Support Technician

Job overview

Based at one of the two unique Non-Human Primate (NHP) breeding colony facilities the Support Technician role is key in providing high quality animal care and environmental enrichment for the NHPs. 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, Performing animal Husbandry and ensuring the environment is clean and enriched, and that the 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. Situated near Salisbury, site access requirements stipulate that our employees must be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years.

Main duties of the job

• Work with the Colonies team performing routine animal husbandry, continually striving to maintain the highest standards of care and welfare of all NHPs. 2. 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. 3. Contribute to study work completed at the colonies including those using infection agents at ACDP containment level 2 and 3, undertaking associated safety precautions. 4. Support with basic post-mortem examination and removal of specified tissue. 5. Work with a variety of bespoke caging systems used at the colonies. 6. Support the development, implementation and maintenance of environmental enrichment to enhance the wellbeing of the NHPs. 7. Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines. 8. Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments. 9. 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). 10. 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.

Detailed job description and main responsibilities

Essential criteria

• Good general education including a scientific subject (GCSE level)
• Educated to NVQ 2 level in an animal care subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven animal care experience.
• Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to keep detailed and accurate records
• Familiar with the concepts surrounding the decontamination and sterilisation of facilities equipment and waste.
• To be able to communicate effectively with peers, managers and scientists.
• Ability to prioritise work
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office programmes
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Willingness to undergo vaccinations as determined by project work
• Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance
• Able to travel independently to work
• Available to work weekends / bank holiday
• Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes

Desirable criteria:

• National Certificate in Animal Technology
• Theoretical and practical training for working at ACDP CL3 in an in-vivo setting

Selection Process Details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours 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 14 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,000 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria

• Good general education including a scientific subject (GCSE level)
• Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a single face to face Interview at UKHSA Porton. (In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours and Technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together - Lead behaviour
• Delivering at Pace

Interview dates are 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.

Location

This role is being offered as lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton. No hybrid working is available.

When based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. 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 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check.

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 Criteria – External This vacancy is open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service as well as internal applicants.

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.

Please be aware that the salary is based on the office location.

Administrative Officer (AO)

• £25,651-£27,220 (National)