Job Description

Details

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Reference number

431243
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Salary

25,651 - 27,220
per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Administrative Officer###

Contract type

Permanent###

Business area

Science###

Type of role

Science###

Working pattern

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

Number of jobs available

3

Contents

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

Location

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This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in York - York Biotech Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ.




Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

About the job

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Job summary

The Food, Water and Environmental Microbiology Services (FWEMS) Laboratories are specialist microbiology laboratories within the UKHSA. Based in 3 sites across the country, the laboratories are geographically well placed to work with local authorities to protect the public from health threats posed by contaminated food, water and the environment. The York FWEMS Laboratory provides a microbiology testing and advisory service to Local Authorities, Port Health Authorities, hospitals and commercial clients across the region. The laboratory is accredited to ISO 17025 and is recognised as an Official Laboratory for the microbiological examination of food and foodstuffs within the EU.



The post holder will provide a range of routine tasks, including sample reception and preparation and will work as part of a team to perform routine examination of samples and update laboratory IT systems.



The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Internal

Laboratory Management Team Laboratory staff across the FWEMS Service Other laboratory staff throughout UKHSA

External

Local and Port Health Authorities Commercial Customers Professional Contacts including UKAS

There are 3 positions available, 1 is part-time - up to 27.75 hours per week.

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.


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

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Job description

Service Delivery

Contribute to the provision of an analytical microbiology service for food, water and environmental samples. Under supervision, assist in the receipt of samples into the laboratory and complete pre-analysis processing of specimens. Work as part of a team to undertake routine preparation and examination of a wide range of samples under supervision. Become competent in the use of laboratory equipment including balances and pipettes. Re-stock laboratory consumables, sterile equipment and glassware. Assist with waste disposal following local procedures. Respond to requests and accurately communicate information and results to other laboratory staff, as required. Refer queries to other, more senior staff, as appropriate.

Quality Management Systems

Participate in activities necessary for the maintenance and development of the Quality System in accordance with UKAS requirements. Support the laboratory's accreditation to ISO 17025 and ensure compliance with UKAS and other accreditation and certification standards.

Asset Management

Ensure efficient running and contribute to routine maintenance of all equipment, which will include high cost, complex equipment requiring calibration and regular maintenance. Take responsibility for stock control in the FWEMS laboratory, ensuring sufficient stock levels are maintained for efficient service provision. Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of laboratory premises and equipment in order to ensure efficient and safe operation.

Strategy, Policy and Service Development

Support the implementation of new methods and technologies into the laboratory, in order to maximise quality and efficiency of testing. Support appropriate income generation activities for the laboratory, in accordance with the National FWEMS objectives, in conjunction with the Laboratory Management Team.

IT Infrastructure

Become competent in the use of the laboratory's IT systems and participate in the basic inputting of data into the system.

Security/Health and Safety

Ensure confidentiality and conformity to the requirements of the Data Protection Act, Caldicott principles and the Laboratory Information Systems and Technology Security policy. Ensure that health and safety are afforded priority and to demonstrate commitment to health, safety and welfare of self, staff and visitors. Ensure attendance of self and managed staff on safety training courses as required in the UKHSA Health and Safety Training Policy and other safety policies as appropriate. Agree to implement safety objectives. Ensure that a Laboratory/Office Safety Code is implemented. Ensure that risk assessments are implemented and maintained. Report risks that cannot be controlled to the Laboratory Manager. Notify accidents, near misses, dangerous situations and shortcomings in health and safety via the appropriate management structure.

Please note: The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA. It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

Professional Development

Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with your line manager through appraisal / individual development plan. Attending internal / external training events. Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training. ###

Person specification

Essential criteria:

Previous experience of working in a laboratory or administrative environment using computerised data systems. Working knowledge of Microsoft Office including Word and Excel. Well-developed physical skills including manual dexterity. Clear communicator with good writing, data entry and telephone skills ensuring accuracy. Ability to work effectively as part of a team. Problem solving skills. Demonstrate a high level of motivation and commitment to high standards. Good time keeping. Flexible approach to work. An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Good standard of general education i.e. GCSE's (grade C or above) in English, maths and science, or equivalent level of qualification, or significant equivalent previous proven experience working in a laboratory setting

Desirable criteria:

Knowledge and understanding of laboratory safety requirements and procedures. Previous experience of working in a laboratory. Experience of managing and communicating sensitive/confidential information.

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 25,651, UK Health Security Agency contributes 7,431 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

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 11 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 750 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.


Your supporting statement must be no more than

750 words

.


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.


The Application form and supporting statement 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

Those falling in the 'Meets

all

essential criteria' pile will progress to shortlisting.


Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Shortlisting:

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

Good standard of general education i.e. GCSE's (grade C or above) in English, maths and science, or equivalent level of qualification, or significant equivalent previous proven experience working in a laboratory setting

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

Success profiles

You will be invited to a face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.


Behaviours and Strengths will be tested at interview.


The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

Delivering at Pace

(Lead behaviour)

Working Together Developing Self and Others Managing a Quality Service

Interviews dates are yet 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in York - York Biotech Campus, Sand Hutton, York, YO41 1LZ.


Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

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.


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


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.

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.

A

r

tificial 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 security 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
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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 : Carmelita Goodwin Email : carmelita.goodwin@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