Job Description

Scientist - 31421

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Scientist - 31421

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 4
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Analytical, Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
33,000
Closing Date:
10/08/2025, 23:55 hours


Job description attachment 1
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Candidate pack
Candidate Pack - 31421.docx - 2042KB Opens in a new window


Converted File Candidate Pack - 31421.docx.pdf - 718KB Opens in a new window
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.




The Environment Agency's Monitoring Laboratories are accredited to ISO/IEC17025 and include 3 sites across the country - Leeds, Brampton and Starcross. This role is based at our Leeds site, which analyses a variety of environmental samples from fresh water to contaminated land samples. We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated person with the relevant experience to join the team based at the Leeds laboratory. You will be directly contributing to the Environment Agency's core responsibilities whilst working in a small team carrying out analysis.



Your main duties will include:



Working within and supporting a team in delivering a high-quality analytical service to defined time, cost and quality targets. Improving existing methods and develop new ones when required. Analysing samples using a variety of extraction techniques and state of the art instrumentation. Identifying root causes and rectifying technical issues using your knowledge and problem-solving skills. Ensuring Health and Safety procedures are adhered to at all times. Training, supporting and developing less experienced members of the team. Ensuring all work meets the high-quality standards expected of an ISO17025 accredited laboratory.


This role will be on a Monday to Friday work pattern. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training and support to identify an appropriate role which suits their personal circumstances.
The team
You'll be working within a small team alongside approximately 50 other Analytical staff and 8 Customer Services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of sediments, soils, biota and waters from across England and around the coastline, as well as offering a bespoke Forensic Waste Service. If you'd like to know a bit more about our work, please look at our website.

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about
Experience/skills required
Essential:



Experience of working in an analytical laboratory, focussed on Organic chemistry with a good knowledge of analytical techniques. Experience and a good understanding of GC-MS and LC-MS. Good communication skills are essential to allow you to work closely with your team and other teams on site. Able to work to tight deadlines and have an ability to prioritise workload, while adhering to strict quality criteria. Problem solving skills, preferably in a lab environment. Experience of working within a quality standard or within a UKAS accredited chemistry laboratory accredited to ISO/IEC 17025 or equivalent.


Desirable:



Experience of training others. Educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject.


You will need to demonstrate the key capabilities as defined in the job profile. We encourage you to refer to the EA Capability dictionary to assist you with your application.
Contact and additional information
The role will be based at the laboratory in Leeds, it is a non-hybrid role and there will be no travel requirements.




You'll be welcomed into the team and given the training and support you need to succeed in your role. All EA employees are expected to participate in incident response and will receive relevant training. We support flexible working hours and practices to help strike a good balance between work and personal life. You'll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other benefits.



For further information, please download the candidate pack. Please note, we will aim to hold interviews on site within 4 weeks of the advert closing date.



If you have any questions contact peter.maddison@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Coaches Others
Description
As part of your role you will be required to assist the Team leader in developing the knowledge and skills of the wider Organics team. This will involve using a variety of methods including direct instruction, coaching and feedback skills to help others to develop.




Please describe a time where you have coached someone, describe the methods you used to develop their skills and knowledge and how you knew your coaching was effective.
Competence 2
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
Description
Describe a time when you have improved an existing method/process without compromising quality. What initiated the changes, what improvements took place and how did the business benefit from these improvements?
Competence 3
Achieves Results
Description
As part of your role you may experience several conflicting deadlines and you will be required to plan your own work, and maybe that of your team, to ensure timely delivery of results while ensuring the quality is not compromised.



Please tell us of a time when you have had several conflicting deadlines at work. How did you plan and prioritise the tasks to best meet these deadlines. Include details of all your considerations and the actions you took to achieve the best outcome.

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.