Job description for Material Science – Hazardous Substances and Restricted Materials

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 contractor across the UK.

What you’ll be doing

• Support derogations, exemptions and disapplications (DEDs) against areas of UK legislation for Defence
• 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

Person specification

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 List

o Engineering Technician (EngTech) or
o Registered Science Technician (RSciTech); or
o Registered Environmental Technician (REnvTech) or
o Chartered Chemist (CChem)

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
• Support for progression
• Huge range of discounts
• Volunteering days
• Enhanced parental leave schemes

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.

Further Information

• Civil Service Recruitment Principles: Recruitment Principles – Civil Service Commission
• Candidate Information Pack: https://bit.ly/DES-Candidate-Information-Pack
• Terms and Conditions: https://bit.ly/DES-Terms-and-Conditions
• Civil Service Code: The Code – Civil Service Commission

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

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.’

Selection process details

Your application will go through the following stages of assessment:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Interview – If you’re invited to interview, you’ll be assessed against the Sift categories (CV Review) 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 relative importance of the assessed competencies as per the hierarchy below:

• 1st: Core Behaviour 1
• 2nd: Core Behaviour 1
• 3rd: Technical Competencies
• 4th: CV Review

In the event of a further tie using the method above, we reserve the right to utilise an additional assessment.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

If you feel that your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance you should contact department via email: DESHR-WSC-PMOCOMPLAINTS@mod.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Recruitment Complaints – Civil Service Commission