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SalaryEnvironmental Public Health Scientist - Extreme Events and Health Protection
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The salary will depend on the candidate’s location.
Permanent Contract
Environmental Public Health Scientist – Centre for Climate and Health Security
The Environmental Public Health Scientist will be appointed to provide robust evidenced based science on health impacts of adverse weather events to support timely and effective evidence generation, innovation, Public Health advice and guidance, policy and decision making. You will Develop, plan, and undertake complex scientific research and development within the scope listed above, as well as manage junior staff and where appropriate postgraduate students, and work with Specialty Registrars when on attachment as appropriate. As well as this the post holder will Communicate the details and outcome of the work through seminars, conferences, and training courses. You will be responsible for Contributing to the emergency response operations and environmental hazards training arranged by the Division as well as the emergency preparedness of UKHSA.
The Centre for Climate and Health Security (CCHS) is an UKHSA initiative that offers scientific advice and support to partners at local, national and international levels.
The Extreme Events and Health Protection (EEHP) team is part of the CCHS and focuses on the UKHSA’s national health security work for adverse weather events. The EEHP team covers climate change adaptation and Health system resilience.
Location
The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working – this means that whilst the role will be based in one of our offices, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. UKHSA have office locations across the UK.
- Role available at all core and scientific locations with home working available
Birmingham, Leeds, Liverpool, London, Porton Down, Colindale, Chilton or home working subject to approval
You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy.
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
PLEASE NOTE: Each pay scale has a minimum and maximum rate and the pay scales for each grade depends on the geographical location of your role (Three pay zones Inner London, Outer London, National)
Working Pattern – Full Time, Part Time, Job Share, Flexible Working, Hybrid Working,
Your main responsibilities will include:
Scientific research:
• Develop, plan and carry out complex scientific studies of high quality to contribute to externally funded contract work and core research activities, particularly to develop and update the Adverse Weather and Health Plan: supporting evidence
• To critically analyse and collate the results of theoretical assessments, draw conclusions and make recommendations for the way forward.
• To act as a specialist point of reference within EEHP on health impacts from extreme event science as required.
• The work could involve determinations of the type and levels of physical effects in particular circumstances, risk assessments in scenarios involving protection of medical patients and members of the public, or studies to evaluate the feasibility of performing particular experimental protocols.
• To undertake relevant organisation and administration work as required.
Publication and communication:
• Contribute to the publication of the Adverse Weather and Health Plan: supporting evidence
• Write and edit research papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and contract reports.
• Collaborate with other national and international experts to obtain relevant technical information, discuss ideas, describe work developments and progress etc.
• Participate in scientific meetings and conferences, presenting papers describing research activities. These may be at internal (UKHSA), national, European or international events.
• Disseminate information and knowledge gathered from participation at workshops, meetings, seminars and conferences to colleagues.
Training:
• To contribute to teaching/training programmes on environmental issues associated with area of expertise in support of EEHP and other UKHSA training courses, in particular:
o To present formal lectures on scheduled courses.
o To contribute to professional level training courses, provided to Public Health and other professionals, including other UKHSA staff.
o To review any training materials and provide critical review to improve training outcomes.
• To develop teaching material and courses Health Protection
• To provide written and verbal advice and provide information to the professional stakeholders, members of the public and others on Extreme Events and other environmental issues as appropriate.
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.
Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):
Essential
• Post-graduate degree in Public Health, environmental science, climate change or equivalent With Experience of undertaking research and development and a high-level experience in relevant discipline i.e. environmental hazards, Public Health
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing as well as the ability to prepare and produce concise yet insightful communications for dissemination to senior stakeholders and a broad range of stakeholders as required
• Ability to write guidance material for the public and professionals, communicate scientific information on environmental risks to non-specialists and to identify scientific issues and undertake comprehensive literature reviews
• Demonstrated capability to act upon incomplete information, using experience to make inferences and decision making and the technical competence in analysing data coupled with good numerate abilities
• Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans and resource requirements accordingly as well as capabilities to manage own workload and make informed decisions in the absence of required information, working to tight and often changing timescales
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable
• Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation.
• Ability to assess novel situations and applications by applying fundamental scientific principles to understand and identify potential hazards.
Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefits
• 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 average employer contribution of 27%
• Range of health and wellbeing support
Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – please do provide evidence of how you meet this.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview by video.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 10 minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview.
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
• Working Together
• Managing a quality service
• Making effective decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and improving
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 23rd February 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Shortlist: 1st March 2024
Interviews: w/c 11th March 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)
Nationality requirements
Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK Nationals of the Republic of Ireland Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.
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.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.
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. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.
For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Please Note
This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.
Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/
Complaint process:
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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@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.
