Radon Database Development Officer

Job summary

The Radon Group is a mix of both scientific and administrative staff working across four teams: Dosimetry, Programmes, Services, and Data and Information (RDIT). This position is for a database development officer within RDIT. The main objective of RDIT is to plan, develop and maintain the data and information systems for the commercial and research activities within the Group.

Radon Group maintains the National Radon Database that holds over 700,000 records of indoor radon measurements made in the UK and is used on a daily basis. It is a Microsoft SQL Server database with a Microsoft Access front end. The post holder will help with the administration, development and maintenance of this valuable asset and will:

be involved in all aspects of, and responsible for, development and maintenance of the data systems used to support the range of services and research areas
manage various projects independently and be responsible for planning, through development, testing and system usage and support
Identify, implement and test new software to improve and update systems
design, develop and maintain a suite of data systems used extensively by the Group
be expected to develop a good working relationship with users
be eager to take on new challenges and have the motivation to succeed

Other key skills should include the ability to work to deadlines, flexibility, commitment to high standards, the ability to work alone or as part of a small team and effective communication skills.

Main duties of the job

The majority of the work will involve the development of bespoke database systems that meet the needs of users. A significant part of the role will be communicating with users during initial planning stages and during system roll out when user training and support will be required.

Develop an in-depth understanding of the data systems used by the group
Contribute to the development of existing and the introduction of new data systems
Liaise with users to discuss future needs to support system development
Provide demonstrations of, and training in the use of, new systems
Work independently and take responsibility for own standards of work and time management
Identify and test new/updated software
Provide resilience in the role of SQL Server database administrator
Receive and act upon feedback from users
Provide technical support to the data system users
Analyse and prepare data for research and programme support purposes
Receive and process external data for use within the group
Respond to ad hoc queries and information requests from a range of people
Disseminate information through the production of maps, reports, posters and presentations
Contribute fully to effective information management including PII in compliance with Information Governance and DPA

The post holder will be expected to act independently on day-to-day issues and to use own judgement where circumstances fall outside the available guidance and there is no precedent to follow.

The above is not exhaustive

About us

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

Job responsibilities

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events.
To participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, technical and non-technical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal

Line Manager
Radon Group members and Team Leader
Group Leader
Department Head
IT Group
Press and Information Group
GIS Group

External

Members of the Public
External Suppliers
Research Partners
Professional Bodies
Government Agencies and Departments
Stakeholders

Essential criteria

Educated to Bachelors degree level in a STEM based subject or equivalent level qualification, or equivalent experience working at a similar level in a database development and administration role
Experience of database development and administration within Microsoft SQL Server and development in Microsoft Access environments
Considerable experience in using SQL and VBA languages
Active participation in the development of new systems or services including optimization and practical applications
Demonstrable abilities in data manipulation, processing, extracting and reporting
Good understanding of Information Governance, DPA and handling PII
Experience in project management, coordinating multiple activities across a complex and challenging environment
Excellent verbal and written communication, organization and time management skills
Good problem solving/lateral thinking skills and ability to follow and carry out complex instructions
Good interpersonal skills and ability to work on own initiative and as part of a busy team
Able to work independently, under pressure and to tight deadlines and to take responsibility for own standards of work and time management
An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships
Experience in data handling, manipulation and visualisation using a GIS

Desirable criteria

Active participation in the maintenance and improvement of quality
Good negotiation and persuasion skills

Selection Process Details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications,knowledgeand experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Application & Sift

You willbe requiredto complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 13 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experienceand knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V please beadvisedyou will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Longlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplicationswe will longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all essential criteria
Meets some essential criteria
Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile Meets all essential criteria willproceedto shortlisting.

Shortlisting

In the event ofa large number ofapplications we may conductan initialsift, on the lead criteria of:

Educated to Bachelors degree level in a STEM based subject or equivalent level qualification, or equivalent experience working at a similar level in a database development and administration role
Experience of database development and administration within Microsoft SQL Server and development in Microsoft Access environments
Active participation in the development of new systems or services including optimization and practical applications

Desirable criteria may be usedin the event ofa large number ofapplications/largeamountof successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at UKHSA, Chilton, Didcot, Oxon OX11 0RQ. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton (Didcot). We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our campus.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Person Specification

Application form and supporting statement

Essential

Application form and supporting statement

Interview - Essential Criteria

Essential

Questions on experience, knowledge and skills

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website.

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Scientific Campus

Chilton (Didcot)

OX11 0RQ

United Kingdom

Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency

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