Job responsibilities
- 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.
- Work with a variety of bespoke caging systems used at the colonies.
- 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).
- Ensure equipment used within the colonies is maintained, serviceable and in date for use at all times, reporting faults as identified and moving equipment as required by projects.
- 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 and MHRA.
- To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.
- Complete necessary training to undertake role safely, as identified through the training matrix and in discussion with your line manager and maintain own training record.
- To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1).
- To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade.
- To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures.
Essential Criteria
- GCSEs or equivalent qualification in Science, Maths and English
- Educated to NVQ 2 level in animal care/welfare (or equivalent level of qualification) OR significant equivalent previous proven experience.
- Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team and communicate effectively with peers, managers and scientists.
- Ability to keep detailed and accurate records
- An understanding of the requirement to continually review processes with the aim to improve animal welfare through refinement of husbandry.
- Ability to prioritise work
- Experience of using Microsoft Office programs
- Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance
- Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships, both in terms of day-to-day working practices, but also in relation to management systems
Desirable Criteria
- Familiar with the concepts surrounding the decontamination and sterilisation of facilities equipment and waste.
Selection Process Details:
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Success Profiles - GOV.UK
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 10 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
- 750 word supporting statement.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.
Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If longlisting is used, the piles 'meets all essential criteria' and 'meets some essential criteria' will proceed to shortlisting.
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may complete an initial sift on the lead criteria of:
- Educated to NVQ 2 level in animal care/welfare (or equivalent level of qualification) OR significant equivalent previous proven experience.
Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount of successful candidates.
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview
Success profiles
You will be invited to a single face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Behaviours and technical skills will be assessed at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Working together
- Working at pace
Interview dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Selection Process
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Location
This role is based at our Scientific Campus at Porton. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
For this role you will require Security Check clearance. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years as the role requires Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Eligibility CriteriaExternal: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants). Face to Face Interviews
In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.Salary Information
If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.
