About the job

Job summary

We are looking for a Biological Safety Officer and an Advisor,  do you have a background in Biological, General, Chemistry or Safety Assurance? if so, we want to hear from you!!

In these roles you will work with the best and give your best, providing critical health & safety advice and have the opportunity to make a real difference to the defence and security of the UK.

You will work closely with those across Chemical, Biological & Radiological (CBR) to promote the culture of continuous improvement relating to project delivery and in the infrastructure and workplaces in which our staff operate.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

In these roles you will:

At Level 5:

• Provide effective and timely advice to staff on the management of biological materials (i.e. pathogens (HG1-2) animals, toxins) and will encompass: the writing and review of policies, guidance, local rules, risk assessments, SOPs and reviewing control measures to ensure their effectiveness.
• Support knowledge sharing of changes to relevant legislation, codes of practice or guidance that affect Dstl biological activities.
• Review and maintain relevant sections of the Dstl Management System (as requested)
• Provide professional opinion on the suitability of facilities and to deliver towards an effective risk based auditing and inspection routine of biological facilities.
• As part of the team; review and deliver an effective training programme for staff involved in activities using hazardous biological materials.
• Advise on emergency arrangements for incidents involving biological materials, reviewing the adequacy of plan validation and in the event of an incident provide technical support to safely manage the effects of that incident.
• Monitor incidents relating to biological materials or their facilities, providing advice and support for investigations into incidents involving biological materials as required.

At Level 6 you will:

• Direct the provision of effective and timely advice to staff on the management of biological materials (i.e. pathogens (HG1-4) animals and toxins) and will encompass the review of policies, guidance, local rules, risk assessment and reviewing control measures to ensure their effectiveness.
• Advise the Chief Safety Officer, Head of Safety, Division Heads and Chairs of relevant Safety Technical Authorities of any changes to relevant legislation, codes of practice or guidance that effect Dstl activities and to propose an effective course of action where necessary.
• Provide a professional opinion on the suitability of proposed facilities and as part of a team develop, agree and implement an effective risk based auditing and inspection routine of biological facilities.
• Monitor incidents relating to biological materials or their facilities, providing advice and trend analysis, to promote lesson sharing and learning across the organisation. Provide the technical lead for investigations into incidents involving biological materials as required.
• Advise on emergency plans for incidents involving biological materials and in the event of an incident to provide leadership and technical support to safely manage the effects of that incident.
• Advise on (and where appropriate deliver) an effective training programme for staff involved in activities using hazardous biological materials.
• Develop and maintain an understanding of national and international best practice in the field of Biological Safety.
• Work closely with an established BSO in a team of safety professionals.
• Mentor Biological Safety Advisors to develop their knowledge and skills.
• Deputise for the established BSO

Please see Job descriptions at the bottom of the page for the full role responsibilities.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• Practical experience with working with biological materials (e.g. pathogens, or toxins), preferably in microbiological containment laboratories.
• A good understanding of COSHH Regulations and the principles of hierarchy of control specifically the use of primary and secondary containment systems;
• An understanding of the legal framework surrounding use of biological materials (e.g. GMO (Contained Use) regulations, SAPO, ACDP guidance etc.).
• A desire to motivate Dstl to be as safe as it can be when working with hazardous biological materials, or in containment facilities, and to showcase our abilities;
• The ability to inspire and effect positive change, communicate messages to multiple audiences with credibility;
• The ability to quickly develop good working relationships with a variety of people;
• Tact and diplomacy in dealing with a wide range of issues/challenges;
• Ability to handle conflicting priorities successfully delivering to changing requirements;
• Deliver internal training and development for others as well as undertake in their own CPD.

For the level 6 role:

Leadership

As a leader in Defence you will help shape, role model and bring to life the ‘One Defence’ mindset that will enable us to deliver our vision and strategic objectives. Your leadership style must be inspiring, confident and empowering. Working at every level of our organisation to break down silos, unite teams and create a culture that is trusting, collaborative, innovative, diverse and inclusive. Enabling us to deliver with pace and agility through the skills, commitment and empowerment of our employees and military colleagues.

Please see full job descriptions at the bottom of the page for full role responsibilities 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,970, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £9,711 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.   

Sifting will take place once the vacancy closes with interviews being held in early to mid June

Interviews will include a presentation to include an Introduction about your career: Highlighting your relevant experience, what can you bring to Dstl to enhance our continuous safety improvement?

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 security 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.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

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.