Job Description

Details

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Reference number

436228

Salary

29,613 - 30,266
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP

Job grade

Administrative Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Colindale, London

About the job

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Job summary

The 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-cyclable 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 on-site 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.
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Working for your organisation

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.

Job description

This position sits in the Production and Dispatch section. The role will have key responsibilities in the production, preparation and processing of microbiological growth media and/or ancillary reagents in various containers, keeping a clear audit trial of materials used and activities performed. The work involves a lot of repetitive and manual handling activities like weighing, dispensing, pouring, labelling and packing.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

To prepare microbiological media following Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) or work instructions To assist in running autoclaves (large and small scale) for the sterilisation of media products and equipment To assist with placement of products in the stores/cold room areas Keep full and accurate records of work performed and archive administrative documentation as required following local procedures To always work in accordance with the detailed and appropriate Safety regulations and guidance To ensure all equipment used in the preparation of media is well maintained and cleaned Work with engineers when servicing laboratory equipment, when asked to by line management Support trainees as required in activities and delegated by local management team Take responsibility for checklists of routine daily tasks such as area and equipment cleaning, servicing, and quality control checks Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of the premises and equipment by taking responsibility for the set-up and smooth running of equipment used and assist in problem solving issues for both equipment and procedures To work with line management and senior management to ensure risk assessments and SOPs are up to date To ensure waste is cleared from the area on a regular basis Ensure sufficient media stocks are available for customers Take part in stock take activities ie physical stock take or updating stock records Assist with the delivering of products produced to relevant laboratories To work flexibly to assist the needs of the team. To support colleagues in other sections of the department to ensure services provided are running smoothly

Other

The above is only an outline of the task, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will be expected to carry out any other duties as may reasonable be required by the local management team or directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

Health & Safety and Security

Participate in internal and external safety audits if required. To wear suitable protective personal equipment in accordance with departmental and UKHSA Protective Personal Equipment policy. Co-operate with risk assessment discussions associated/linked with equipment/processes involved in to ensure control measures considered are fit for purpose and understood. Co-operate with the implementation of corrective actions as a result of safety inspections/audits. Co-operate on matters of health and safety to enable UKHSA to comply with its health and safety responsibilities. Follow UKHSA health and safety policies, procedures COSHH and risk assessments and maintain a safe working environment. Complete all mandatory Health and Safety Training as required in a timely manner. Notify any accidents, incidents or near misses, dangerous situations or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions via the appropriate management system and structure. Your attention is drawn to the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974 which requires you to take reasonable care for the health and safety of yourself and others who may be affected by your acts and omissions at work; and co-operate with the UKHSA on any matters of health and safety.

Quality In collaboration with the Management and Quality Team:

Maintain a high standard of work, and work with others to improve working practices so that service delivery is safe, effective and economical and follows best practice. Participate in internal and external audits if required.
Take every effort to suggest quality improvements to develop the service and report any non-conformances.
Follow all procedures, policies, rules, regulations and guidelines for all activities to ensure products meet the required standard. Complete documentation and records accurately and to a high standard. Work to current regulatory requirements ensuring the workplace is maintained in a compliant state following Standard Operating Procedures and Codes of Practice.

Personal & People development

Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Develop and train in other activities across the department as deemed suitable for the grade. Develop and maintain good working relationships with staff. Maintain continual professional development and be aware of relevant developments. Complete all corporate mandatory training as required in a timely manner.

This is not an exhaustive list.

Person specification

Essential role criteria

Education to GCSE level or equivalent with Maths and English (Grade C or above), or equivalent experience in aligned field (i.e. food production environment, pharmaceutical production environment or healthcare environment ie hospital sterile services) Suitable relevant experience in production environment: production of food, production of reagents; production of microbiological growth media Able to follow processes and procedures Able to work to deadlines Attention to detail - accurate record keeping using both written and electronic means Cleanliness to catering and / hospital standard Able to undertake regular and repetitive Manual Handling activities. This includes moving and lifting loads of approx. 10kg Able to work as part of a team Ability to problem solve

Desirable role criteria:

Experience of operating large-scale equipment ie autoclaves (850L) / similar equipment

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 29,613, UK Health Security Agency contributes 8,578 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (9) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 1200 word supporting statement.

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


The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.


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.

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

The following will be taken through to the next stage:

Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

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

Suitable relevant experience in production environment: production of food, production of reagents; production of microbiological growth media Education to GCSE level or equivalent with Maths and English (Grade C or above), or equivalent experience in aligned field (i.e. food production environment, pharmaceutical production environment or healthcare environment ie hospital sterile services) Able to undertake regular and repetitive Manual Handling activities. This includes moving and lifting loads of approx. 10kg

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


Please do not exceed 1200 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview.


Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.


The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

Communicating and Influencing Working Together Managing a Quality Service - Lead behaviour Working at Pace

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 a lab based at our site in Colindale, London. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.


If based at one of our labs, 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.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.


The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring 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 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.

Eligibility Criteria - External

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

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.


You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.


Link below:


Artificial intelligence and recruitment , Civil Service Careers

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant's personal details - name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

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



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 .



See our vetting charter .
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) 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .
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.

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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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

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Job contact :

Name : Gurkamal Bhambra Email : gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.


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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk