Health Physicists

Location

Dstl Alverstoke, Gosport

About the job

Summary

The Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division (CBR) of Dstl provides an integrated Chemistry, Biology, Radiation and Medical Sciences capability, delivering technical services, scientific research, advice and consultancy, and an emergency response capability in support of UK Defence and Security.

This is an exciting opportunity for 2 health physicists to join our Radiation Sciences Group at Dstl Level 6 ( Grade 7) and Dstl Level 5 (SEO) to work within a team of experienced radiation protection specialists providing radiation protection services to a wide range of military and civilian stakeholders and customers (including commercial customers).

We offer excellent training and personal development opportunities that make these roles particularly suited to individuals who may have embarked on a career in radiation protection in a specific sector but now want to broaden their experience and the range of work they undertake.

Job description

As a Dstl Level 6 your key responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:

Technical:

To be a Radiation Protection Adviser (RPA) and, if/when qualified, Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA) in direct support to Dstl, military, defence and civilian stakeholders/customers (including commercial).

To be able to act as a Project Technical Authority for customer projects working alongside a Project Manager (PM) throughout the planning, execution and closure of a project as the primary focus for the project technical design, technical leadership and advice.

Supporting the development and implementation of MOD policies on Radiation and Environmental Protection, working within the structure of the Dstl RPA Body.

Radiation Protection Training:

Preparation/delivery of training materials, lecture and lead on practical exercises on radiation training courses.

To develop, supervise and train Dstl health physicists who have not attained RPA certification, in particular; to coach/mentor RPDP trainees and assist in the delivery of training modules.

Emergency Response:

Following appropriate training you will provide senior responsible level support as a member of the Dstl Radiation and Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation for a wide range of defence and security emergency and operational response arrangements.

You will also be required to act in an on call roster at appropriate times.

As a Dstl Level 5; the following are areas that you can expect to support as part of your role:

Technical:

Planning and conducting Radiation Protection Adviser visits at customers sites, to report the findings of the visits both verbally on site and later in writing, and to make recommendations for actions and improvements to the customer.

Undertaking safety examinations of newly installed equipment capable of emitting ionising radiation including the assessment of radiation levels, and the standard and suitability of controls and radiation safety equipment.

Providing radiation protection advice on the safe storage, transport and disposal of radioactive materials.

Radiation Protection Training:

Preparation/delivery training materials, lecture and lead practical exercises on radiation training courses.

Mentor/coach, trainees on our internal Radiation Protection Development programme.

Emergency Response:

Following a period of training you will provide specialist health physics support as a member of the Dstl Radiation and Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation, participating in training and demonstration exercises, and undertake continuing professional development in the wide ranging emergency response arrangements supported.

You will also be required to act in an on call roster at appropriate times.

Responsibilities

As a Dstl Level 6 you will have:

Extensive experience of advising on the operational implementation of the Ionising Radiations Regulations and other relevant and associated legislation and guidance.

A certificate of competence as an RPA under RPA2000.

Certification as a Radioactive Waste Adviser (RWA) is desirable.Experience of the strategic implementation of new radiation legislation or safety/environmental initiatives,

Confidence in leading and/or managing others and the ability to work in a team.

Experience of leading or introducing policy change across an organisation or business area.

Knowledge of industrial radiography issues, radon and NORM, and the use of radiation sources contained in common equipment utilised in industry and the defence sector. Experience of contributing to business and technical planning.

As a Dstl Level 5 you will have :

Experience of operational radiation protection work.

Evidence of providing training in radiation protection to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Been working towards/or is a successful RPA2000/RWA Certificate Holder.

Licences

Full driving license. The role will be based at the Alverstoke site but will regularly require travel to/working at remote customer sites, where public transport may not be available.

Qualifications

Degree qualified in a Maths, Science, Engineering or other related discipline, with a Post Graduate specialist qualification in Radiation Protection/Health Physics OR extensive experience within the nuclear/radiation physics industry.

Memberships

Membership of Professional body, e.g. Society for Radiological Protection, Institute of Physics.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Seeing the Big Picture

Changing and Improving

Leadership

Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Dstl Level 6 : Extensive experience of advising on the practical and strategic implementation of the Ionising Radiations Regulations and other associated legislation and guidance. A deep specialist or wide knowledge of Radiation Protection is requi

Dstl Level 5: Demonstrable experience of interpreting and complying with legislative requirements associated with nuclear and/or radiation operations (e.g. IRR17, REPPIR, EPR16). Demonstrable experience of providing operational health physics advice

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including:

Fully flexible working, including alternative working patterns, annualised hours, compressed hours and job share, to name a few.

Flexible Working hours, a 12 month reference period and the ability to bank hours. Up to 20 hours can be taken in any calendar month.

Excellent learning and development to ensure everyone fulfils their potential.

Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.

Chartership and accreditation support.

Pension.

Generous annual leave, with the ability to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year.

A competitive salary.

Onsite gyms and restaurants.

Staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out.

Our Diversity Networks

DSTL recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution. We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work.

These include the following:

Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network

Faith and Culture Network

Parents and Carer Support Network

Alternative Working Network

Gender Equality Network

New Starters Network

Enabled Network, for people with visible and non-visible disabilities

For further information about DSTL please check out our LinkedIn page 

Things you need to know

Security

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 security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence in their application of meeting the minimum essential requirements of the post, set out in the job description. You will be asked to indicate if you are applying under this scheme when you submit your application.

Your application will be assessed by the hiring manager matching the evidence you have provided in your CV against the criteria in the vacancy details and the attached job description. Those who score the highest mark will be invited to come to an interview.

During the interview you will need to provide a 10 minute presentation to demonstrate how you meet the technical skills detailed for the role you are being interviewed for.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

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.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : Dstl Recruitment Team

Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.