Scientist, Environmental Compliance, Environmental Science

DEFRA GRP EA OLYMPIA HOUSE LABORATORY, LS12 6DD

If you’re an analytical scientist with a passion for the natural environment this is an exciting opportunity for you. We’re looking for an enthusiastic, motivated and experienced scientist to come join us in our Monitoring Laboratory based in Leeds. You’ll be responsible for supervising an expanding team carrying out asbestos analysis and support the Agency with its response to the increase in illegal waste sites.

We really do value a diverse workforce. We want to be an organisation that represents modern Britain and all the communities we serve. We want everybody to feel included, fairly treated and duly recognised for the contribution they make.

Your main duties will include:

• Supervise a small team, motivate and develop staff to provide a world‑class service.
• Act as the technical lead for asbestos analysis in the laboratory.
• Monitor and improve the flow of asbestos samples through the laboratory.
• Use your knowledge and problem‑solving skills to make sound decisions that will improve the capacity and quality of the team and its work.
• Promote health, safety and wellbeing ensuring the provision of safe working practices in line with Environment Agency guidance.
• Clearly communicate with customers, other team members and management around asbestos issues at the laboratory.
• Continually develop your knowledge of asbestos legislation and classification of wastes containing asbestos.
• Provide laboratory analysis of samples collected in the field to provide high‑quality data for the Environment Agency.
• Provide evidence and statements to support Environment Agency waste enforcement work.

You’ll be working within a small team alongside approximately 80 other analytical staff and 10 customer services colleagues. We provide analytical services to the Environment Agency and external customers, which includes the analysis of environmental samples from across England and around the coastline and provides a bespoke forensic waste service.

Through experience to date you will ideally be able to demonstrate the following:

• Working in an analytical laboratory to UKAS standard, with an in‑depth knowledge of analytical techniques in the field of environmental asbestos analysis.
• Supervision of a small team of asbestos analysts, including the development and training of other asbestos analysts.
• Excellent communication skills are essential with the ability to convey complex information.
• Ability to problem‑solve and work within tight timescales and to strict quality criteria.
• Experience/knowledge of working with asbestos legislation – HSG
  248 and Lab
  30.
• At least 5 years’ experience of working in a high‑throughput asbestos laboratory and the ability to embed those efficiencies within our laboratory.
• Ideally you will be educated to a relevant degree level.
• Must hold a P401 qualification.

We support flexible working hours and practices to help you strike a good balance between your work and personal life. You’ll have access to a Local Government Pension scheme as well as a host of other employee benefits. Our Leeds laboratory is well served by public transport links; we have secure bike pods and free staff parking on site as well as a brand‑new staff canteen.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, and have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment.