Job Description

The job holder will lead the work of a topic group of radiation protection specialists and radiation protection scientists who collectively focus on a particular area of radiation protection work. This will involve the development of internal policy and guidance on scientific and technical aspects of the work in addition to co-ordinating smooth service delivery, with emphasis on occupational exposure, patient exposure and exposures to members of the public.

The primary roles/functions are:

The provision of commercial radiation protection services to a wide range of clients, advising on and assisting with regulatory compliance and implementation of effective safety management programmes for work with ionising and non-ionising radiations. This is achieved through visits to client premises, situation analysis/risk assessment and the preparation of persuasive and authoritative reports



Contribution to the development and delivery of radiation protection training services, including acting as course manager for training courses



Responding to enquiries on a wide range of radiation protection issues from the public, industry and local and national agencies



Responding to radiation events and incidents on behalf of commercial clients



Support and contribute to UKHSA's emergency response role for radiological incidents and, when required, non-radiological events



Training and supervising new and less experienced staff in RPA and RWA/LPA/MPE and other related activities



Supporting UKHSA activities relating to the development of standards, legislation etc with respect to operational radiation protection issues



Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.



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.



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



Technical and scientific



To lead the work of a topic group of radiation protection specialists and radiation protection scientists who collectively focus on a particular area of radiation protection work. This will involve the development of internal policy and guidance on scientific and technical aspects of the work in addition to co-ordinating smooth service delivery, with emphasis on occupational exposure, patient exposure and exposures to members of the public.

Duties include:

Leading scientific, technical and professional development for a particular area of radiation protection work, including development of internal policy and guidance, and ensuring written advice is of high quality



Identifying, prioritising, leading and coordinating scientific and technical development needs for a particular area of radiation protection work



Significant input into national standards, (e.g. drafting publications recommending revised national DRLs for patient exposure, involvement in development of guidance/protocols for emergent technologies, presentations at conferences) and input into international standards (eg commentary on draft revised standards, reviews of draft papers)



Responsibility for all relevant equipment and facilities



Financial responsibility for the income and expenditure in relation to the particular area of radiation protection work including preparation of bids for capital and revenue budgets and monitoring expenditure



To act as a radiation protection adviser (RPA) and at least one of radioactive waste adviser (RWA), laser protection adviser (LPA) or medical physics expert (MPE) in support of RCE's radiation protection consultancy services.



To provide expert advice on compliance with all relevant radiation safety legislation, which may include novel interpretation of complex legal requirements



To develop, plan and conduct complex radiation safety audits at clients' premises



To critically examine and analyse newly installed equipment capable of emitting ionising radiation



To give expert advice on the decommissioning of facilities where radioactive materials have been used



To act as a specialist point of reference, providing expert advice on the design of new facilities and techniques where radiation is used



Radiation protection training



Contributing to the development and delivery of scheduled and customised training courses at occupational and professional levels, including courses provided to senior radiation protection professionals



To contribute to the development and training of developing RCE RPA and RWA/LPA/MPE staff through practical demonstration and instruction in the application of legislation, the use of radiation monitoring equipment, contamination control, and restriction of exposure. This will include checking the written work of developing and certificated RPAs and RWAs or LPAs or MPEs in accordance with the UKHSA RPA Body QA protocols



Health protection



To provide written and verbal advice on protection of the public from radiation hazards and provide information to the public and others on radiological issues as appropriate



Participation in scientific meetings and conferences, presenting papers on radiation protection matters. These may be at internal (UKHSA), national or international level. Disseminate information and knowledge gathered from participation at workshops, seminars and conferences to colleagues



Emergency response



To participate in emergency response to incidents where UKHSA has a response role, in particular:



To participate in UKHSA's emergency response to radiological incidents, including terrorist incidents, as co-ordinator of environmental and personnel monitoring or leader of a radiation monitoring unit deployed for mass screening of contaminated populations



To lead, the response to radiological incidents involving commercial RPA clients



Essential Criteria



Honours degree in a scientific subject (for example, physics, chemistry, biology) or equivalent, or equivalent substantive experience in operational radiation



A-levels in science and maths (Grade C or above), or equivalent



Certificated Radiation Protection Adviser



Proven experience in operational radiation protection with evidence of particular expertise in one or more areas of interest



Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation



Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing to customers, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations



Demonstrated capability to plan over short, medium and long-term timeframes and adjust plans



High degree of self-motivation and the ability to motivate others, along with high personal integrity



Well-developed capability with basic software tools (eg MS Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Teams etc)



Must be willing and able to travel within the UK and abroad in support of UKHSA on national and international activities.



Full, clean UK driving licence



An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships



Selection Criteria



This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1:

Application & Sift



You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria that have been selected from the job description, and this will be in the form of a:



Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)



1000 word Statement of Suitability.



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



The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.



Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting:

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



Meets all essential criteria



Meets some essential criteria



Meets no essential criteria



Please note only those applications meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:



Proven experience in operational radiation protection with evidence of particular expertise in one or more areas of interest



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



Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.



Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:

Interview



You will be invited to a remote interview.



Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.



There will be a presentation at interview. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview.



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 one of our labs in either Chilton (Oxforshire), Glasgow or Leeds.



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).



Eligibility Criteria



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



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 Counter-terrorist Check clearance.



For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.