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 2,000 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 Weybridge site is undergoing a major structural transformation with new high tech animal facilities being constructed to support ongoing and new projects in the years to come.

This advertised role is to join the Animal Sciences team of 50 multidisciplined technicians, vets, and administrative staff. The department is responsible for delivering animal studies that inform Defra policy, advance scientific understanding and improve animal welfare in the UK and beyond.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of APHA during the Science Capability for Animal Health development. Animal Technicians at APHA have the unique opportunity to specialise in a wide variety of roles, ranging from low to high containment, and from small animals to livestock.

This is a great opportunity to further your career if you have a keen interest in animals and animal science. We have a variety of training opportunities available to support your career at APHA. We are after individuals with a passion for working with animals and promoting their welfare.

Job description

Animal Science and Research

They will work as part of a team with veterinary, scientific and technical staff to deliver a wide range of animal science projects involving a range of important and zoonotic pathogens (eg Influenza, TB, TSE, and other viral or bacterial or parasitic agents) in farmed livestock, poultry or small animals. The jobholder will lead in the planning, execution and conduct of studies being carried out various project licences assuring compliance, staffing and timely execution as well as support other project work carried out in their area. Research contribution will primarily be to develop methods which minimise animal suffering and improve welfare, refine all aspects of animal use and performance of scientific procedures. The jobholder should have a good understanding of data managing software (MS Word, Outlook, Excel) and have a basic understanding of statistical analysis.

They will be responsible for livestock, rodent and specialist biocontainment facilities, develop specialist knowledge and expertise, perform regulated scientific procedures, develop species specialism and environmental enrichment. They may be required to become a Home Office Project Licence Holder and assist in animal project or contract management, data analysis and delivery. They may be required to act as an Animal Sciences On-Call Officer on a duty rota (no more than 1 week in 10) for out of working hours support response to the Department. They will perform and supervise daily husbandry and care of animals in allocated areas, ensuring that relevant documentation is in place and may also be required to assist at post-mortems.

Staff, Facility and Resource Management:

The post holder will be allocated an animal facility area and staffing – and will be expected to work in a range of areas and facilities including high disease biocontainment (up to ACDP3/SAPO4). The posts provide management and direction to APHA’s Animal technicians and support staff within the allocated area, line management of staff assigned to work in their areas, functional management of visitors, others working in the facility and supervision of scientific staff and contract staff as appropriate. Participation in staff utilisation meetings to ensure efficient use of resources, succession planning and developing skills, specialism and flexibility across teams. Building/Facility Officer duties including liaison with the maintenance providers to ensure the appropriate monitoring and maintenance of plant including generators, water testing, alarm systems, Building Management Systems and biocontainment controls. The postholder will be responsible for effective use of resources (staff, time, consumables etc) in their area and for effective management oversight of this.

BioEthics, Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB):

The postholder is expected to be an active member of the AWERB, participating in committee meetings (shared between all HEO level posts) as well have input into project licence applications and study reviews with regards to the 3Rs. They will act as Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) and become a Home Office Personal Licence holder. They must support the senior NACWO in producing the NACWO report for the committee. They will coach junior NACWOs with regards to AWERB documentation review and advise them on the 3Rs. Provide leadership and implementation of APHA’s Animal Welfare Standards, interacting with scientists and Named people and be proactive in raising any animal welfare concerns. The postholder will develop a thorough knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act including the Code of Practice; inspect animal facilities regularly and advise scientists and others on the compliance under ASPA and the CoP and be responsible for ensuring study pre-start meetings are carried out and the relevant documentation is completed.

Communication:

The postholder will be required to have excellent communication skills liaising with a diverse range of people, using all modern communication tools, in writing and verbally. They will use electronic communication tools, including online diaries, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Access. They will liaise frequently with the other managers and contribute to building a strong team. On rotation, they act as Chairperson for team meetings and are required to be a proactive member of the ASU management team and contribute effectively.

Safety:

The postholder is responsible for safety and biocontainment in their areas. They will ensure that adequate training and planning for response to emergency scenarios are in place; actively participate in safety inspections and audits. Ensure that appropriate documentation (e.g. Risk assessments, SOPs and log books) are in place. The postholder will be a Departmental Safety Advisor for their area and work closely with the Departmental Safety Officer on safety matters. They will participate in inspections and ensure deadlines for closing actions are met. Provide suitable and sufficient information for all staff using the facility. Provide ad hoc monitoring of staff working in their facility and immediately advise senior management of any concerns. This might include non-compliance with APHA H&S Policy, SOPs and Risk Assessments.

Quality:

The postholder is required to maintain appropriate competence, write and review SOPs and ensure quality compliance in their areas in liaison with the Local Quality Manager and Quality Services Unit. They will participate in internal audits and external inspections, and ensure deadlines for closing actions are met, ensure servicing and calibration of equipment, and arrange for the decontamination and removal of broken or unsafe items and registering new equipment on databases. Required to respond to building and equipment alarms including out of hours as appropriate.

Staff will be required to work rostered on-call duties, weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.

Person specification

Experience

• Full Driving Licence
• Good Written and Spoken English.
• Knowledge of working in biocontainment is beneficial.
• Animal Science degree or substantial experience in Animal Science industry.
• Home Office Personal Licence is beneficial.

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture - Sift
• Working Together – Sift
• Developing Self and Others - Sift and Interview
• Managing a Quality Service - Sift and Interview

Technical

Specialist Expertise

• Presentation to panel

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,857, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £9,681 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, Strengths and Experience.

Application Process

You will be asked to complete a comprehensive CV in the provided template. Please ensure this is completed in good time before moving on to complete the rest of the application. You also be required to give a 500-word personal statement stating how you match the essential skills and experience in the application form and 2 behaviours.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

Sift

Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.

Interview
As part of the assessment process you will be asked to give examples of Behaviours using Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) and Strengths. Those invited to interviews will also give a presentation.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be locationable 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 Defra’s 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.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

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 defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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 you’re 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.grs@cabinetoffice.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 applicant’s 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.

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. 

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. 

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.

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.