Principal Investigations Officer
Environmental Standards Scotland
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 6th October 2024
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About the job
Job summary
Environmental Standards Scotland (ESS) is an independent corporate body, directed by a Chair and Board. ESS is a Non-Ministerial Office, part of the Scottish Administration, and employees are civil servants. Full details are available on the ESS website Home - Environmental Standards Scotland.
ESS was established by the UK Withdrawal from the European Union (Continuity) (Scotland) Act 2021, which received royal ascent in January 2021. ESS was established and gained its statutory functions and powers on 1 October 2021.
ESS has been set up to ensure environmental laws and standards are adhered to in Scotland, replacing the European Union’s scrutiny and enforcement role after Brexit.
The remit of ESS covers a broad range of environmental law, including all aspects of environmental protection and harm, particularly in relation to human beings and their enjoyment of the environment.
ESS’ role is to scrutinise, investigate and secure improvements in public authorities’ compliance with environmental law, the effectiveness of environmental law, and the way it is being implemented and applied in Scotland.
The body has published a Strategic Plan, setting out how it will operate and function, including how it will act objectively, impartially, proportionately and transparently. ESS is accountable to the Scottish Parliament for the effective performance of its functions.
The organisation will carry out its role by:
- monitoring information about the quality of the environment in Scotland and the effectiveness of environmental law, including representations brought forward by citizens and interested groups
- seeking information from public authorities, including the Scottish Government, and working with the public authorities to understand the background to regulatory policies and practices
- selecting a small number of cases for detailed investigation, prioritising cases where there is the greatest risk to the environment
- working with public authorities, where necessary, to seek to agree changes in practice to reflect environmental law, or develop advice on recommended changes to the law to improve its effectiveness
Job description
The role of Principal Investigation Officer will be critical to the work of ESS, which is high-profile, complex and consequential. The post-holder will be part of the Investigations, Standards and Compliance team, and will report to the head of department. The investigation function considers information submitted to ESS by members of the public and organisations, and other matters of concern to ESS’ Board. Information will be supplied to the Board to allow the selection of cases for detailed investigation, and these cases will be investigated through collection of information from public authorities and other experts as appropriate. Updates and recommendations will be made to ESS’ Board, and progress will be reported to the members of the public and organisations that report concerns to ESS.
You will report directly to the Head of the Investigations Standards and Compliance (ISC) team. This role currently has no direct line management responsibility but this may change in the future.
This is a key role within the ISC team. You will work with the ESS Board, colleagues and stakeholders, across all levels, to assist with the work of ESS. You will need an eye for detail and the ability to be creative in your approach to challenges, alongside being proactive in seeking to continuously improve existing processes and procedures.
Your duties will be focused on delivering the following four ESS strategic outcomes:
- taking action to ensure compliance and effectiveness
- investigating the most important environmental concerns
- engaging and communicating effectively about our role and how to raise concerns
- an effective and efficient organisation
Essential Criteria
- Excellent interpersonal, networking and team-working skills, with experience of allocating work to match resources.
- Experience of analysing complex information to produce clear, concise and well-structured written work, with clear evidence-based recommendations.
- Excellent planning and organisational skills, including the ability to balance competing demands, and use of initiative and judgement to develop handling strategies to resolve sensitive issues.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, to ensure clear flow of information to senior leaders and accurate recording of decisions.
Person specification
Key duties and responsibilities will include:
- support the Head of Department in relation to all investigations and compliance matters, including monitoring the workload pressures and resources of the ISC team
- develop and maintain the implementation of ESS investigations and compliance procedures, ensuring they are robust, fair and transparent
- quality assuring the work of the ISC team
- engage effectively with a wide range of public authorities so that matters of environmental concern are resolved by agreement wherever possible
- ensure the effective implementation of ESS’ recommendations and actions agreed through resolution and formal enforcement action
- ensure close working and collaboration across the ISC and Strategy and Analysis team, to contribute to the analysis and investigation of key environmental concerns
- build effective relationships with a range of individuals and organisations involved in the development of environmental policy and regulations in Scotland – including the Scottish Parliament, the Scottish Government and its agencies and environmental NGOs
- set and maintain high standards of integrity and professionalism in all aspects of ESS investigations and compliance procedures, and their implementation
- work collaboratively and flexibly with colleagues across ESS on key operational work streams to support the development of effective and efficient processes and systems within ESS
- ensuring an inclusive team culture, encouraging innovation and capturing ideas for development so that people develop themselves and their careers while delivering for ESS
- represent ESS with other stakeholders, promoting understanding of the role and ethos of ESS with staff, public authorities and stakeholders
Qualifications
Other qualifications equivalent to these may also be acceptable, if you are in any doubt please contact the recruiting manager named at the bottom of the advert to discuss.
Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Communications & Engagement
- Self-Awareness
Benefits
Benefits
ESS is a small organisation focused on ensuring Scotland achieves the highest environmental standards. We seek skilled individuals who have a passion for improving environmental standards through public service, and that can work as part of a small multidisciplinary team.
In return, we offer a competitive employment package, including the civil service pension and a strong commitment to investing in each member of our teams personal and professional development. We also offer opportunities to work on some of the most significant and meaningful environmental challenges facing us today and the chance to play a part in helping to improve the quality of the environment for the people of Scotland.
As a new organisation we are building a culture that encourages inclusion and diversity and welcome applications from people from a diverse range of backgrounds.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
This competition is being run in accordance with the Civil Service Recruitment Principles.
The selection panel will use your application to assess your suitability for the role against the essential criteria during sifting using your statement of suitability and your CV .
If you are shortlisted, you will be provided with full details of the next stages of the selection process.
Please note: If you fail to demonstrate how you meet the minimum qualifications as stated above, your application will be automatically sifted out.
The Skills for Success Competencies required for this role are shown below. You will be tested against these competencies at interview.
- Analysis and Use of Evidence
- Improving Performance
- Communications & Engagement
- Self-Awareness
Sift and Interview dates are yet to be confirmed.
In addition to setting out information on your work experience, please submit a personal statement (no longer than 1,000 words) explaining why you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience are suitable for this role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
You should read each of the essential criteria, and think about a time, or an example, that can help demonstrate your knowledge/skills. Remember, this must be evidence based and your answers should be clear, concise and reflect what actions you undertook. You may want to use the STAR(R) approach to respond to each criterion. You should aim to use approximately 250 words per criteria.
We would wish, where possible, to hold interviews in person. This will be managed in a safe and appropriate way within the ESS offices at Thistle House in Edinburgh.
If an alternative virtual interview is required, we will ask all applicants to ensure that they have a suitable space to complete the online interview. In addition, a personal device of choice that can access MS Teams will be required, alongside access to personal Wi-Fi/Broadband that has capacity to carry both audio and video feeds.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Alasdair Dewar, Business and Finance Manager
- Email : Alasdair.dewar@environmentalstandards.scot
Recruitment team
- Email : enquiries@environmentalstandards.scot
