Job responsibilities
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 RCEs 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 UKHSAs 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.
