Job Description

Technical and Scientific Officer - 30911

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Technical and Scientific Officer - 30911

Number of jobs available
3
Region
East of England
City/Town
Brampton
Grade
Staff Grade 3
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Analytical, Environment & Sustainability, Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
28,607
Closing Date:
18/05/2025, 23:55 hours


Job description attachment 1
Job Profile - 30911.docx - 55KB Opens in a new window


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Job description attachment 2
RL1_CP_Candidate pack additional info G3.docx - 4840KB Opens in a new window


Converted File RL1_CP_Candidate pack additional info G3.docx.pdf - 191KB Opens in a new window
Candidate pack
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Converted File Candidate Pack - 30911.docx.pdf - 718KB Opens in a new window
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
We are seeking Technical and Scientific Officers to join the National Fisheries Laboratory in Brampton, Cambridgeshire. We are a high achieving, innovative national team that contributes to the protection and development of freshwater fisheries across England.

These roles will involve work across several scientific disciplines to help ensure delivery of our services to Environment Agency operational teams and external fisheries customers. We would be particularly interested in hearing from candidates with fish biology / fisheries ecology and / or r diagnostic / research laboratory experience.

Our technical and scientific officers have varied roles and work to the highest standards across a range of laboratory diagnostic areas. This includes supporting fish disease incident investigations, through fish ageing, parasitology, histology, bacteriology, micro-biology and molecular disciplines. They also perform fish health checks and support non-native fish investigations and national fisheries management and development projects.


These roles will support the delivery of our services in the detection, monitoring and management of fish pathogens and non-native fishes, to support our incident response and regulatory responsibilities. Duties are likely to include fish dissection and the collection, management, and preparation of samples for analysis and processing across our state-of-the-art laboratories, as well as the vital reporting elements of our work.


Duties will also likely include operational laboratory support, with responsibilities to maintain accurate records and laboratory supplies, assistance with maintenance and servicing contracts and ensuring laboratory, fish holding and associated waste facilities (i.e. chemical and clinical) are well managed. You will also actively embody the highest standards of health, safety, and wellbeing, in line with EA guidance. You will also be required to support with our incident response responsibilities relating to fish disease and non-native fish species and to support incident response across the business.
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
A background and interest in fish biology/ecology/disease, fisheries management and/or laboratory experience.

You will be self-motivated and organised with excellent attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

You will have demonstrated experience of customer service, will be an excellent communicator with the ability to convey a variety of information to different audiences.


You should be able to prioritise demanding workloads, be comfortable working to tight deadlines, and have a pragmatic approach to achieving objectives.


A strong team ethic is essential, as is an ability to work independently.


Knowledge of one or more of our core disciplines would be of benefit, namely fish ageing, microbiology (bacteriology), molecular diagnostics (nucleic acid handling, PCR, qPCR, sequencing), parasitology, histology and dissection.


Excellent IT skills, you will be able to work across a range of software to communicate, store, analyse and interpret data.

A full UK driving licence would be beneficial.
Contact and additional information
The roles are office and laboratory 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 will also have an incident role and will be expected to support our fisheries 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 have any other questions, please contact the hiring manager John Price at john.price@environment-agency.gov.uk


Interviews are expected to take place mid-June.
Competence 1
Achieves Results
Description
Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be blind assessed and used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Please demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role in your answers.



We are a national team that covers a number of highly specialist areas of work. We have a high output and busy seasonal peaks. As such, the successful candidate will be able to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and within tight deadlines, whilst ensuring their work is of the highest standard. An ability to multi-task is essential. Please provide an example that demonstrates your ability to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and within tight deadlines. Please highlight how you planned and prioritised your work.
Competence 2
Works in Teams
Description
We are a small team with a strong work and team ethic. An ability to work alongside others, to understand and respond to different work pressures, to be flexible in approach, communicate effectively and to provide support to colleagues in a professional, timely and courteous manner is integral to the role. Please provide an example to demonstrate the skills /methods you use to build and sustain effective relationships within your team and / or other teams at work.
Competence 3
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Description
The Fish Health, Ageing and Species team provide technical services on a wide range of subjects, including fish disease, fish ageing, and fisheries management. It is important that the successful applicant has an existing understanding or an interest in developing skills in relation to these areas, with knowledge of fish biology, fish ecology, fisheries management and our diagnostic areas being integral to this. Please provide an example where you have applied your scientific and technical knowledge and experience.

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.