Higher Data Scientist - Marine FTA - ( Ref : 6611 )

Job summary

This position is based Nationally

Job description

Data Science Services (DSS) is part of the Analysis Directorate. We are a large, national team and have broad skills including data science, analysis and statistics. We are passionate about quality technical delivery and continuous improvement, using novel data science approaches to help everyone understand nature recovery. We are looking for a Higher Data Scientist who can lead data analyses and implement improvements across a range of projects, playing a key role in applying advanced analytical and machine learning techniques to complex problems. In addition, the post holder will be contributing to the development and improvement of data science across the team.

Data Science Services are looking for a Higher Data Scientist to support in the development of the Natural England Seabed Spatial Sensitivity Tool (NESSST), a scripted tool in R planned to be supported by a PostgreSQL/PostGIS relational database with an RShiny front end that wrangles existing Marine Evidence Bases to spatially present seabed habitat sensitivity. NESSST will support robust analysis of impacts from Fishing activities and Offshore Wind installation and operation to develop advice on sustainable use of the seabed in English Waters promoting Nature Recovery in local and national projects and programs. This role will also support with development of the Benthic Impact Fisheries Programme, focusing on the data science of fisheries activity and benthic indicator development.

Job description

Key Tasks/Principal Accountabilities

• Support on the development for NESSST including QA, databases, code and hosting requirements, carry out complex data and spatial analysis to deliver NESSST development.
• Ensure NESSST development meets Reproducible Analytical Pipeline (RAP) standards including automated QA to data assimilation, code functionalisation and unit testing.
• Liaise with Senior Data Scientist and Principal Data Scientist to ensure development plans and deployment to NESSST are efficient and resourced, and that risks and issues are identified and monitored.
• For standard sub-projects with internal customers, engage with customers to scope projects and communicate progress and results, for complex sub-project support Senior Data Scientist with customer engagement providing supporting materials for scoping and communications.
• Support team members with understanding of NESSST and advise on the development of team protocols.

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

Data analysis skills including:

• Data extraction/ingestion and preparation, exploratory data analysis, and data visualisation.
• Working with a range of spatial and non-spatial data types.
• Strong experience of coding in R.
• Knowledge of relevant data/metadata standards.
• Understanding of good practice, ethics, and quality assurance for data analysis.
• Experience of using GitHub for robust code version control.
• Desirable: Experience working with database management systems (PostgreSQL, Access) and writing queries.
• Desirable: Understanding of UK marine habitat and sensitivity data – all our work uses habitat data with EUNIS codes and MarESA sensitivity data.

How to Apply

We welcome and encourage applications from all communities. Natural England is accredited to the Disability Confident Scheme, which denotes organisations which have a positive attitude towards disabled people. Disabled applicants who meet the minimum requirements for the role at the shortlisting stage are guaranteed an invitation to interview.

If you require a reasonable adjustment at interview, or there is anything else you would like the panel to take into consideration, you should notify us of this at application stage where possible, or well in advance of your interview. We now provide primary interview questions in advance for all formal recruitments.

This vacancy uses competency-based assessment. We'll assess you against the competencies below during the selection process:

• Technical Skills and Knowledge
• Personal Effectiveness
• Work Delivery

When completing the application form you should present relevant examples using the STAR format. Give us an example of how you have demonstrated the competency (which can be work related or from another area of your life) and tell us about the Situation, the specific Task you had to undertake, the specific Actions you took, and the Result (both immediate and in a wider context) of your Action.

Please note that STAR format is not required when answering the Technical Skills & Knowledge competency.

Examples should be given in no more than 250 words for each competency.

Please be aware that we reserve the right for roles that receive a high volume of applications to initially sift applications for one competency only.

If you are successful at the shortlisting stage, you will be invited to attend an interview via MS Teams or a suitable alternative, where you will be asked to give examples for all competencies as set out in the Job Description.

As with all roles in NE, these roles require office attendance of a minimum of 20% of the working time – one day per week for those who work full time, subject to any reasonable adjustments and/or existing contractual homeworking.

Competencies

Competence 1

Professional competency

Detail

Technical Skills and Knowledge

Description

• Understanding of good practice, ethics, and quality assurance (verification, validation, analytical review) for data analysis. (Essential)
  • Good working knowledge of R and/or Python computer programming language for data science. (Essential)
  • Experience of data analysis, statistics and modelling techniques which could include exploratory data analysis, statistical theory, data visualisation and data science techniques. (Essential)
  • Competent in Git and GitHub for version control, collaborative development, and maintaining reproducible and well-documented code. (Essential)

Competence 2

Professional competency

Detail

Personal Effectiveness

Description

• Use clear and appropriate language, communication styles and techniques that engage your audience (Basic)
  • Apply new technology to improve the way we deliver our work (Practitioner)

Competence 3

Professional competency

Detail

Work Delivery

Description

• Manage and deliver your work to meet agreed targets and deadlines. (Practitioner)
  • Handle data responsibly, understand your role in good governance, and comply with delegations, policies and procedures. (Practitioner)

Person specification

Please refer to Job Description

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £32,240, Natural England contributes £9,339 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

Please refer to Job Description

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 : Tom Pullen
• Email : thomas.pullen@naturalengland.org.uk
• Telephone : 07717 455559

Recruitment team

• Email : defra-recruitment-enquiries@resourcing.soprasteria.co.uk

Further information

https://networkrecruitment.tal.net/vx/appcentre-7/brand-4/spa-1/candidate/so/pm/1/pl/8/opp/6611-6611-Higher-Data-Scientist-Marine-FTA/en-GB

Attachments

DEF-001h - Candidate Pack Natural England v2.9 Opens in new window (docx, 548kB)