Animal Support Technician

UK Health Security Agency

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Animal Support Technician

Grade AO - £20,472 - £22,377 (National)

Porton Down - On-Site

Permanent Contract

As an animal support technician, you will be part of the Biological Services Group (BSG) and work with a unique breeding colony of animals. You will provide technical support and husbandry duties to ensure the animals are well cared for and enriched. You will also work with the wider colonies team to keep the animals and facilities in line with the Home Office standards of animal welfare. This role involves a lot of physical work, such as cleaning, feeding, and treating the animals. Weekend work (paid as overtime) is required on a rota basis, after you complete your induction to the facility.

Site access requirements stipulate that our employees must be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years.

Porton Down - 5 days On-Site

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern - Full Time On-site, Rota Overtime Required

Main duties of the job

Responsibilities section:

The job holder will be required to carry out the following:

  • Work with the Colonies team performing routine animal husbandry, continually striving to maintain the highest standards of care and welfare of all NHPs.
  • To recognise, report and record ill health and welfare issues in the NHPs and support with vet duties. Document and communicate issues to relevant team members, e.g. line manager, NACWO or Named Vet.
  • Contribute to study work completed at the colonies including those using infection agents at ACDP containment level 2 and 3, undertaking associated safety precautions.
  • Support with basic post-mortem examination and removal of specified tissue.
  • Support the development, implementation and maintenance of environmental enrichment to enhance the wellbeing of the NHPs.
  • Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines.
  • Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
  • Assist with the supervision of specific designated areas such as the Prep- room, Surgical procedures room, X-ray processing room, Sample Receipt and Storage areas, (the post holder takes full responsibility of areas in the absence of the Supervisor).
  • Take part in rota system for weekend and public holiday working and essential 'out of hours' scoring of NHPs in study.
  • Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, Defra.

About us

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 suppor

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 at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

Date posted

04 September 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£20,472 to £22,377 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

UKHSA00384

Job locations

UKHSA Porton Down

Manor Farm Road

Porton Down, Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Please See Full Duties and Responsibilities here:

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

  • Good general education including a scientific subject (GCSE level)
  • Educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
  • Experience of working in a safety critical environment
  • Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team.
  • Awareness of the regulatory requirements that the Colonies operates to, i.e. HO, HSE, DEFRA, MHRA GLP
  • An understanding of the requirement to continually review processes with the aim to improve animal welfare through refinement of husbandry and procedural techniques.

Desirable

  • National Certificate in Animal Technology
  • Theoretical and practical training for working at ACDP CL3 in an in-vivo setting
  • Experience of working in a GLP environment

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve a Face-to-Face Interview.

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 in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Your Statement of Suitability 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).

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.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Delivery at Pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 18th September 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.

Shortlist: 22nd September 2023

Interviews: w/c 2nd October 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals

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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a full security clearance check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. Due to the nature of the role, it requires full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. 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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email:Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Job description

Job responsibilities

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.

Please See Full Duties and Responsibilities here:

Essential Criteria:

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

  • Good general education including a scientific subject (GCSE level)
  • Educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
  • Experience of working in a safety critical environment
  • Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team.
  • Awareness of the regulatory requirements that the Colonies operates to, i.e. HO, HSE, DEFRA, MHRA GLP
  • An understanding of the requirement to continually review processes with the aim to improve animal welfare through refinement of husbandry and procedural techniques.

Desirable

  • National Certificate in Animal Technology
  • Theoretical and practical training for working at ACDP CL3 in an in-vivo setting
  • Experience of working in a GLP environment

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve a Face-to-Face Interview.

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 in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Your Statement of Suitability 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).

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.

The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
  • Delivery at Pace

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 18th September 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.

Shortlist: 22nd September 2023

Interviews: w/c 2nd October 2023

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants)

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals

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 welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Security clearance level requirement

Successful candidates must pass a full security clearance check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. Due to the nature of the role, it requires full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. 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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email:Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Good general education including a scientific subject (GCSE level)
  • Educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
  • Experience of working in a safety critical environment
  • Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team.
  • Awareness of the regulatory requirements that the Colonies operates to, i.e. HO, HSE, DEFRA, MHRA GLP
  • An understanding of the requirement to continually review processes with the aim to improve animal welfare through refinement of husbandry and procedural techniques.

Desirable

  • National Certificate in Animal Technology
  • Theoretical and practical training for working at ACDP CL3 in an in-vivo setting
  • Experience of working in a GLP environment
Person Specification

Essential

Essential

  • Good general education including a scientific subject (GCSE level)
  • Educated to NVQ 2 level in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven experience.
  • Experience of working in a safety critical environment
  • Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team.
  • Awareness of the regulatory requirements that the Colonies operates to, i.e. HO, HSE, DEFRA, MHRA GLP
  • An understanding of the requirement to continually review processes with the aim to improve animal welfare through refinement of husbandry and procedural techniques.

Desirable

  • National Certificate in Animal Technology
  • Theoretical and practical training for working at ACDP CL3 in an in-vivo setting
  • Experience of working in a GLP environment

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.

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Porton Down

Manor Farm Road

Porton Down, Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

UKHSA Porton Down

Manor Farm Road

Porton Down, Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

For questions about the job, contact:

RPO Talent Partner

Nathan Marron

Nathan.Marron@reed.com

Date posted

04 September 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£20,472 to £22,377 a year per annum

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time

Reference number

UKHSA00384

Job locations

UKHSA Porton Down

Manor Farm Road

Porton Down, Salisbury

SP4 0JG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)