Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location New Haw, South East England, KT15 3NB About the job Job summary The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice, and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy. The postholder will be fulfilling the role of post-mortem technician within the high disease containment post-mortem facility at Weybridge ensuring that animal welfare, bio-safety, bio-security/SAPO, health and safety, and quality procedures are adhered to and to comply with Home Office requirements in relation to A(SP)A. The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes. Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility? Do you have excellent communication skills? Do you thrive in a fast-paced, changing environment? Do you enjoy working to tight deadlines? I f so, we would love to hear from you This role is a unique development opportunity. It is an ideal position for able and ambitious candidates who are looking to expand and refine their skill set in a demanding environment. Job description The postholder will provide support for the ante and post-mortem examination of large animals and poultry through the sampling, and humane euthanasia of livestock using appropriate methods. You will also assist with the location/sampling of tissues as required by experimental protocols and the safe transfer and submission of samples from the PM room to the relevant laboratory facilities. As part of the role, you will be expected to maintain the high standards for health and safety requirements within the department and implement APHA policies to ensure required compliance of containment facilities and staff. You will act as a role model and ensure that all required staff training is undertaken. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: Perform ante and post-mortem examination and tissue sampling procedures on a range of livestock species in specialist high biocontainment facilities (ACDP3/SAPO4) including humane euthanasia of livestock using a range of methods, home office licensed procedures (e.g. blood sampling) under A(SP)A, and preparation, cleaning and disinfection of post- mortem facilities and equipment. Assist with the management of the post-mortem facility booking system, provide supervision and training for staff (all grades) who are undertaking biocontainment training or working within the facility. Collection, unloading and storage of animals, equipment and consumables. Support the building officer by acting as Deputy Building Officer assisting in the monitoring of the facility operational parameters and liaising with the facilities service provider and external equipment and facility maintenance contractors. Undertake deputy NACWO (Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer) responsibilities for the facility, raising any animal welfare concerns with the local NACWO. Line and/or functional management of staff, supervision of students, visitors and contractors within high containment areas, as required. Maintain knowledge of APHA's diversity policy and implement it within the team. Management of laboratory and facility equipment, including calibration, monitoring and routine maintenance. Maintenance and updating of local computer-based sample management systems in compliance with Quality accreditation. Perform all duties in accordance with Pathology & APHA Safety and Quality Policies including GLP, ISO17025, ISO9001, EURL procedures. Review, write/edit local SOPs, risk assessments and participate in Quality and safety audits. Performance of Room Officer duties including ensuring the work environment is clean, tidy and professionally managed. Person specification Experience and skills: You will need to demonstrate the following: Experience in animal euthanasia and dissection/butchery skills. BTEC HNC/BSc degree or equivalent technical qualifications in biological/biomedical/bioveterinary science. Able to use common software applications. You will require manual dexterity in order to use scalpels, forceps, and other dissection tools. Ability to stand at a bench for 4 hours per day. Ability to comfortably navigate step-over barriers. Other Information The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. Depending on the areas of work involved you will be expected to have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment. The work of the post can be physically demanding, and due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able. Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, will apply. The successful candidate should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry. Periodic travel within the UK or overseas may be required and this could include visits to farms, abattoir or other post mortem facilities. The successful candidate may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting these premises, and may therefore preclude anyone who lives on a livestock farm. Qualifications BTEC HNC/BSc degree or equivalent technical qualifications in biological/biomedical/bioveterinary science Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Communicating and Influencing Managing a Quality Service We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Making Effective Decisions Delivering at Pace Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: Practical knowledge of the control of spread of infectious disease and the importance and use of disinfectants and protective clothing and other control measures. Benefits Alongside your salary of £32,220, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £9,334 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training as inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time if accumulated), three paid volunteering day per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack. Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role. Ways of Working The post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. The role is based at Weybridge where the team is located and due to the nature of the role and duties required. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak. Staff maybe required to work weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings in the event of an incident or disease outbreak. In the event of this you may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. Pension and Financial Benefits Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package and there are various options including Alpha and Partnership pension schemes in which Defra can invest in providing a contribution to the cost of your pension. Life Assurance: if you become too ill or die before retirement valuable benefits will be provided to you and your family. Learning and Development Access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development through Civil Service Learning. Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering. Staff Wellbeing Access to Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7, providing advice and guidance on both personal and employment issues such as personal wellbeing, career development, legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes. Access to the Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Sports Council. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. Application Process As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV in the provided template and as well as a 500-word personal statement describing how you match the skills and experience detailed. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of each of the criteria in your application form and at the interview. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form. Sift Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour, Making Effective Decisions. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview. Sift and interview dates to be confirmed. Interview If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Technical skill and Experience. Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview. A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed. Location As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s). Where the location is National the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defras location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee. Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD. The role is based at Weybridge where the team is located and due to the nature of the role and duties required. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak. Full Time Only This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. We may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share. Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call upon in an event of an outbreak. Reserve List A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made. Salary New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. Visa Sponsorship Statement Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship. Reasonable Adjustment If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes. If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should: Contact Government Recruitment Service via grscabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs. Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional. Accessibility If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section. Criminal Record Check If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out. In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading. Internal Fraud Database Check Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government. NSV For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting Higher Security Clearance Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer. The site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all potholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK & have between 3 to 10 years continuous UK residency depending on the level of Security. Childcare Vouchers Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Medical Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). 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 also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Jade Gandhi Email : jade.gandhiapha.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : defrarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk Further information 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: Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grscabinetoffice.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/contact-us/ to visit Civil Service Commission. Attachments EO_2247 JD Opens in new window (doc, 180kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail