Job Description

The role will have key responsibilities in the ordering, receipt, packing and unpacking of material received and produced by the department, and preparing shipments for on/off-site dispatch. Keeping a clear audit trial of the goods movement. The work involves frequent handling of bulk material and the regular use of a palette truck.



The role will also involve providing assistance and support to key safety critical activities associated with waste processing and product production, working flexibly to assist with the needs of the department.

Media Services comprises of two sections:

Central Technical Discard (CTD) is responsible for laboratory waste management and the sterilisation of products and consumables on the Colindale site. This service involves the collection of contaminated Category 2 laboratory waste from agreed central locations, its transportation to the Media Services central autoclave suite and its thermal destruction. There is also a service for the processing of Category 3 waste with dedicated laboratories. The treated material is then processed; glass and other re-cycleable material is washed, in the department's wash-up area, and waste material for disposal off-site is processed and/or packaged appropriately for collection.



Production and Dispatch is responsible for the production of ready-to-use culture media and ancillary reagents and its distribution to laboratories for application in public health, clinical microbiology, food microbiology or for industrial uses. The team also provides a distributor function for the ordering, receipt and distribution of commercial pre-poured media plates required by laboratories on-site.



We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.



UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.



Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers



To assist management staff / work colleagues / customers / visitors with administrative enquiries.



Check items in use, or on receipt, are correct and in good condition.



Assist with logging and receipting of external orders.



Record, check and stock incoming media orders.



Record the internally produced stock stored in the media warehouse.



Keep full and accurate records of work performed and archive administrative documentation as required following local procedures.



Carry out routine stock takes of the media warehouse.



Order and receipt media supplies using relevant software systems.



Pick and pack orders for internal and external customers.



Construct palette shipments for collection and delivery to external customers.



Using a manual hand pallet truck; move bulk material required or outgoing palette shipments to the required locations for use or collection for delivery.



Deliver orders to internal customers in a safe manner.



Ensure the media warehouse area is maintained ie kept clean and clutter free.



Assist in the running of large-scale autoclaves for waste processing and/or product sterilisation in the department.



Assist in general product capping, packing and labelling activities in the department when required.



Support trainees in activities as directed and delegated by local management team.



Work flexibly to assist the needs of the team and requirements of local line management.



Please see the job description for the full list of responsibilities and duties.



Essential Criteria



Education to GCSE level or equivalent with Maths and English (Grade C or above), or equivalent experience in aligned field (i.e. catering, food production environment, pharmaceutical production environment or warehouse/dispatch environment)



Suitable relevant experience of either lab work, customer service, food production or catering



Experience with building/constructing palettes & moving palettes using a palette truck



Excellent communication skills



Able to work as part of a team



Able to follow processes and procedures



Able to work to deadlines



Accurate record keeping using both written and electronic means



Able to undertake regular manual handling activities, including moving and lifting loads of up to approx.10kg



Working experience with software packages, including Microsoft Office



An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships



Selection Process



This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your qualifications, knowledge and experience and / or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

Stage 1:

Application & Sift



You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:



Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application)



800 word Statement of Suitability.



This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.



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.



The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

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



Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:



Experience with building/constructing palettes & moving palettes using a palette truck



If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.



Please do not exceed 800 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.



Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2:

Interview



You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to consider remote interviews.



Knowledge, experience, skills and abilities will be tested at interview.



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 Colindale, London. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.



Eligibility Criteria



Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).



Security Clearance Level Requirement



Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.



Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-terrorist 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 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) 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.