Navy Command – Naval Base Radiation Safety Officer

His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth (HMNBP) has been an integral part of the city since 1194. It is home to almost two-thirds of the Royal Navy’s surface ships, including the new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth; HMS Prince of Wales; the formidable Type 45 destroyers; Type 23 frigates; and mine countermeasures and fishery protection squadrons. 

The base is a major employer and provides lodging facilities to RN personnel serving at the base and in Portsmouth based ships.

HMNBP is one of three naval bases providing enabling support as part of the nation’s defence strategy. In doing so, HMNBP seeks to improve through science and technology to strengthen its security and defence at home and overseas. This requires continuous improvements in building capacity, capability and resilience through its people. It is the home base for assigned ships and ship’s companies preparing for operations. A key component of achieving this support is the ability to deliver the full range of increasingly sophisticated engineering support services. The unique employment opportunities offered are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command’s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future. Navy Command provides an open, flexible and supportive work environment and Civil Servants, Contractors and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in different disciplines.

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Working as part of the Naval Base Health Safety and Environment Group (HSEG) is a unique opportunity. HMNB Portsmouth is a complex, multi-stakeholder, multi-hazard environment employing over 12,000 people and is home to over 100 business units including MOD units, lodgers, contractors and charities. The successful candidates will have the opportunity to learn and develop health and safety skills as part of a small team delivering a wide range of safety functions.

Reporting to NBC(P) through the Head of Ops, the Health Safety and Environmental Group (HSEG) is headed up by the HSEG Team Leader (TL) and provides comprehensive Health, Safety and Environmental Protection (HS&EP) services to NBC(P) and other business units within the Command area to aid compliance with HS&EP legislation and MOD policy.

Responsibilities of the HSEG include:

• provision of HS&EP advice to NBC(P) including specialist areas such as fire, explosives, environmental and radiation safety advice
• provision of HS&EP training
• provision of HS&EP assurance across all organisations within the NBC(P) estate
• managing incident/incident reporting across NBC(P)’s Area of Responsibility (AoR).

As part of the HSEG, the Radiation Safety Officer provides competent direction and guidance to NBCP) for the interpretation of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, subordinate safety legislation such as the Ionising Radiation Regulations 2017 and MOD policy.

In addition, the RSO will be responsible for the following:

• Management and control of all activities and radiological safety matters related to the Radioactive Store, together with the Health Physics Supervisor
• Provision of Nuclear Emergency Response Organisation (NERO) training and briefing and acting as Deputy Officer in Command for the mobile Exclusion Zone Reception Centre (EZRC) supporting the Operational Berths at HMNB Portsmouth, ABP Southampton and Portland Port
• Team leader at the EZRC including the clearance monitoring, decontamination and accountancy areas
• Health Physics Section lead, encompassing one Health Physics Supervisor and two Health Physics Monitors
• Responsible as the HMNB(P) lead health physics practitioner for the day-to-day safe conduct of all radio-chemical analysis, waste disposal procedures, recording and reporting conducted in 79 Store North and elsewhere within the Naval Base (including ship’s alongside).
• Provision of Electromagnetic Frequency (EMF) advice

The post potentially attracts a recruitment and retention allowance dependent on skills and qualifications.

The post requires some travel to other sites and also transportation of some small equipment around the Naval Base, therefore a full driving licence is required.

We are seeking a candidate who is a flexible team-player, but also self-motivated.

It is essential that the candidate must have a reasonable standard of IT literacy, experience of working in radiological protection and a full driving licence.

Experience of working in the Defence nuclear programme with a knowledge of policies and procedures would be an advantage. 

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Managing a Quality Service
• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving

As a civil servant in Navy Command, you will be part of a forward-looking organisation with inclusive workplace policies, excellent career prospects, and a job that makes a difference.

Navy Command prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance.

In HMNBP, we promote the 70:20:10 model[1]. We understand learning can take different forms including on the job practice, learning from others, networking as well as studying for courses. All staff are encouraged to take ownership of their development and take proactive steps to shape your own learning and development. This includes identifying learning needs, deciding the best way to meet these needs, undertaking learning and reflecting.

We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking an apprenticeship as part of your role.

An apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through an apprenticeship you will gain professional knowledge, practical experience, and the broader skills required to upskill you in your current role and pave the way for your future career. Most of the training will be ‘on-the-job’, with the remaining ‘off-the-job’ training often delivered by a training provider. This means minimal disruption and maximum impact.

Professional qualifications can be achieved through an apprenticeship and range from Level 2 (equivalent to 5 GCSEs), Level 3 (equivalent to 2 A Levels), and Levels 4 -7, which can give you a foundation degree, a full Bachelor’s degree, or a Master’s degree.

Apprenticeships normally last between 12 months – 3 years, depending on the level of the apprenticeship.

Anyone can undertake an Apprenticeship and everyone, regardless of age, can benefit from developing their skills in an accredited way.

Successful candidates can discuss their development options with their manager when in post. 

We also provide first rate benefits for all our employees as we understand the commitments our staff have, both inside and outside of the workplace and our aim is to provide a place of work which allows the flexibility to maintain a work-life balance. These include:

• In addition to your salary is the potential for in-year performance and recognition awards
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
• Personal & professional development
• Access to a confidential, professional support service
• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service
• Alternative working patterns for many roles
• Discount schemes
• Bicycle / season ticket loans
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year
• On-site facilities (gymnasium, various cafés, shops, post office, mess facilities etc)

[1] 20200522-Routes to learning 2020_May.pdf (sharepoint.com)

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.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Job contact :

• Name : Steve Kearney
• Email : steve.kearney894@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk