Senior Specialist - Chemical Hazard Evaluation - 30105

Senior Specialist - Chemical Hazard Evaluation - 30105

Number of jobs available: 1

Region: National

City/Town: All

Grade: Staff Grade 6

Post Type: Permanent

Role Type: Knowledge & Information Management, Project Delivery, Science

Working Pattern: Full Time, Compressed Hours

Salary Minimum: £52,929

Closing Date: 20/01/2025, 23:55 hours

Security checks level: Basic Check

Job Description

Looking for an exciting opportunity to help identify and evaluate chemicals that pose a danger to the environment? Managing a team of science specialists in our Chemicals Assessment Unit (CAU) and working with colleagues in other government bodies, you will:

1. Evaluate and communicate the level of environmental hazard posed by industrial and consumer chemicals under the UK REACH Regulations and related legislation;
2. Assess the reliability of information provided in, or proposed for, REACH registration dossiers and similar sources;
3. Plan, commission and oversee science projects to prepare for future evaluation activities.

As the Senior Specialist your main task will be to organise our scientific input on Dossier Evaluation and mandatory hazard classification, ensuring that your team has clear objectives and milestones, and the support needed to deliver.

You'll contribute to priority setting, provide quality assurance for your team's work, and support CAU's other evaluation activities as necessary (such as Substance Evaluation, identification of Substances of Very High Concern, and test guideline developments including animal replacement methods).

You'll be comfortable critically reviewing information supplied by the chemical industry and from the academic and grey literature, applying your own knowledge of how and why chemical hazards are assessed, the reliability and applicability of different test methods, developments in New Approach Methodologies and exposure and risk assessment.

You'll develop a network of contacts at organisational, national and international level to help you deliver your goals. Communication is therefore very important, and you'll need clear and concise writing and verbal skills, and ability to adapt your style to suit the audience.

You'll be part of the CAU leadership group, growing your team's expertise in hazard assessment, exposure modelling and data interpretation.

We aspire for inclusivity to thrive in our workforce. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.

The Team

CAU is in the Research part of the Chief Scientist's Group. We provide technical advice to UK Government to deliver the best outcomes for the environment under UK REACH and related legislation. You will lead one of three evaluation teams. CAU also has risk management experts, whose job is to evaluate the control of risks to the environment.

We use evidence, expertise, and innovation to enhance and support delivery, influence policy, legislation, and secure resources.

Experience/Skills Required

You must have at least a first degree in a scientific discipline relevant to the assessment of environmental hazards and risks of chemicals, such as chemistry, biology or environmental science, and either a post-graduate qualification or equivalent relevant work experience.

In your answers to the competency questions, please demonstrate your:

1. Knowledge of environmental hazard assessment and test methods relevant to the UK REACH Regulation, perhaps through technical experience in a regulated industry sector;
2. Ability to analyse a variety of technical documentation, paying attention to detail whilst seeing the big picture to find optimal solutions;
3. Ability to work on your own initiative and to develop effective relationships with others to achieve the best outcomes, with an aptitude for motivating and mentoring;
4. Project management and organisational skills.

Prior experience of people management would be ideal. However, appropriate training will be provided and you'll have a range of development opportunities.

Contact and Additional Information

You'll have an incident management objective in your development plan. We'll support you to find a role to suit your needs and circumstances. Appropriate training will be given.

You'll have an EA Office base location, as a national role the working location is flexible/hybrid.

We use smart tools to stay connected and reduce travel; some travel and overnights may be required.

Please read the Candidate / Additional Information Pack. Any queries, contact steve.dungey@environment-agency.gov.uk

Applications are "blind" assessed using your answers to the competency questions.

Interviews will be held via MS Teams within three weeks of the closing date.

If you consent to being held on a reserve list, we'll hold your details for 6 months and may offer you an alternative post.

Competencies

1. Scientific Knowledge: Applies scientific knowledge to provide sound, science-based evidence to our internal and external customers.
2. Delivers Results Through Others: Harnesses the team to deliver results on time, to required standards and in line with organisational processes and procedures.
3. Communicates Effectively: Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing.
4. Takes Decisions and Solves Problems: Finds and delivers optimal solutions by effectively analysing all the information, probing to develop alternatives and taking sound and timely decisions.

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.

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.