively about it
• Balances personal and local team needs with those of the larger team; acts in the best interests of all wherever possible.
Please provide an example of where you have built and sustained relationships within your team and/or with other teams and how you did this.
• Identifies opportunities to work and build relationships with other team members.
• Builds relationships between own team and other teams.
• Supports the line manager in developing the team and gives constructive feedback to line manager.
• Effectively helps others to resolve conflict or tension.
• Actively involves themselves and participates in team activities
• Identifies personally with the team and speaks positively about it
• Balances personal and local team needs with those of the larger team; acts in the best interests of all wherever possible.
Full UK driving license
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
This Vacancy is closed to applications.