Radiation Protection Specialist (Trainee RPA)

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Are you an enthusiastic scientist who enjoys applying their specialist knowledge in the real world? Can you think on your feet and stay calm under pressure? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for a career in radiation protection with the UK Health Security Agency. No previous knowledge or experience of radiation protection is required as we will provide full support through a structured training programme.
In addition to our role as a Category 1 responder for radiation emergencies, we work with a wide range of clients operating in sectors as diverse as dentistry to aerospace and waste disposal to the high tech-world of Formula One. So, if you want to make a difference in a role that combines variety with the practical application of scientific principles this could be just for you.
The successful applicant will join an established professional team providing advice on safe working practices and regulatory compliance for all types of radiation from X-rays and gamma rays to radioactive materials, lasers and electromagnetic fields., The role will involve:
+ The provision of income earning radiation protection services to a wide range of clients, advising on and assisting with regulatory compliance and implementation of effective safety management programmes for work with ionising and non-ionising radiations. This is achieved through consultations with clients, situation analysis/risk assessment and the preparation of persuasive and authoritative reports.
+ Support for and contribution to training courses in radiation protection for a wide range of clients and at a range of levels.
+ Responding to radiation events and incidents on behalf of commercial clients.
+ To participate in UKHSA's unique statutory role as a Category 1 responder to national radiation emergencies and, when required, non-radiological events.
+ Responding to enquiries on a wide range of radiation protection issues from the public, industry, and local and national agencies.
+ Supporting UKHSA activities relating to the development of standards, legislation etc with respect to operational radiation protection issues.
To provide expert advice:
+ To clients, from equipment operators to senior managers/directors on all aspects of radiation safety relevant to their practices.
+ On compliance with all relevant radiation safety legislation.
+ On the design of new facilities and techniques where ionising radiations are used. This includes laboratories, X-ray facilities used in medicine and industrial facilities.
+ On the safe storage and disposal of radioactive materials and their safe transportation.
+ On remediation after a radiological incident resulting in contamination and assess by direct means the extent of such contamination
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary., This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your Qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and capabilities outlined in the essential criteria.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the above listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of
+ an Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
+ a 1000 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment
Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
You will be invited to a (single) Remote interview.
Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview
As part of the interview you will be required to discuss a selected radiation topic and complete a written test, details of this will be provided to you.
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).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist Check
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.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our lab/office in Chilton. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month).
If based at one of our scientific locations you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum.
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should: Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/
International Police check:
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

+ Ability to communicate effectively at all levels; formally, informally, orally and in writing to clients, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations.
+ Ability to put forward cohesive arguments and influence people.
+ Ability to effectively communicate scientific information on radiation risks to non-specialists.
+ Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues and recommend an appropriate course of action to address issues.
+ Good presentation skills for training courses, scientific and more general meetings.
+ Able to work largely unsupervised and manage own workload.
+ Strong self-motivation, high personal integrity and excellent time management.
+ Hold a full clean UK driving license and willing to travel on UKHSA business.

Alongside your salary of £34,093, UK Health Security Agency contributes £9,876 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
+ Learning and development tailored to your role
+ An environment with flexible working options
+ A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
+ A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%