Environmental Public Health Scientist

Job summary

The Environmental Hazards and Emergencies (EHE) Department provides authoritative scientific advice to government, the NHS and other bodies. EHE’s mission is to prepare for and prevent future health security hazards, strengthen capability and to respond to chemical and environmental emergencies, and build the UK’s capacity on health security for new and long-term exposure to environmental hazards.

The EHE Department comprises of multidisciplinary teams of scientist working across geographically dispersed locations within England and Wales. The department is responsible for providing specialist advice at local, national and international level on the public health impact of acute and chronic non-infectious environmental exposures. Scientists collaborate with academia on research and evidence reviews to underpin this advice, such as via the National Institute of Health Protection Research Units (HPRU).

The post holder, based in South & London dispersed chemical and environmental hazards team, will respond to chemical and environmental hazard incidents and enquiries which threaten people’s health, through the provision of public health risk assessments. Such threats might involve chemical fires, chemical contamination of the environment, or the deliberate release of chemicals and poisons. The postholder will contribute to the development of evidence and provision of expert environmental public health advice to government, multi-agency stakeholders and members of the public.

Working for your organisation

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.

Job description

• Lead an environmental public health risk assessment for both acute and chronic chemical and environmental hazard exposures to prevent or mitigate risks to the public
• Critical analysis and interpretation of complex data to inform the public health risk assessment
• Translate scientific evidence and policy into practical applications
• Contribute to the UKHSA Emergency Preparedness Resilience and Response arrangements as a Category 1 responder
• Collaborate with stakeholders and multi-agency partners to ensure an effective and efficient public health response service during emergencies
• Provide expert and authoritative advice in relation to chemical and environmental hazards to key stakeholders including Government departments, emergency services and members of the public
• Collaborate with stakeholders and multi-agency partners to improve the evidence base to protect the population from identified chemical and environmental hazards
• Effective communication of public health risk assessment and advice to stakeholders and members of the public
• Provide environmental public health training and teaching in relation to chemicals and environmental hazards
• Develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA

Detailed job description and main responsibilities; in addition to the main duties of the job outlined above, the job also requires undertaking of the following:

Training

• Provide training on environmental public health training issues associated with area of expertise in support of EHE training development courses.
  • Contribute and present formal lectures to professional level training courses
  • Review any training materials and provide critical review to improve training outcomes.
  • Participate and where necessary represent EHE at multi-agency training including emergency planning, chemical incident exercises and other technical workshops

Communication and publication

• Dissemination of information and knowledge gathered from participation at workshops, meetings, seminars and conferences to colleagues
• The writing and editing of research papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and contract reports.
• Collaboration with other national and international experts to obtain relevant technical information, discuss ideas, describe work developments and progress etc.
• Participation in scientific meetings and conferences, presenting papers describing research activities

Other

• The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.
• The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.
• It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purpos

Professional development

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events
• To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

Person specification

Essential criteria:

• Honours degree in a science-related discipline (or equivalent qualification), or substantial experience working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area
• Relevant postgraduate or integrated Master’s degree in a scientific subject, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in research and development within relevant scientific disciplines (e.g., environmental hazards, public health protection), with the ability to manage risks and report outcomes effectively
• Proven ability to coordinate projects in complex environments and draft clear, accurate briefing papers and correspondence for senior management.
• Communicate effectively with diverse audiences, including UKHSA staff, government representatives, and external organisations. Present complex technical information clearly to non-specialists and influence decisions through cohesive arguments.
• Demonstrate strong technical competence in data analysis and interpretation of complex, sometimes incomplete evidence. Apply scientific principles to assess novel situations, identify hazards, and make informed decisions under pressure.
• Highly organised, self-motivated, and adaptable, with excellent time management skills to handle changing priorities. Proficient in Microsoft Office, able to build strong relationships, and willing to work irregular hours when required
• Strong presentation skills with proven experience in developing and delivering engaging presentations to diverse audiences, including internal teams and external stakeholders.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable criteria:

• In-depth understanding of relevant legislation and commitment to continuing professional development
• Proven ability to design, deliver, and evaluate effective training programs for diverse audiences, ensuring knowledge transfer and skill development.
• Proven ability to contribute to strategic business planning, ensuring effective process implementation and successful delivery of organisational objectives.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 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%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (9) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1250 word supporting statement

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible).

Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250words. We will not consider any words over 1250 words.

Longlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the following will proceed to shortlisting:

1. Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Honours degree in a science-related discipline (or equivalent qualification), or substantial experience working at a similar level in a relevant specialist area
• Relevant postgraduate or integrated Master’s degree in a scientific subject, or equivalent professional experience.
• Experience in research and development within relevant scientific disciplines (e.g., environmental hazards, public health protection), with the ability to manage risks and report outcomes effectively

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profiles Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be invited to a single face to face interview. (In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.)

Behaviours, Strengths, Experience, and technical skills will be tested at interview.

You will be asked to prepare and present a 5–10 minute presentation. This will be assessing your technical skills and the 'communicating and influencing' behaviour. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• communicating and influencing
• working at pace
• making effective decisions – lead behaviour
• developing self and others

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at the office in Bristol.

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) working at our office. Our core HQ offices are modern and newly refurbished with excellent city centre transport links and benefit from co-location with other government departments such as the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC).

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard.

Eligibility Criteria – External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Future location
UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

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.

Internal Fraud Check
If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub, and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for external candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Gurkamal Bhambra
• Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa..gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the
basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's
Recruitment Principles.
If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment
Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should
contact the UKHSA Complaints team via email at: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can
contact the Civil Service Commission. Visit the Civil Service Commission website for
further information: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk