Station Environmental Protection Advisor (SEPA)

Job summary

Do you want to play a part in supporting a vital part of the defence of the UK? Do you have a keen eye for detail, can adapt to constantly changing priorities and have a passion for safety and the environment? If this sounds like you, we have a vacancy for a Station Environmental Protection Advisor (SEPA) who will be responsible for providing assurance to the Station Commander that RAF Boulmer is environmentally compliant, providing Health and Safety advice to personnel. This is a varied and interesting role which covers sites at RAF Boulmer and the Northern Remote Radar Heads (RRHs).

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The successful candidate will be responsible to the Station Health and Safety Officer (SHSO) for:

• Advising and assisting Station Executives in fulfilling their obligations and duties under environmental protection legislation, MOD, Command and Station Policies.
  
  
• Investigate specific environmental protection problems as required and report the results with proposed remedial action through the SHSO and HoE.
  
  
• Maintain and implement the Environmental Management System (EMS) in accordance with JSPs 418 and 816.
  
  
• Manage a program of systematic and planned audits, inspections and surveys to monitor the implementation of H&S and environmental policies, legislation and regulations.
  
  
• The SEPA is also appointed as the Deputy SHSO and is responsible for assisting the SHSO and deputizing for them in their absence. This may involve, but may not be restricted to the following:
  
  
• General management of SHEP office and documentation, to include but not limited to audit reports, policy updates, maintenance of the SHEP manual, SHEP SharePoint sites and Teams channels and Incident/Accident/Near-Miss reporting.
  
  
• Liaison with Local SHEP advisors, Building Custodians, Contractors, External Agencies on SHEP matters.
  
  
• Act as the stations environmental focal point. Maintaining a close liaison and establishing a positive working relationship with regulatory bodies including; Chief Environment and Safety Officer (CESO) RAF, The Local Authority, Natural England, DIO technical specialists, SEPAs on other MOD units, Contractors and the Project Aquatrine Provider.
  
  
• To act as environmental subject matter specialist on the Health & Safety Working Group.
  
  
• Escorting visiting HSE inspectors and attending Station Commanders inspections.
  
  
• Conduct any other associated duty as directed by the SHSO.

Person specification

Essential

• An interest in the environment actively promotes a safety culture which contributes to the Business total safety ethos.
• Strong organisational and IT skills. Competent user of Microsoft Office 365.
• Strong verbal communication, interpersonal and customer service skills.
• Promotes a positive working environment.
• Customer focused and have strong customer service skills.

Desirable Criteria

• NEBOSH General Certificate
• IOSH Managing Safely Certification

If a candidate does not hold the IOSH Managing Safely Certification they must be prepared to obtain the qualifications within 6 months of starting the role:

• Introduction to Environmental Protection
• Environmental Protection Law and Policy
• Environmental Protection waste management
• Environmental Protection Introduction to Utilities Management
• Practical Pollution Training
• Foundation in Environmental Auditing
• Environmental Management System (EMS) implementation

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,740, Ministry of Defence contributes £8,905 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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%

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and working from home as part of a non-contractual hybrid working arrangement. All office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to site capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD workplace, will also count towards this level of office attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this and other flexible working arrangements may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements.

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.

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