Operational Support Supervisor -11374

1
South West
Exeter
NLS Starcross Lab Exeter, EX6 8FD
Staff Grade 3
Permanent
Full Time
Operational Delivery
£22,792
We are the Environment Agency. We protect and improve the environment. Acting to reduce the impacts of a changing climate on people and wildlife is at the heart of everything we do. We work with government, local councils, businesses, civil society groups and communities to make our environment a better place for people and wildlife.

As Operational Support Supervisor you will be expected to deliver a wide-ranging workload to specific timescales. The main areas of responsibility being laboratory support and commercial sample registration.
This role is extremely varied and draws upon a diverse range of transferrable skills. Working closely with other teams, you can expect to be involved in any of the following:

• Supporting the various laboratory sections and Scientists to deliver their analysis programme
• Working closely with Facilities, laboratory, customer services and bottle dispatch colleagues to achieve shared outcomes
• Collecting and analysing trends in work to improve efficiencies
• Planning and implementing projects to deliver ad-hoc assignments alongside routine work
• Manage consumable stock levels
• Assisting with laboratory pollution incident response when required
The National Laboratory Service (NLS) provides the Environment Agency with analytical data from environmental samples. The service underpins the Agency’s statutory responsibilities and plays a key role in their environmental monitoring.
NLS Starcross is the hub for all incoming samples from the Agency and Commercial customers. The Operational Support team handles samples at all stages of their life cycle. The team also provides all the supportive, non-analytical, functions for the laboratory.
Excellent communication skills are a must as you’ll be working with a diverse range of people. Through experience to date you will be able to demonstrate the following:
• An understanding of monitoring via environmental sampling
• Awareness of laboratory quality control and the team’s role in ensuring these are maintained.
• Ability to develop and maintain good relationships with internal and external customers
• Delivery of work by managing workload and resources.
• Customer focus, attention to detail and problem solving skills
• Focuses on Health, Safety and Wellbeing at all stages of work
• Ability to work on your own initiative and as part of a team to make decisions and achieve planned outcomes
• Good organisational skills and an ability to use MS Office
The key things are transferable skills and capabilities, so do not be put off applying if you don’t have experience in this sector.
Please note that that your answers to the capability questions will be used to determine interview selection.

The role is based at NLS Starcross, on a full time (37 hour) week, working Monday to Friday.

Everyone starting in a new role with the Environment Agency will be welcomed into the team and given all of the training and support you need to succeed.

For any questions relating to this role, please contact: nicola.brister@environment-agency.gov.uk

26/07/2019, 23:55 hours

Basic Check
Achieves Results
Describe how you have delivered a complex workload successfully.
Tell us what goals you set at the beginning and how this influenced the outcomes.
What issues did you face and how did you overcome them?
Would you do anything differently if faced with a similar situation?
Focuses on Customers and Partners
Give an example of when you have had to balance the needs of a number of different customers (internal and external).
What factors influenced your decisions?
What resources did you use and did their availability impact your responses/prioritisation?
Were your customers satisfied with your service delivery?
Communicates Effectively
Describe a time when you have had to communicate a complex topic/information to others.
What methods did you use and why?
What were the needs of your audience?
Were there any barriers to communication and how did you overcome them?
How did you ensure that your message was received and understood?
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.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.