Job Description

Quality Technical Specialist - 32795

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Quality Technical Specialist - 32795

Number of jobs available
1
Region
East of England
City/Town
Brampton
Building/Site
DEFRA GRP EA BRAMPTON OFFICE, PE28 4NE
Grade
Staff Grade 5
Post Type
Fixed Term
Role Type
Operational Delivery, Quality
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
43,198 Pro Rata
Closing Date:
01/02/2026, 23:55 hours


Job description attachment 1
TSS05 Technical & Scientific Services, Grade 5


Candidate pack
Candidate Pack - 32795.docx - 2043KB Opens in a new window


Converted File Candidate Pack - 32795.docx.pdf - 720KB Opens in a new window
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
The Environment Agency's Monitoring Laboratories (ML) are seeking a Quality Technical Specialist to implement a Quality Management System (QMS) within our National Fisheries Laboratory (NFL) at Brampton, Cambridgeshire.



You will work alongside a team of technical specialists and delivery leads to understand quality gaps and scope requirements to lead on the integration and implementation of a QMS to align with existing Monitoring Laboratories systems.



You will deliver a programme of works to enable the NFL to meet agreed quality standards, ensuring that the QMS supports analytical work processes and meets the level of quality specified by our customers, and to the requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 standards.



You will work alongside the diagnostic specialists for fish health, ageing and species to ensure that the data they produce is fit for the purpose it is being used, specifically in relation to controlled pathogens and species.



You will be the point of contact with the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) to understand requirements to achieving accreditation.



You will be part of the NFL leadership team and Monitoring Laboratories Quality Management Advisory Group and will have links to other groups within DEFRA and beyond. You will implement management procedures and assure that accurate management data is available to the NFL and ML management teams.



You will have a key role in interpreting quality requirements and implementing quality systems to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard and integrating these changes within our processes. You should be able to balance the quality requirements with needs of the customer to ensure that our reputation as a leading laboratory is maintained.



Finally, responding to incidents is a central part of what we do. You will be required to have an incident role and make yourself available to respond to incidents or provide business continuity support during an incident.



The team
National experts, the NFL protect the environment from risks associated with fish disease and non-native fish species, our work also directly contributes to the organisation's monitoring and regulation of fish and fisheries. We identify, monitor and limit the impact of current and future threats to fisheries and the aquatic environment through the delivery of post-mortem and laboratory diagnostics (parasitology, bacteriology, histology, molecular, ageing) and the provision of technical advice and guidance to inform our regulations.
Experience/skills required
within a laboratory-based environment (ideally ISO/IEC 17025), experience of implementing quality systems is desirable. You will have excellent communication and project management skills. You will have the influencing skills to persuade others to focus on efficiency, innovation, and quality and to embrace change. You will be able to build and sustain relationships with key people inside and outside the organisation and be able to coach others. You will be efficient at problem solving and data analysis and management, an understanding of statistical analysis is desirable. You will need to be highly motivated and organised and be able to work within and across teams and deliver results through others. You will also be able to understand the needs of our customers and place them at the heart of what you do.
Contact and additional information
The role will be place based, situated within the National Fisheries Laboratory, Brampton, Cambridgeshire. Occasional travel for meetings and site visits may be required.


We operate a 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday service. You may also have an incident role to support our incident response service, which may on occasion be outside of these hours.


We are fully committed to being an inclusive employer and ensuring equal opportunities for everyone. We offer flexible working as well as a host of other employee benefits. For further information please download the candidate pack.


If you are interested in this role but have questions prior to applying, please contact Emma Nolan by email on emma.nolan@environment-agency.gov.uk.


Interviews are expected to take place early February



Length of contract
Up to 18 months
Competence 1
Quality Procedures
Description
Give an example of when you have improved Laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures

.
Competence 2
Builds and Sustains Relationships
Description
Tell us about a time you have had to build and maintain a relationship that was key to delivering an important goal.
Competence 3
Shapes organisational approach & delivery
Description
Give an example where you have used a quality system to meet the aims of an organisation.
Competence 4
Leads People
Description
Give an example where you have had to lead several different groups of people through a diverse range of quality related situations to reach a common goal.

If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.

We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.

We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.

The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know

for more information.

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. Although the Environment Agency is a non-departmental public body sponsored by Defra, we subscribe to and align with the candidate guidance on the use of artificial intelligence found on the

Civil Service Careers website

. Please review for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.