Job summary
This is an exciting opportunity to join one of the Biological Services departments within High Containment and Biological Services. The primary aim of Colindale Biological Services is to protect the UK public from a variety of health risks through the provision of support to internal and external laboratories. The areas of work that are ongoing include diagnostics for bacterial infections, the supply of normal blood cells, as well as the production of antisera against influenza and other pathogens . As an Animal Technician, you will play an important role in providing high quality animal care and environmental enrichment for poultry, rodents, and ferrets. In this role, you will be responsible for maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare and ensuring that the practices and facilities are Home Office compliant. This role is primarily a physical role, ensuring the environment is clean, and health and wellbeing requirements for the animals are fulfilled. Weekend work (paid as overtime) is on a rota and will be introduced after a period of induction to the facility.
Main duties of the job
Responsibilities section: The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties: Work within BSD performing routine animal husbandry and working with a variety of species. Conducting experimental procedures under Home Office licence including the removal of specified tissue and blood. To recognise, report and record ill health in species held within BSD. Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive and other regulatory bodies as applicable. Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines. Be capable of working efficiently in a team and alone. Work at ACDP (Advisory Committee of Dangerous Pathogens) Containment Level 2 and above if required, undertaking associated safety precautions. Ensure equipment used within BSD is fit for purpose and is usable at all times, reporting faults as identified and moving equipment as required. Take part in a rota system for weekend and public holiday working. Undertake all work in accordance with UKHSA Code of Safety Practice and Quality System 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
Animal Technician
Grade AO (Inner) - £26,392 to £26,994
UKHSA Colindale
Permanent Contract
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.
UKHSA 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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Skills & experience
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description): Essential
Good general education with GCSE (or equivalent) in one scientific subject
Can demonstrate reliability and the ability to work as part of a team
Keeping detailed and accurate records Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes.
Working in an animal-based environment to a high standard of husbandry.
Working in a safety critical environment including awareness of ACDP containment
Understanding of the need for and purpose of bio containment when working with dangerous pathogens
Understanding of the need for thorough documentation systems
Awareness of the need to continually develop and improve animal welfare
Desirable
IAT Certificate (or equivalent)
Personal Licence Holder
Other
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description 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 an interview by video. 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.
Compliance
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
Seeing the big picture
Communicating and influencing
Working together
Delivery at pace
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 10th March 2024 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: 15th March 2024
Interviews: w/c 8th April 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Skills & experience
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description): Essential
Good general education with GCSE (or equivalent) in one scientific subject
Can demonstrate reliability and the ability to work as part of a team
Keeping detailed and accurate records Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes.
Working in an animal-based environment to a high standard of husbandry.
Working in a safety critical environment including awareness of ACDP containment
Understanding of the need for and purpose of bio containment when working with dangerous pathogens
Understanding of the need for thorough documentation systems
Awareness of the need to continually develop and improve animal welfare
Desirable
IAT Certificate (or equivalent)
Personal Licence Holder
Other
Selection process details
STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:
You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description 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 an interview by video. 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.
Compliance
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:
Seeing the big picture
Communicating and influencing
Working together
Delivery at pace
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 10th March 2024 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: 15th March 2024
Interviews: w/c 8th April 2024
Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Good general education with GCSE (or equivalent) in one scientific subject
- Can demonstrate reliability and the ability to work as part of a team
- Keeping detailed and accurate records
- Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes.
- Working in an animal-based environment to a high standard of husbandry.
- Working in a safety critical environment including awareness of ACDP containment
- Understanding of the need for and purpose of bio containment when working with dangerous pathogens
- Understanding of the need for thorough documentation systems
- Awareness of the need to continually develop and improve animal welfare
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Good general education with GCSE (or equivalent) in one scientific subject
- Can demonstrate reliability and the ability to work as part of a team
- Keeping detailed and accurate records
- Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes.
- Working in an animal-based environment to a high standard of husbandry.
- Working in a safety critical environment including awareness of ACDP containment
- Understanding of the need for and purpose of bio containment when working with dangerous pathogens
- Understanding of the need for thorough documentation systems
- Awareness of the need to continually develop and improve animal welfare
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).
