Senior Animal Technologist (ID4838)

Job summary

Are you someone who can lead and manage successfully in a challenging and dynamic environment? Do you have the ability to influence others and guide your team in a shared strategy?

The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is an executive agency of the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, and works on behalf of the Scottish Government and Welsh Government. Our diverse teams of over 3,000 skilled and committed professionals come together to provide research, advice and support to UK Government for safeguarding animal, public and plant health for benefit of the environment and economy.

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions.

We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

The Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.

This advertised role is to join the Animal Sciences team of 50 multidisciplined technicians, vets, and administrative staff. The department is responsible for delivering animal studies that inform Defra policy, advance scientific understanding and improve animal welfare in the UK and beyond.

This is an exciting opportunity to shape the future of APHA during the Science Capability for Animal Health development. Animal Technicians at APHA have the unique opportunity to specialise in a wide variety of roles, ranging from low to high containment, and from small animals to livestock.

This is a great opportunity to further your career if you have a keen interest in animals and animal science. We have a variety of training opportunities available to support your career at APHA. We are after individuals with a passion for working with animals and promoting their welfare.

Job description

This is a senior animal science post as part of a specialist Animal Sciences team within the Pathology & Animal Sciences Department at APHA. The post is in our biocontainment areas and has responsibility for husbandry, welfare and regulated procedures on farmed livestock, poultry as well as small laboratory animals, for specialist biocontainment (up to Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens - ACDP3, Specified Animal Pathogens Order - SAPO4, GM3) facilities including safety and quality management (Good Laboratory Practice - GLP, Good Manufacturing Practice - GMP and ISO 9001) for the allocated areas and staff management. The work of the post is physically demanding.

Responsibilities will include:

Animal Science and Research
You will work as part of a team with veterinary, scientific and technical staff to deliver a wide range of animal science projects involving a range of important and zoonotic pathogens (e.g. Influenza, tuberculosis (TB), transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE), and other viral or bacterial or parasitic agents) in farmed livestock, poultry or small animals. You will lead in the planning, execution and conduct of studies being carried out various project licences assuring compliance, staffing and timely execution as well as support other project work carried out in their area. Research contribution will primarily be to develop methods which minimise animal suffering and improve welfare, refine all aspects of animal use and performance of scientific procedures. You should have a good understanding of data managing software (Microsoft Word, Outlook, Excel) and have a basic understanding of statistical analysis.

You will be responsible for livestock, rodent and specialist biocontainment facilities, develop specialist knowledge and expertise, perform regulated scientific procedures, develop species specialism and environmental enrichment. You may be required to become a Home Office Project Licence Holder and assist in animal project or contract management, data analysis and delivery. You will act as an Animal Sciences On-Call Officer on a duty rota (no more than 1 week in 10) for out of working hours support response to the Department. You will perform and supervise daily husbandry and care of animals in allocated areas, ensuring that relevant documentation is in place and may also be required to assist at post-mortems.

Staff, Facility and Resource Management
You will be allocated an animal facility area and staffing – and will be expected to work in a range of areas and facilities including high disease biocontainment (up to ACDP3/SAPO4). You will provide management and direction to APHA’s Animal Technicians and support staff within the allocated area, line management of staff assigned to work in their areas, functional management of visitors, others working in the facility and supervision of scientific staff and contract staff as appropriate. Participation in staff utilisation meetings to ensure efficient use of resources, succession planning and developing skills, specialism and flexibility across teams. Building/Facility Officer duties including liaison with the maintenance providers to ensure the appropriate monitoring and maintenance of plant including generators, water testing, alarm systems, Building Management Systems and biocontainment controls. You will be responsible for effective use of resources (staff, time, consumables etc) in their area and for effective management oversight of this.

BioEthics, Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB):
You will be expected to be an active member of the AWERB, participating in committee meetings (shared between all HEO level posts) as well have input into project licence applications and study reviews with regards to the 3Rs. You will act as Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) and become a Home Office Personal Licence holder. You must support the senior NACWO in producing the NACWO report for the committee. You will coach junior NACWOs with regards to AWERB documentation review and advise them on the 3Rs. Provide leadership and implementation of APHA’s Animal Welfare Standards, interacting with scientists and Named people and be proactive in raising any animal welfare concerns. You will develop a thorough knowledge of the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (ASPA) including the Code of Practice (CoP); inspect animal facilities regularly and advise scientists and others on the compliance under ASPA and the CoP and be responsible for ensuring study pre-start meetings are carried out and the relevant documentation is completed.

Communication
You will be required to have excellent communication skills liaising with a diverse range of people, using all modern communication tools, in writing and verbally. You will use electronic communication tools, including online diaries, SharePoint, Excel, PowerPoint, Word and Access. You will liaise frequently with the other managers and contribute to building a strong team. On rotation, you will act as Chairperson for team meetings and are required to be a proactive member of the Animal Sciences management team and contribute effectively.

Safety
You will be responsible for safety and biocontainment in your area. You will ensure that adequate training and planning for response to emergency scenarios are in place; actively participate in safety inspections and audits. Ensure that appropriate documentation (e.g. Risk assessments, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and log books) are in place. You will be a Departmental Safety Advisor for your area and work closely with the Departmental