Job Description

Organic Chemistry Technical Specialist - Leeds - 31729

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Organic Chemistry Technical Specialist - Leeds - 31729

Number of jobs available
1
Region
Yorkshire and the Humber
City/Town
Leeds
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP EA OLYMPIA HOUSE LABORATORY, LS12 6DD
Grade
Staff Grade 5
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
41,617
Closing Date:
30/09/2025, 23:55 hours


Job description attachment 1
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Candidate pack
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Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
We don't just talk about diversity; we seek it, embrace it, and live it, for the benefit of our staff, our communities, and our environment. As an organisation we strive to reflect the communities we serve and continue to develop diversity throughout our workforce. We welcome applications from all backgrounds regardless of race, sexual orientation, or religion.



We have an exciting opportunity to join National Monitoring, based at the Leeds Laboratory. If you're passionate about the environment and people, and leadership is part of your career plan this might be the role you are looking for.



We are looking for an enthusiastic, self-motivated individuals to lead and inspire our development of organics chemistry. This is an exciting opportunity to develop your technical leadership skills within a frontline team across both the Leeds and Starcross-based teams.



Your responsibilities will be multi-faceted; working with customers to identify, develop and evolve methodology; to support and direct the development of staff to deliver results and improve productivity, as well as advancing our scientific capabilities and to promote the work of the Monitoring Laboratories to a wider audience.



You will provide technical leadership to the Organics team. Critical to the role will be your ability to achieve results through the decisions you make, solving problems, developing people, oversee technical developments and be at the forefront of maintaining and developing this nationally critical service. Whilst reporting to the Technical Manager, you will work closely with the Team Leader and Laboratory Manager where you will collaborate and coordinate with teams of scientists to support the wider laboratory's organics techniques, maintaining appropriate specialised knowledge in state-of-the-art equipment, technology, and methodology. Occasional travel will be required as well as providing technical advice to internal and external customers.
The team
Monitoring Laboratories is accredited to ISO/IEC17025 with two chemistry sites across the country - Leeds and Starcross, as well as a national fish lab in Brampton. Monitoring Laboratories has a work force of around 170 staff members, and you will be expected to form part of the site management teams and work in close liaison with both the Starcross and Leeds laboratory.
Experience/skills required
Educated to degree level or equivalent, you will have proven experience of working at a senior scientific level within a laboratory setting. You will need to demonstrate both expertise in a wide range of Organics chemistry techniques including GCMS(MS) and LCMS(MS), as well as managing your own professional development.



Excellent knowledge of laboratory quality system and ISO/IEC 17025, method development and results delivery to an exceptional standard, you will be able to demonstrate the proven ability to apply your knowledge and experience to deliver technological and service delivery improvements.



You'll need to demonstrate the key capabilities as defined in the Job Profile which include communication, achieving results, development of people, programmes & project management, delivery of results through others, planning, problem solving and teamwork.
Contact and additional information
Responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident. This may attract an additional payment and full training, and alternative working arrangements will be available to support you with your incident role.



The role is based at Leeds Laboratory and travel for meetings and training nationally will be required.



We use a competency-based recruitment process based around your experiences against competencies and the STAR (Situation, Target, Action, and Result) model is for structuring answers.




Interviews are planned for October and be held Leeds Laboratory.



Any questions, please contact Rob Carter Robert.carter@environment-agency.gov.uk or Steve.moss@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Coaches Others
Description
Describe a situation where you have used coaching skills to develop a team member of colleagues to improve their technical skill
Competence 2
Communicates Effectively
Description
Describe how you have conveyed information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and or writing to managers or customers without technical expertise.
Competence 3
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Describe a situation where in the absence of clear guidance and without reference to your line manager you have taken a decision that enable your work to progress.
Competence 4
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Description
Describe an example of where you have developed or improved either an LC or GC based methodology and an example of an organic substance sample preparation and or extraction methodology.

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. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

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 . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know

for more information.

This Vacancy is closed to applications.