Job Description

Waste Scientist - 33063

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Waste Scientist - 33063

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
Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
34,320
Closing Date:
01/02/2026, 23:55 hours


Job description attachment 1
TSS04 Technical & Scientific Services, Grade 4


Candidate pack
Candidate Pack - 33063.docx - 2043KB Opens in a new window


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Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
If you're an analytical scientist with a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We're looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced scientist to come join us in our Monitoring Laboratory based in Leeds. You'll be responsible for supervising a small team carrying out on site waste sampling in the field and analysis of the waste samples back in the laboratory.


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.


Your main duties will include:-

Work as part of a team, motivate and develop staff to provide a world class service. Act as a technical lead within your department, responsible for ensuring samples are collected following strict procedures to provide high quality data. Use your knowledge and problem-solving skills to make sound decisions in the field to ensure samples are taken properly and all team members are kept safe. Promote health, safety and wellbeing ensuring the provision of safe working practices in line with Environment Agency guidance. Clearly communicate with customers, other team members and management to provide situational updates. Continually develop your knowledge of sampling procedures and classification of waste in order to meet the objectives of each case. Provide laboratory analysis of the samples collected in the field to provide high quality data for the Environment Agency.

The team
You'll be working within a small team alongside approximately 65 other Analytical staff and 10 Customer Services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers which includes the analysis of environmental samples from across England and around the coastline and provide a bespoke Forensic Waste Service. If you'd like to know a bit more about our work please take a look at our website.


https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/environment-agency/about



Experience/skills required
Through experience to date you will ideally be able to demonstrate the following:

Working in an analytical laboratory to UKAS standard, with an in-depth knowledge of analytical techniques and instrumentation in the field of environmental analysis, preferably within the waste industry. Experience of sampling within the waste industry or landfill sites and understand the challenges of field-based working. Supervision of a technical or scientific team, including the development and training of others. Excellent communication skills are essential with the ability to convey complex information. Ability to problem solve and work within tight timescales and to strict quality criteria. Experience/knowledge of WM3, waste classification - guidance on the classification of waste would be an advantage. Experience of analysis used to classify waste samples. Ideally you will be educated to at least degree level or equivalent in a relevant subject. Full, clean, UK driving licence

Contact and additional information
You'll be welcomed into the team and given all the training and support you need to succeed in your new role.


We support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between your work and personal life. You'll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other employee benefits.


You will be based at the Leeds Laboratory but will be required to go out sampling and stay away from home a few nights per month.


Our Leeds laboratory is well served by public transport links; we have secure bike pods and free staff parking on site as well as a brand-new staff canteen.


If you have any questions, please contact the hiring manager: Toni.Webster@environment-agency.gov.uk.


Competence 1
Communicates Effectively
Description
Tell me about a time when you have communicated with a customer/management team to set their expectations and kept them up to date with progress.
Competence 2
Manages Self
Description
Tell me about how you have developed your capability in the field of sampling and waste analysis.
Competence 3
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Description
Tell us about your knowledge and experience in waste analysis and sampling and demonstrated your commitment to following procedures so that data and evidence is of the highest quality.
Competence 4
Health Safety & Wellbeing
Description
Tell me about your experiences of when you have had to interpret health and safety requirements to keep you and others safe in a laboratory and waste sampling environment.
Role specific license requirements
Full, Clean, UK Driving Licence

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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the

Civil Service Careers website

. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.