Job summary
As an experienced animal technician, you will be providing high quality animal care and environmental enrichment for the NHPs. You will be guiding routine work, overseeing junior staff and supporting senior staff members in regulated work. Working with the wider colonies team, you will be maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare ensuring the NHPs and facilities are Home Office compliant. This role is primarily a physical role, ensuring the environment is clean and nutritional requirements for the NHPs 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 with the colony team performing routine animal husbandry, continually striving to maintain the highest standards of care and welfare of all animals.
To recognize, report and record ill health and welfare issues in Macaca species and be responsible for the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) duties, documenting and communicating issues to relevant team members, e.g., line manager, NACWO or NVS.
As a Personal Licence (PIL) holder, prepare for, and contribute to, study work completed under Home Office Licence, including those using infection agents at ACDP containment level 2 and 3, undertaking associated safety precautions. Complete necessary documentation associated with study work completed.
Support with basic necropsy examination and removal of specified tissues
Maintain and regularly update written records and computer databases containing breeding records and duties performed, within specific guidelines. Regular submission of breeding data for ethical review.
About us
Animal Technician
Grade EO (National) - £25,976 to £30,264
UKHSA Porton Down
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 Porton Down 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 37.5 hours per week
We have an exciting opportunity to join one of the two unique non-human primate (NHP) breeding colony facilities based within the High Containment and Biological Services. The Biological Services Group provides high containment in-vivo research services, with the primary aim of protecting the UK public from a range of health risks. Ongoing areas of work include vaccine batch release testing, influenza, COVID-19, tuberculosis, anthrax, and emerging human pathogens.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Skills & experience
Assist with the supervision of junior staff and specific designated areas such as the post-mortem room, 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).
Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
Take part in rota system for weekend and public holiday working and essential out of hours scoring of animals in study.
Complete necessary training to undertake role safely, as identified through the training matrix, in discussion with your line manager and maintain own training record. Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, defra and MHRA.
To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade and comply with UKHSA policies 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. Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.
Other
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 / 1500 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
IAT Membership, level 2 qualification (or equivalent) including HND in Animal Technology
Theoretical and practical training for working in an in-vivo setting
Educated to minimum NVQ level 2 in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent
Significant experience of working in an animal-based environment achieving the highest level of animal welfare and maintaining staff safety
Detailed knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance
Compliance
Desirable
Home Office Personal Licence holder
Study supervision i.e., taking responsibility for discrete packages of work to support research programmes
Performing a range of regulated procedures under the authority of a Home Office licence
Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.
Field 7
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 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.
Field 8
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview.
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: 22nd March 2024
Interviews: w/c 1st April 2024 Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Skills & experience
Assist with the supervision of junior staff and specific designated areas such as the post-mortem room, 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).
Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
Take part in rota system for weekend and public holiday working and essential out of hours scoring of animals in study.
Complete necessary training to undertake role safely, as identified through the training matrix, in discussion with your line manager and maintain own training record. Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, defra and MHRA.
To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade and comply with UKHSA policies 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. Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.
Other
Essential Criteria:
It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 / 1500 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
IAT Membership, level 2 qualification (or equivalent) including HND in Animal Technology
Theoretical and practical training for working in an in-vivo setting
Educated to minimum NVQ level 2 in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent
Significant experience of working in an animal-based environment achieving the highest level of animal welfare and maintaining staff safety
Detailed knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986. Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance
Compliance
Desirable
Home Office Personal Licence holder
Study supervision i.e., taking responsibility for discrete packages of work to support research programmes
Performing a range of regulated procedures under the authority of a Home Office licence
Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.
Field 7
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 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.
Field 8
The Success Profiles framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview.
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: 22nd March 2024
Interviews: w/c 1st April 2024 Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- IAT Membership, level 2 qualification (or equivalent) including HND in Animal Technology
- Theoretical and practical training for working in an in-vivo setting
- Educated to minimum NVQ level 2 in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent
- Significant experience of working in an animal-based environment achieving the highest level of animal welfare and maintaining staff safety
- Detailed knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
- Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- IAT Membership, level 2 qualification (or equivalent) including HND in Animal Technology
- Theoretical and practical training for working in an in-vivo setting
- Educated to minimum NVQ level 2 in a relevant subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent
- Significant experience of working in an animal-based environment achieving the highest level of animal welfare and maintaining staff safety
- Detailed knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986.
- Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance
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).
