Location

Exeter, Leeds, Newcastle-upon-Tyne, Nottingham, Reading

About The Job

Job summary

The Rural Payments Agency (RPA) is an executive agency of the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), delivering over £2 billion in payments to farmers, traders and landowners each year.

We are an Operational Delivery Profession organisation, with the majority of our people delivering day to day services to our customers and stakeholders.

We make excellent delivery happen, empowering agricultural and rural communities to create a better place to live. We manage over 40 schemes, and also make payments on behalf of Natural England, to ensure we have a healthy rural economy, strong and sustainable rural communities, and to protect and enhance the natural environment.

Our vision is to create a great place for people living in this country. We have developed a set of four strategic objectives covering our policy outcomes and corporate objectives. These objectives help us to deliver our ambitious vision to build our green and healthy future and provide a framework for all of the important work that we carry out.

Further information can be found on the Rural Payments Agency website: RPA Website

Job Description

As an HEO Earth Observation Specialist, you will be part of the Geospatial Team within the RPA, responsible for overseeing and delivering a range of geomatics capabilities. These include earth observation, the geospatial data supply chain, machine learning, spatial analytics, and designing enterprise geospatial information products and solutions. You will use advanced technology and data for surveillance, geo-intelligence gathering, and mapping of the natural environment and rural landscapes.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an Earth Observation Specialist with strong technical knowledge of data science concepts and a passion for working in a fast-paced, dynamic, and motivated team. Successful candidates will have the chance to develop and grow their skills within a geo-centric organisation.

In this role, you will further develop and exploit data from airborne platforms and remote sensing satellites, contributing to strategic environmental programmes and business-critical initiatives within central government. You will collaborate with our existing team to advance remote sensing and machine learning capabilities that have already been embedded into our operational processes. You will gain experience working with various teams across the agency and broader government, delivering projects, collaborating with our supply chain, and working within an exciting, fast-growing business area.

Earth observation is a growing field within the RPA. You will create deep learning algorithms to train models that produce markers for key actions and events, such as identifying bare soil, mowing, and harvesting, as well as fulfilling regulatory obligations related to hedgerows. Utilising high-resolution, high-frequency satellite imagery and aerial photography, you will develop these markers and apply them at scale across England, transforming how our field teams work with customers to maximise the benefits of their agreements.

As you progress, you will lead innovation efforts around the platforming of land data and intelligence, integrating it with systems within the RPA and across government departments. Your focus will be on driving environmental recovery and ensuring food and biosecurity. You will also develop new markers to broaden the scope of remote monitoring for schemes and help deliver a large-scale monitoring capability to assess strategic outcomes and policy directions.

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to develop new data products derived from imagery for the RPA, wider government, and the public. We encourage you to bring ideas for future projects and to collaborate with geospatial and Earth Observation experts from other government departments to modernise and improve the way we work.

Person specification

Within This Role, You Will

Serve as the subject matter expert on satellite and airborne surveillance and data capture, providing technical support on remote sensing and earth observation to internal stakeholders.
Develop and implement new markers and classifications using machine learning and remote sensing, deploying these at scale.
Assure the supply chain responsible for national remote sensing surveillance, ensuring adherence to the Sustainable Farming Incentive standards.
Continuously learn and apply new data science tools and techniques within the geospatial field.
Support the development new data products and processes that benefit both the RPA and Defra.
Act as a consultant to internal teams, advising on how to exploit geospatial data and build capability across operational teams and the wider analytical and earth observation community.
Champion the use of data science in the geospatial field throughout Defra and RPA.
Participate in innovation and R&D projects with other Defra network agencies, supporting the development of workflows using geomatics and remote sensing technologies.
Manage, mentor, and develop junior staff, encouraging their professional growth.

You Will Have The Following Knowledge And Experience

A relevant degree or masters equivalent in Geography; Remote Sensing; Earth Observation; Geographic Information Systems/Science or relevant land/IT discipline, or have equivalent industry experience.
Previous working experience in a remote sensing/geospatial analytical or technical role.
Evidence of successful development and delivery of geospatial tools and data products.
An awareness of space platforms and sensors; and experience on the operation of image processing and classification techniques.
Experience in machine learning algorithms and advanced statistical modelling (Random Forest Classifier, R, Python, GDAL).
Experience with ETL tools such as Safe FME desktop and server, and spatial data visualisation tools and techniques.
An understanding of a wide range of business analysis techniques, including requirements gathering and supporting their transformation into solutions suitable for business-wide implementation.
Strong written & verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex concepts to a non-technical audience.
The ability to build relationships and influence colleagues, customers and suppliers.

Qualifications

You must hold relevant degree or masters equivalent in Geography; Remote Sensing; Earth Observation; Geographic Information Systems/Science or relevant land/IT discipline, or have equivalent industry experience.

Behaviours

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

Changing and Improving
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,590, Rural Payments Agency contributes £9,731 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Learning and development tailored to your role.
An environment with flexible working options.
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window) , and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete the following:

A CV
A 500-word personal statement demonstrating how you meet the essential skills and experience detailed in the advertisement.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift will be conducted using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates can be found in the attached candidate pack.

Interview

If Successful At Application Stage, You Will Be Invited To Interview Where You Will Be Assessed On Experience, Strengths And The Following Behaviours

Changing & Improving
Working Together
Managing a Quality Service

As part of your interview, you will be asked to give a 5-10-minute pre-prepared presentation. Further details will be provided to you if you are successful at sift. You can choose how to present.

Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.

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).

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. 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.

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.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Merit Lists

Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.

Near miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in the RPA which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that the RPA 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:

Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
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 you’re 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 offenses. 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.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to the RPA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window) .

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact

Name : HR Resourcing Support
Email : HRResourcingSupport@defra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

Email : DefraRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If You Feel Your Application Has Not Been Treated In Accordance With The Recruitment Principles And You Wish To Make a Complaint, In The First Instance, You Should Contact

Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission.

Rural Payments Agency jobs

Earth Observation Specialist