Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Gosport About the job Job summary Are you a chemist looking for an opportunity to develop your analytical skills in a new and challenging role? Would you enjoy working in a unique environment providing analysis and support to the Royal Navy and armed forces worldwide? This post offers that opportunity The work of the team is mainly the analysis of water samples from a range of sources, as well as maintenance of the equipment, development of new methods, and work in support of the laboratorys Quality System. The work is carried out in an ISO 17025 accredited environment and would suit someone with good attention to detail who is methodical and able to work accurately and consistently to detailed scientific procedures. The Institute of Naval Medicine is the Royal Navy's centre of excellence for occupational health advice, information, training and research. Working in the Environmental and Industrial Hazards Laboratory you will support a team of scientific specialists providing high quality scientific analysis and advice to the Royal Navy and other UK armed services. The successful candidate will also be expected, if required, to assist in the Environmental and Industrial Hazards submarine sea-trials and hazardous materials response teams. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. Job description The Institute of Naval Medicine provides scientific and medical support to improve the health and safety of the Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces. The unique opportunities offered within are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Commands role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future. Navy Command provides an open, flexible, and supportive work environment where Civil Servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines from finance, legal services, science, personnel and HR, project planning and managing contracts, to media and communications. The successful candidate will work in a UKAS accredited laboratory as part of a team of 6 chemists, within a wider team of approximately 20 specialists, providing analytical support and advice to the Royal Navy and armed forces. The primary role of the chemistry laboratory is the analysis of potable water samples and other environmental samples for the protection and ongoing health monitoring of the armed services. The successful candidate will be responsible for the routine preparation & analysis of samples, Quality Control and data processing of results and issue of reports. Other duties include equipment maintenance and investigation, general laboratory upkeep, follow-up of non-conforming work and other actions resulting from the Quality System. As an accredited laboratory we conduct internal audits, and you will have the opportunity to join this team and contribute to this crucial task which is key to maintaining the quality of the laboratorys output. The secondary element of the role is membership of the hazardous materials response, and submarine trials teams. In these teams you will work alongside military and civilian personnel ashore and at sea, including deploying on submarines, to conduct surveys, audits, investigations, and training. These roles require travel within the UK and overseas. This is a multifaceted, exciting, and rewarding analytical chemistry role that has genuine impact for UK Defence. It is an excellent opportunity to learn from a team of highly experienced and enthusiastic analysts and would appeal to anybody wanting to develop and apply their skills in both a routine laboratory and field setting. Recent laboratory experience is desirable, however full training will be provided in all aspects of the role. Duties and Responsibilities While the primary role is laboratory based, the successful applicant may be required to undertake further training to deliver field work in the UK and overseas, on land, air and maritime operations (including submarines) upon completion of training for the primary role. Key responsibilities include: Working within an ISO 17025 accredited environment to carry out analysis to a high standard in accordance with the laboratory Quality System Undertaking analysis of water and other samples using documented analytical methods and ensuring that all work is carried out to the requirements of the Quality System including successful participation in external quality assurance schemes Assisting in the maintenance of the laboratory Quality System, including method development and validation, monitoring and continuous improvement of processes, internal auditing, and management of non-conforming work Ensuring that stocks of necessary materials are maintained Maintaining and developing technical expertise in all aspects of the chemistry laboratorys work including a working knowledge of relevant legislation and military policy Delivering training to service personnel, especially in sampling techniques and potable water topics Other laboratory tasks as required such as sample receipt, sample kit preparation and laboratory housekeeping Delivery of the SATT role, encompassing: Undertaking submarine trials (Atmosphere Control Acceptance Tests and Submarine Atmosphere Investigations). Undertaking Atmosphere Control Equipment Audits (ACE) Delivery of training to Royal Navy personnel on submarine courses Deliver the role of HEPO, as part of an on-call duty commitment, to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials, associated exercises, and training delivery Once competence is achieved, delivery of the SATT and HEPO roles may attract additional allowances. Person specification The successful candidate will be focused and dedicated to producing a high quality of work. You must be able to work independently with minimum supervision, making decisions regarding your own work and priorities, and be a considerate team worker, offering or providing help to other team members when required. While the primary role is laboratory based, the successful applicant may be required to undertake further training to deliver field work in the UK and overseas, on land, air and maritime operations (including submarines) upon completion of training for the primary role. This role requires the capability to traverse performing activities such as climbing steep ladders and accessing awkward compartments. A full UK driving licence is essential for the SATT and HEPO roles. Desirable criteria As the post is primarily routine laboratory analysis, 12 months recent laboratory experience is desirable, preferably of an analytical nature Experience of organic and inorganic analytical techniques including GC-MS, IC, ICP-MS and ICP-OES. Experience of working in an ISO 17025 accredited environment Qualifications Degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline. Licences A full UK driving licence (Category B) Licences Full UK driving licence (Category B) Qualifications Degree in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline. Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Delivering at Pace Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Applying scientific and technical knowledge Understanding and complying with statutory requirements and standards Overseeing the technical work of others We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form: Applying scientific and technical knowledge Benefits Alongside your salary of £29,580, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,569 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 employer contribution of 28.97% Please note: Travel for the interview will not be reimbursed. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, experience and Technical skills. Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience. Personal Statement: Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability. At sift, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Technical - Applying scientific and technical knowledge At interview, you will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours/Technical Skills: Working Together Delivering at Pace Understanding and complying with statutory requirements and standards Overseeing the technical work of others Candidates will be required to complete an online Numerical and Civil Service Judgement test. The Civil Service Judgement Test is not bankable and therefore must be taken on every vacancy where it is applied. Should you be invited to complete the online tests, please allow sufficient time to complete the tests and the remainder of the full application form; only candidates who are successful at the test stage will be invited to complete the remainder of the application by clicking Submit Application. Your application must be completed by 23:55 on the closing date of the vacancy. Late submissions cannot be accepted. The tests are not timed, as they work by giving you harder questions if you answer the previous question correctly, and easier if you get it wrong. You should allow up to an hour for each test, and each test must be completed before you will be invited to complete the second part of your application. Internet access will be required for the duration of the test. Please refer to the attached Candidate Guidance for further information. Candidates that reach the minimum required pass mark will have their results saved as a banked score against the following tests: New Civil Service Verbal Test New Civil Service Numerical Test When a candidate has a banked score theyre not asked to re-take the same test providing it is set at the same level. Scores will be banked for a 6 month period from the date of test completion. If a candidate is invited to take the same test against multiple vacancies, the banked score will be recognised against all vacancies and all active applications will progress. CSJT scores cannot be banked as each test is generated from the behaviours required for a specific role which will vary between recruitment campaigns. If you require any particular arrangements (for example due to a disability or health problem) to be made in order for you to complete the online test you MUST contact the DBS Enquiry Centre on 0800 345 7772 BEFORE accessing the online test. Opening times Mon -Friday 0800- 1600 hrs. When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Candidates will be called for interview at the Institute of Naval Medicine, dependant upon meeting sift criteria. This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours. The candidates should be aware that the examples provided for the behaviours should ideally be in the "STAR" format (Situation, Task, Action, Result). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements Open to UK nationals only. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. 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 : Samuel Lea Email : samuel.lea103mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: infocsc.gov.uk. Attachments Candidate Information Opens in new window (docx, 31kB) Defence Civil Servant Offer Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB) Navy Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 2922kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail