Analytical Scientist - 16642
1
Yorkshire and the Humber
Leeds
LEEDS NLS Olympia House, Gelderd Road, Leeds, LS12 6DD
Staff Grade 4
Permanent
Full Time
Analytical
£28,785
The successful candidate will be responsible for supervising a team carrying out chemical and physical analysis of environmental samples in our Leeds laboratory.
As a technical lead within your department you will be responsible for improving existing methods and developing new ones when required. You will use your knowledge and problem solving skills to identify root causes and to rectify technical issues.
You will need to work as part of a team helping to motivate and develop staff to provide a world class service to our internal and external 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.
As a technical lead within your department you will be responsible for improving existing methods and developing new ones when required. You will use your knowledge and problem solving skills to identify root causes and to rectify technical issues.
You will need to work as part of a team helping to motivate and develop staff to provide a world class service to our internal and external 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 part of the Monitoring Laboratories team that provides analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers. You will be based at the Laboratory in Leeds where there are around 35 Analytical staff and around 12 Customer Services staff. The team in Leeds carry out analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from England and around the coastline. The Leeds Laboratory also delivers the bespoke Forensic Waste Service.
Experience and knowledge of the Environment Agency's chemical and physical analysis programme is an advantage but not essential.
Experience of working in an analytical laboratory with an in depth knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation, preferably in the field of environmental analysis. Experience of using, troubleshooting and developing methods on ICPMS and ICPOES instrumentation is desirable.
You will supervise a team to deliver work within tight timescales and to strict quality criteria.
You will preferably have experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited laboratory.
Ideally you will be educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
Experience of working in an analytical laboratory with an in depth knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation, preferably in the field of environmental analysis. Experience of using, troubleshooting and developing methods on ICPMS and ICPOES instrumentation is desirable.
You will supervise a team to deliver work within tight timescales and to strict quality criteria.
You will preferably have experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited laboratory.
Ideally you will be educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.
Please contact Jill Hutton at jill.hutton@environment-agency.gov.uk for further information
14/03/2021, 23:55 hours
Basic Check
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Please give an example of when you have applied your acquired knowledge and experience to produce and interpret results from samples analysed in the chemistry/ microbiology laboratory. Use the information below as a guide.
• Recognises and rectifies malfunctions in analytical systems.
• Solves complex technical / analytical problems.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Uses a range of analytical techniques.
• Develops and introduces new analytical techniques and is aware of scientific and technological developments in the field.
• Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.
• Recognises and rectifies malfunctions in analytical systems.
• Solves complex technical / analytical problems.
• Identifies and asks appropriate questions to explore and detect root causes of problems or sources and quality of evidence.
• Uses a range of analytical techniques.
• Develops and introduces new analytical techniques and is aware of scientific and technological developments in the field.
• Uses previous experience and careful analysis to identify potential problems, effective solutions and arrive at sound decisions.
• Applies sound techniques to analyse problems, generate options and select best course of action.
• Escalates issues when they are beyond own limitations and/or have consequences further than own responsibilities.
Communicates Effectively
Please give an example of when you have communicated effectively with a wide range of people in the workplace. Use the information below as a guide
• Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
• Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution.
• Uses full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
• Considers needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method and style.
• Prepares written reports and data in clear, readable and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax and style.
• Ensures communication is two-way; responds and acts on feedback
• When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention from an audience.
• Is clear and to the point when speaking.
• Anticipates the main issues and prepares responses.
• Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
• Is an active listener, has time for people; seeks their contribution.
• Uses full range of communication methods to ensure effective understanding.
• Considers needs of and impact on audience, anticipates reactions and uses appropriate communication method and style.
• Prepares written reports and data in clear, readable and accurate manner, using appropriate grammar, syntax and style.
• Ensures communication is two-way; responds and acts on feedback
• When presenting is easily understood and inspires attention from an audience.
• Is clear and to the point when speaking.
• Anticipates the main issues and prepares responses.
Focuses on Efficiency, Innovation and Quality
Please give an example of when you have identified and seized an opportunity to create, introduce and implement new or improved methods and/ or processes without compromising quality or accuracy. Use the information below as a guide
• Takes responsibility for the quality and timeliness of own work, admits errors when necessary and quickly takes action to rectify
• Demonstrates an ongoing concern to improve performance and increase efficiency.
• Checks and ensures the accuracy of information received and produces work that is right first time.
• Puts in place checks to ensure that plans and processes are being carried out to the required degree of accuracy.
• Actively seeks and implements opportunities to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of self and the team.
• Ensures that data and information are always delivered in an accurate, timely and legal manner.
• Proactively looks for better ways of doing things; learns from events and seeks to improve future performance.
• Takes responsibility for the quality and timeliness of own work, admits errors when necessary and quickly takes action to rectify
• Demonstrates an ongoing concern to improve performance and increase efficiency.
• Checks and ensures the accuracy of information received and produces work that is right first time.
• Puts in place checks to ensure that plans and processes are being carried out to the required degree of accuracy.
• Actively seeks and implements opportunities to maximise efficiency and effectiveness of self and the team.
• Ensures that data and information are always delivered in an accurate, timely and legal manner.
• Proactively looks for better ways of doing things; learns from events and seeks to improve future performance.
Works in Teams
Give an example of when you have worked co-operatively as part of a team and supported them to achieve common goals. Use the information below as a guide
• 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.
• 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.
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.