Material Science - Hazardous Substances and Restricted Materials in Bristol

Organisation: Defence Equipment & Support

Salary: £37,600 per annum (plus generous benefits)

Grade: Senior Technical Specialist I

Working Pattern: Full time, Part time, Job Share, Flexible Working

Contract Type: Permanent

We offer 25+ days’ holiday, flexible and hybrid working, enhanced parental leave schemes, shopping discounts, and an exceptional employer pension contribution of 28.97%, to help make work work for you.

For security reasons this role is open to sole UK nationals only. A ‘sole UK national’ refers to an individual who holds citizenship solely in the UK, without dual citizenship or nationality from another country. We’re unable to offer visa sponsorship. This role requires you to have lived in the UK for the last 5 years and obtain Security Check (SC) security clearance. Clearance must be obtained without any caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role you’ve been recruited for. If it isn’t obtained, or is obtained but with caveats that prevent you from carrying out the role, any conditional offer made to you will be withdrawn. Obtaining SC security clearance can be a lengthy process, and we reserve the right to withdraw any conditional offer made if the necessary security clearance isn’t obtained within 12 months.

As the technical support within the Hazardous Materials team, you will develop and provide advice on interpretation of hazardous substance and restricted materials legislation, policy and regulation, in support of project and programme activities across all areas of the organisation supporting the delivery of safe and suitable equipment to the Front-Line Commands. You will be working alongside other specialists in the Safety, Specialists and Assurance team, whose remit includes hazardous materials, noise and vibration, dangerous goods and transport, and the information systems for managing hazardous stores. Working closely with internal regulators, statutory authorities, other government departments and other nations’ MODs, the team often takes the lead for these subjects across the whole MOD.

We champion flexible ways of working. Regular in-person attendance is required (this is expected to be approximately 60% of your working week) to promote the benefits of face-to-face collaboration alongside flexibility of hours to support work-life balance and business need. Initially, you may be expected to attend more frequently to familiarise yourselves with the site, the team, and your role. There will also be the opportunity for travel to other sites and contractors across the UK.

Support chemical compliance activities for MOD

• Conduct horizon scanning, identifying and documenting potential and recent legislative changes
• Input into policy formulation for Hazardous Substances and Restricted Materials (HSRM)
• Provide HSRM management advice and guidance
• Maintain and develop suite of HSRM awareness and practitioner level training to DE&S staff

To be successful with your application, you'll need to show that you meet the following essential criteria:

• As a minimum hold one of the below:

• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 6;
• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 4, plus with a Professional body/institution related to your discipline hold current professional registration at the level listed below;
• A Science, Technology, Engineering and/or Mathematics based qualification at RQF Level 3, plus a minimum of 3 further years of relevant professional experience;
• With a Professional body/institution related to your discipline, hold current professional registration at the level listed below, plus a minimum of 3 further years of relevant professional experience.

Professional Registration: These are the minimum levels of professional registration required. For example, holding either Incorporated Engineer or Chartered Engineer in place of Engineering Technician meets the requirement. Note: Alternatives to RQF listed above (which cover England, Wales and Northern Ireland only), are the Scottish SCQF; or an international equivalent qualification, which must be supported by a statement of comparability from UK ENIC.

In addition to the responsibilities above, the following technical competences and behaviours will be assessed at interview:

• Core Behaviour 1: Communicating and Influencing – CSBC3
• Core Behaviour 2: Making Effective Decisions CSBC 3
• Technical Competence 1: ECF_01 Suitable Systems and Systems Thinking - Supervised Practitioner
• Technical Competence 2: ECF_03 Supportable Technical Solutions - Supervised Practitioner

Offered benefits:

• 25 days’ annual leave +1 day a year up to 30 days, 8 bank holidays and a day off for the King’s birthday
• Market-leading average employer pension contribution of 28.97%
• Annual performance-based bonus and recognition awards
• Access to specialist training and funded qualifications

Improving innovation and enriching our culture, diversity of thought is vital to our success. So whether you’re looking for a new opportunity, a next step, or a helping hand as you return from a career break, bring your experiences and help deliver for the defence of tomorrow. Here you’ll find a supportive, family-friendly organisation to be a part of - and if you need any assistance with your application, just let us know.

Any personal data that you provide during the Recruitment process will be treated in accordance with the MOD Privacy Notice.

Disability Confident: Please note as a Disability Confident Leader we want to ensure you receive any reasonable adjustments that you need throughout the recruitment process. If you do require any reasonable adjustments, you can let us know on your online application under the section ‘Please indicate and give details of any reasonable adjustments you may require during the recruitment process.’

Conflicts of Interest: The Ministry of Defence requires all candidates who are successful at interview to declare any outside interests. These declarations will be discussed with successful candidates following the interview process and before a formal offer of employment is made, as some outside interests may not be compatible with MOD civilian roles. This will not, in the majority of cases, prevent employment in MOD, but it is a measure that must be taken to ensure that appropriate mitigations can be put in place to manage any potential, perceived or actual conflicts of interest from the first day of employment.

Selection Process Details: Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

• Pre-sift - We will check that you meet any essential or eligibility criteria that are listed in the Person Specification section of this advert. On your CV, please clearly show how you meet the essential criteria.
• Sift - Your CV will be assessed against the following categories, using a simple numerical scoring system: Key Achievements; Relevant Experience; Applied Knowledge and Skills. Please follow our guidance on CV writing for best chance of success.
• Interview - If you're invited to interview, you'll be assessed against the Sift categories listed above, as well as the Technical Competences and Behaviours listed in the Person Specification section of this advert.

Please Note: In the event of a tied score at interview, the Order of Merit will be distinguished based on the ranking of the assessed behaviours and competencies.

Join an integral part of the UK's Defence and play your part in the procurement and in-service support of all our armed forces’ equipment, from fighter jets, armoured vehicles and aircraft carriers, to clothing, food, and ammunition. If you have the pride, passion and commitment to be part of an exciting organisation at the forefront of supporting our country's armed forces to deliver on operations at home and abroad, then apply online now!

About the Team: Problem solvers. Innovative thinkers. Career returners and switchers. It takes all kinds of people to drive our engineering programmes forward. From cutting-edge engineering to battle-winning technologies, you’ll help equip the UK Armed Forces with the edge to protect our nation. Engineering is the largest department within DE&S – and it’s one of the most fulfilling too. From managing technical risks, engineering resources and services, to defining and assuring best practice, our engineers are exemplars both within our organisation and our industry partners and professional bodies too. Join us and discover where your ambition could lead you.

Please see the MOD Privacy notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

DE&S/SDA and MOD Main internal applicants will need to apply through MyHR Internal Career Portal via the DE&S/SDA jobs tile. This can be found on the MyHR home page. Please ensure you check your junk mail for email notifications from the DE&S/SDA Talent Acquisition Team.