Application Process
As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a maximum 750-word personal statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification and essential criteria section, and a maximum 250-word response to the advertised question below concerning the advertised lead behaviour Delivering at Pace.
The question for applicants to respond to on their application form is:
How do you balance the need for speed with managing quality?
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For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what youll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
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For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV
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For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link Statement
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For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link Behaviours
We would recommend the STAR model to structure your answers. We find this allows you to best demonstrate your skills and experience, we can get to know you and can support you to show your skills and experience to answer questions linked to the advertised success profiles.
What STAR stands for
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Situation - the situation you had to deal with
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Task - the task you were given to do
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Action - the action you took
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Result - what happened as a result of your action and what you learned from the experience
How to use STAR
You can use the STAR method to structure the examples you give to questions. You can use it to highlight particular skills and qualities you have that the employer is looking for.
When using STAR, remember:
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you can use examples from work, home or volunteering
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keep examples short and to the point
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if shortlisted be prepared to answer follow-up questions about the examples you give at the interview stage
Sift
The sift panel will use the information in your CV and personal statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification and essential criteria section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement for Delivering at Pace.
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Interview schedule and details will be confirmed on release of the sift results.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the three advertised behaviours, three advertised technical skills, four strengths and experience. It is also important to inform prospective applicants that the interview questions will be provided to all shortlisted candidates in advance of the planned date and time of interview. The only questions that won't be provided are the strengths questions because strengths are defined as things people are good at and that energise us. It is important for shortlisted candidates to provide spontaneous responses that reveal genuine preferences and behaviours, rather than rehearsed examples.
The three advertised behaviours:
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Delivering at Pace - Lead behaviour
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Managing a Quality Service
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Working Together
The three advertised technical skills are:
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Practical and/or theoretical experience with analytical chemistry.
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Experience with the use of chromatography techniques.
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Previous laboratory experience, preferably in a chemical testing laboratory to strict quality controls.
These technical skills will be assessed through questions at interview as well through a pipetting test exercise. Shortlisted applicants will be taken to a laboratory and given a pipette, flask of water, balance and weighing boat and asked to pipette a given volume of water onto the balance three times and record the value each time. This exercise will test shortlisted applicants' familiarity with a pipette, understanding of volumes (microlitre vs millilitre), and precision in pipetting (a key skill for a lab chemist).
Please be aware that interviews will take place in person at the Cefas Weymouth Laboratory.
If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour Delivering at Pace will be used by the panel.
A date has not yet been confirmed for the interviews to take place.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).
Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Weymouth. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the laboratory or office locations listed in this advert in order to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business needs.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Please note this vacancy is a lab-based role and therefore there is a requirement for the post holder to be on-site on a daily basis. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
As stated in the job description section of this advert -
This job will involve the physical opening and processing of bivalve shellfish, it is not suitable for anyone with a shellfish allergy. The successful candidate will be expected to have and maintain up to date tetanus immunisation. Hepatitis A vaccination will be recommended.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra and Cefas does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
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Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
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Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
