Job summary
Media Services Porton is responsible for the provision of a full service for the destruction of all contaminated waste produced on the Porton site. This service covers the Vaccine Development and Evaluation Centre and Diagnostics & Pathogen Characterisation Division on site along with the Food, Water and Environmental laboratory. The work includes the collection of contaminated waste from agreed locations throughout the main building and the Vaccine Task Force (VTF) buildings, and its transportation to the Media Services central autoclave suite for thermal destruction. The service is for Biohazard Category 2 waste only. The resulting material is then processed; glass and other recyclable material is washed in the department's wash-up area and waste material for disposal off-site is processed and/or packaged appropriately. A central site-wide autoclave sterilisation service is provided from the media production area autoclaves.
The work includes the active involvement with engineering staff to ensure the validation work is carried out to UK Health Security Agency safety standards.
This role is being offered on a full time basis. There are two vacancies available.
Location
UKHSA Porton Down Salisbury SP4 0JG (Lab based)
*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*
Main duties of the job
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
- To run the autoclaves in the area - Main building, VTF and media production.
- To collect appropriate waste from labs across the site.
- To check that items are correct and in good condition.
- To ensure delivery/collection of customer discard or yellow bins.
- To ensure colleagues and self are wearing suitable protective personal equipment in accordance with departmental and UK Health Security Agency Protective Personal Equipment policy.
- Work with engineers on the servicing and validation of the autoclaves.
- To train production and other staff in the safe operation and use of autoclaves as required.
- Support trainees as required in all their activities and ensure they are adequately trained in all operational process's requirements.
- Take responsibility for checklists of routine daily tasks such as area and equipment cleaning and servicing.
- Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of the premises and equipment by taking responsibility for the set-up and smooth running of all equipment in section and assist in problem solving issues for both equipment and procedures.
The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.
About us
The UK Health Security Agency exists to protect and improve the nation's health and wellbeing and reduce health inequalities. We do this through world-leading science, knowledge and intelligence, advocacy, partnerships and the delivery of specialist public health services. We are an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care, and a distinct delivery organisation with operational autonomy. We provide government, local government, the NHS, Parliament, industry and the public with evidence-based professional, scientific and delivery expertise and support.
Working for the UKHSA
For more information on the UKHSA please visit:UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Benefits
- 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 average employer contribution of 27%.
- Range of health and wellbeing support.
- 26 days annual leave allowance increasing to 32 days after a 10-year service.
Any move to UKHSA 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 atChildcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK
Job description
Job responsibilities
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed using Success Profiles metrics.
Your Statement of Suitability (max 1000 words) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview by video (MS Teams).
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence.
The Behaviours that will be used are:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
The Technicals that will be used are:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Able to work as part of a team.
- Understanding and practice of cleanliness to a UK Health Security.
- Agency Specialised Microbiology & Laboratories level.
- An awareness of health and safety issues.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close:23:55hrs on 9th August 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews:W/C 28th August 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed using Success Profiles metrics.
Your Statement of Suitability (max 1000 words) should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).
**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**
You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.
STAGE 2 INTERVIEW
This competition will involve an interview by video (MS Teams).
As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence.
The Behaviours that will be used are:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
The Technicals that will be used are:
- Excellent communication skills.
- Able to work as part of a team.
- Understanding and practice of cleanliness to a UK Health Security.
- Agency Specialised Microbiology & Laboratories level.
- An awareness of health and safety issues.
Expected Timeline:
Advert close:23:55hrs on 9th August 2023 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Interviews:W/C 28th August 2023
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Education and quaification
Essential
- Education to GCSE level or equivalent experience in aligned field.
- Good numeracy and literacy.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Able to work as part of a team.
- Understanding and practice of cleanliness to a UK Health Security Agency Specialised Microbiology & Laboratories level.
- An awareness of health and safety issues.
Person Specification
Education and quaification
Essential
- Education to GCSE level or equivalent experience in aligned field.
- Good numeracy and literacy.
- Excellent communication skills.
- Able to work as part of a team.
- Understanding and practice of cleanliness to a UK Health Security Agency Specialised Microbiology & Laboratories level.
- An awareness of health and safety issues.
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
Additional information
Disclosure and Barring Service Check
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).
From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).
