Dangerous Goods Consultant

at  Vehicle Certification Agency

JOB DESCRIPTION

The primary responsibility of the Dangerous Goods (DG) Consultant is to assess applications for UN packaging approval and come to a decision. This involves liaising with customers and test stations and reviewing test reports to verify compliance with the regulations.
The DG consultant is responsible for responding to applications in a timely manner and meeting key performance indicators. To aid in this, the role includes line management responsibility over one EO (Executive Officer), who will provide administrative support.
A typical week will involve responding to customer enquiries, ensuring that all questions and concerns are addressed promptly and accurately. Another important task is to provide the Department for Transport (DfT) with expertise in relation to the dangerous goods regulations - for example the potential impact of a change to the packaging requirements.
This role also includes routine visits to drum reconditioner sites to assess operations and provide necessary guidance. In this role a keen attention to detail is essential. Excellent organisation skills are also necessary, as multiple tasks and projects will need to be managed simultaneously. The role demands a strong customer focus to ensure all customer requirements are addressed promptly and accurately.
The dangerous goods office is currently undergoing a digitalisation process as part of a VCA-wide digital transformation programme. The VCA has invested heavily to improve work processes and increase efficiency. The postholder will be expected to engage with this programme and will have the chance to influence the way in which the Dangerous Goods Office operates going forwards.

QUALIFICATIONS

Qualified Dangerous Goods Safety Advisor, or willingness to undertake training and examination

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

TYPE OF ROLE

Environment and Sustainability
Operational Delivery

YOUR DUTIES WILL INCLUDE BUT NOT 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 and engaging with the team lead in planning for a replacement system.
• Leading on preparations for the annual certification invoicing run.
• Preparing documents for the Packaging Scheme Review Committee (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 Ministry of Defence (MoD) packaging audit.
• Collectively answering 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.
• Answer dangerous goods enquiries from industry and the public in a concise, accurate and timely manner.
• Make considered contributions to improve the dangerous goods carriage regime, participating in meetings as appropriate, including overseas if necessary.
• Develop competency in other VCA DGO workstreams sufficient to cover for colleagues when required.
• Work within VCA Quality Management System to ensure high quality standards are maintained.

Please find below a list of experience relevant to the role, Candidates will be expected to demonstrate their suitability against these in their application and during the assessment:

• Experience of either dangerous goods regulations or packaging, and/or familiarity with legislation.
• The ability to absorb and retain significant amounts of regulatory and technical detail if not already familiar with dangerous goods regulations and/or packaging.
• Experience of target driven front-line management and working to deadlines, in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong attention to detail when checking documentation and accuracy in data entry.
• Ability to deal with enquiries by establishing the background to the enquiry thereby ensuring that appropriate advice is given.
• Customer focused, with the ability to understand and respond to the needs and expectations of both external and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to network showing good communication skills with a good telephone and email manner.
• Good IT skills – Microsoft Word, Adobe, Excel, Outlook, Teams, Access, Adob

Your personal statement will be assessed based on your experience in relation to its applicability of this role. The two experience indicators being assessed are:

• Working with and understanding regulations, legislation and technical detail to ensure correct information is provided to stakeholders.
• Experience of target driven front-line management and working to deadlines, in a fast-paced environment