Job summary
UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) prevents, prepares for and responds to infectious diseases and environmental, radiological and chemical hazards, to keep all our communities safe, save lives and protect livelihoods.
We provide scientific and operational leadership, working with local, national and international partners to protect the public's health and build the nation's health security capability.
Main duties of the job
UKHSA is an executive agency, sponsored by the Department of Health and Social Care.
The primary roles/functions for this position 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
About us
Location
Flexible locations across Chilton, Glasgow or Leeds. (Full, clean UK driving licence required)
The posts are based at our three sites on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire, Glasgow and Cookridge, Leeds, which offer ample free parking and are close to a wide range of amenities.
With potential for flexible hybrid working as agreed by line manager and according to business needs.
Addresses:
Harwell Campus, Chilton, OX11 0RQ / 155 Hardgate Road, Glasgow, G51 4LS / Oak Park LaneCookridge, Leeds LS16 6RW
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Working Pattern -Full Time
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
- Range of health and wellbeing support
- 26 days annual leave allowance increasing to 32 days after a 10-year service
Job description
Job responsibilities
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 job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- 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, (eg 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
(Please see the job description for a full list of duties)
Job description
Job responsibilities
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 job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- 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, (eg 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
(Please see the job description for a full list of duties)
Person Specification
Essential/Desirable Criteria
Essential
- A good honours degree in a scientific subject, or, equivalent experience plus substantive experience in operational radiation and A-levels in science/maths
- 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 assess novel situation and applications by applying fundamental scientific principles to understand and identify potential hazards
- Ability to observe and question to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues
- Ability to critically analyse working practices and propose and implement changes
- Demonstrate capability to act upon incomplete information using experience to make inferences and decision making
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing to customers, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations
- Ability to put forward cohesive arguments and influence people
- Ability to chair small working groups etc
- 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
- 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 driving licence required
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable
- MSc (or equivalent), or experience in directing and managing a specific commercial service or area of work
- Membership of professional body, eg Society for Radiological Protection
- Certificated Radioactive Waste Adviser
- Certificated Medical Physics Expert
- Certificated Laser Protection Adviser
Person Specification
Essential/Desirable Criteria
Essential
- A good honours degree in a scientific subject, or, equivalent experience plus substantive experience in operational radiation and A-levels in science/maths
- 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 assess novel situation and applications by applying fundamental scientific principles to understand and identify potential hazards
- Ability to observe and question to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues
- Ability to critically analyse working practices and propose and implement changes
- Demonstrate capability to act upon incomplete information using experience to make inferences and decision making
- Ability to communicate effectively at all levels, formally, informally, orally and in writing to customers, UKHSA staff and representatives from other organisations
- Ability to put forward cohesive arguments and influence people
- Ability to chair small working groups etc
- 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
- 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 driving licence required
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Desirable
- MSc (or equivalent), or experience in directing and managing a specific commercial service or area of work
- Membership of professional body, eg Society for Radiological Protection
- Certificated Radioactive Waste Adviser
- Certificated Medical Physics Expert
- Certificated Laser Protection Adviser
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
