SDA Material safety / Toxicology specialist

Job summary

The Submarine Delivery Agency (SDA) is a part of the Ministry of Defence responsible for the procurement, in-service support, and disposal of the UK’s nuclear submarines. Our work is of unparalleled strategic importance nationally and internationally, ensuring the security of the UK’s continuous at-sea nuclear deterrent (CASD), and delivering some of the most technically complex programmes in defence. At least one of four nuclear-armed submarines, supported by smaller attack submarines, is on patrol at all times: 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

At the SDA, we strive to Support, Deliver and Aspire and put our values at the heart of our recruitment process. We believe that everyone should feel comfortable to be themselves and be supported to do their best work. As part of a diverse and inclusive workforce, our team will find a community to belong to. We believe that, by celebrating different backgrounds and different perspectives, together we’ll achieve the extraordinary.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The The primary delivery location for this position is Bristol, Abbey Wood.

Please note, due to the level of security, this role is reserved for UK nationals only.

Hybrid and flexible working can be considered for this post. Successful candidates are encouraged to discuss options with the recruiting line manager before starting the role.

Job description

Are you passionate about improving safety, and ensuring that materials selected for use on Royal Navy submarines are safe for use in an enclosed environment? Is so we could be looking for you! As a specialist member of the Naval Authority Technology Group (NATG), you will be part of a team responsible for the safe evaluation of chemicals introduced to submarines during design, build and in-service phases of their lifecycles. You will work closely with industry specialists, gaining the opportunity shadow and to become a recognised authority on Occupational Hygiene (OH), Material Toxicology (MT) and Chemical Safety Management (CSM).

You will have the opportunity to peer review specialist safety limits and act as an independent in reviewing continuous exposure limits. You will have experience in safety auditing and be able to support and /or lead on internal safety audit activities. Your role will support the MoD in protecting submariner health, and provide a significant contribution to the success of our mission. In return we will look to develop you further in this unique and specialised role.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by the SDA Recruitment Team. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at[email removed]

Person specification

For this role, we are seeking the following:

• A minimum level NQF in a relevant health and safety discipline (NEBOSH certificate minimum requirement) and able to demonstrate experience in leading on material safety advice.
• Hold or be working towards a relevant professional membership supporting Occupational Hygiene, Toxicology, or other materials safety specialism including COSHH, and be working towards or have achieved a British Occupational Hygiene Society certificate of Operational Competence in Occupational Hygiene (CertOccHyg or ICertOccHyg), or have an expectation to achieve this within six months of assignment.
• Experience relating to biocidal regulations and REACH chemical safety compliance, and hold a relevant lead auditor qualification such as ISO 9001.

Qualifications

A minimum level NQF in a relevant health and safety discipline (NEBOSH certificate minimum requirement)

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Technical skills

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

• Incident reporting and investigation
• Audit and Assurance

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,400, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,834 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%

Discover My Benefits: Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD: https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

This post does not offer any assistance with Relocation Allowances.

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.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

At Sift, you will be assessed on your;

Personal Statement- which should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills, qualifications and past experience meet the essential / desirable requirements for the role.

Behaviours:

• Working together
• Delivering at Pace
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership

Technical:

• Incident reporting and investigation (Expert)
• Audit and Assurance (Practitioner)

At Interview, you will be assessed on;

Personal Statement- which should be a maximum of 1000 words that sets out your motivation for applying and shows how your skills, qualifications and past experience