Dangerous Goods Consultant
Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA)
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Job Title: Dangerous Goods Consultant
Reference Number: 309521
Salary: £35,663 - £38,844
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Leatherhead
Closing Date: 11:55pm Sunday 8 October 2023

Job Summary

We welcome applications from every part of the community, and we don’t discriminate against any gender identity. We’re especially interested to hear from underrepresented groups in the DfT such as gender diverse, ethnic minority, LGBT+ and disabled candidates.

Do you have a keen eye for detail and take pride in your level of accuracy?

Would you embrace the opportunity to enhance public safety through effective regulation of transporting dangerous goods?

If so, we have an opportunity available within the Dangerous Goods Office and would love to hear from you!

Job Description

The Vehicle Certification Agency (VCA) is a specialist technical Agency within the Department for Transport. It is the UK Type Approval Authority and Technical Service for automotive approvals, and also the UK Authority for various non-automotive functions. Among these are several transport of dangerous goods (TDG) - related activities.

Dangerous goods are critical to the operation of a modern society. They are vital in many sectors, such as construction, energy supply, food production, defence, information technology and the health service. Through effective regulation, the DfT seeks to minimise the risks in transporting dangerous goods, amongst other things by ensuring they are packaged and carried in a way that protects the population and environment, while minimising burden to industry.

One of the main roles of the Dangerous Goods Office (DGO) within VCA is the operation of the UK dangerous goods packaging certification scheme on behalf of the DfT. It evaluates test reports for evidence of compliance and issues packaging approvals. In addition, it is responsible for operating several other TDG-related approvals schemes, giving advice to the public on TDG across all modes, and providing briefing to the DfT for international policy development.

A key part of the role is to manage the dangerous goods packaging approval process. This involves the evaluation of test reports, liaison with test stations regarding queries and with customers regarding the progress of applications, and monitoring staff workload and throughput to ensure that target time for issuing the approvals is met. Additional important duties as part of this job include dealing with and arranging audit visits to packaging reconditioners and to the Ministry of Defence (approximately 10 per year in total), and organising and acting as secretary for Packaging Scheme Review Committee meetings (PSRC, 2 per year). The post holder will play a critical role in ensuring that key performance indicator targets are met; while following correct procedures, and accuracy and attention to detail, are critical.

Your main duties will include but will not be limited to:

• Management of the Dangerous Goods Packaging Approval process:
• Managing the priority and issuing of Dangerous Goods Packaging Approval Certificates to target timescales
  
  
• Managing and maintaining the dangerous goods packaging approval database; engaging with the team lead in planning for a replacement
  
  
• Leading on preparations for the annual certification invoicing run
  
  
• Preparing documents for the PSRC, liaising with VCA’s Finance section on accounts matters
  
  
• Arranging a programme of audit visits to packaging reconditioners in the UK and the annual MoD packaging audit.
  
  

• Collectively answering TDG packaging and general queries, by telephone and email
  
  
• Line management responsibilities (currently one member of staff), accountable for training, development, monitoring performance, prioritising and organising the distribution of workload.
  
  

Reasonable Adjustments

As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need during the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at an interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

If you need a reasonable adjustment so that you can complete your application, you should contact Government Recruitment Service via dftrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

Pre-employment Checking

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 applicant’s 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.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction.

Contact point for applicants

Ziyad Akhlaq, ziyad.akhlaq@vca.gov.uk

Recruitment team, DFTrecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

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