Support Technician

Job summary

Based at one of the two unique Non-Human Primate (NHP) breeding colony facilities the Support Technician role is key in providing high quality animal care and environmental enrichment for the NHPs. Working with the wider colonies team, you will be maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare ensuring the NHPs and facilities are Home Office compliant. This role is primarily a physical role, Performing animal Husbandry and ensuring the environment is clean and enriched, and that the nutritional requirements for the NHPs are fulfilled. Weekend work (paid as overtime) is on a rota and will be introduced after a period of induction to the facility. Situated near Salisbury, site access requirements stipulate that our employees must be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years.

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

Job description

1. Work with the Colonies team performing routine animal husbandry, continually striving to maintain the highest standards of care and welfare of all NHPs.
2. To recognise, report and record ill health and welfare issues in the NHPs and support with vet duties. Document and communicate issues to relevant team members, e.g. line manager, NACWO or Named Vet.
3. Contribute to study work completed at the colonies including those using infection agents at ACDP containment level 2 and 3, undertaking associated safety precautions.
4. Support with basic post-mortem examination and removal of specified tissue.
5. Work with a variety of bespoke caging systems used at the colonies.
6. Support the development, implementation and maintenance of environmental enrichment to enhance the wellbeing of the NHPs.
7. Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines.
8. Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
9. Assist with the supervision of specific designated areas such as the Prep- room, Surgical procedures room, X-ray processing room, Sample Receipt and Storage areas, (the post holder takes full responsibility of areas in the absence of the Supervisor).
10. Ensure equipment used within the colonies is maintained, serviceable and in date for use at all times, reporting faults as identified and moving equipment as required by projects.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Good general education including a scientific subject (GCSE level)
• Educated to NVQ 2 level in an animal care subject or equivalent level of qualification or significant equivalent previous proven animal care experience.
• Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team
• Ability to keep detailed and accurate records
• Familiar with the concepts surrounding the decontamination and sterilisation of facilities equipment and waste.
• To be able to communicate effectively with peers, managers and scientists.
• Ability to prioritise work
• Computer literate in Microsoft Office programmes
• Commitment to continuing professional development
• Willingness to undergo vaccinations as determined by project work
• Ability and willingness to undergo full UK Security Clearance
• Able to travel independently to work
• Available to work weekends / bank holiday
• Understanding of why animals are used for research purposes

Desirable criteria:

• National Certificate in Animal Technology
• Theoretical and practical training for working at ACDP CL3 in an in-vivo setting

Benefits

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 (opens in a new window).

• 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

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success Profiles - GOV.UK

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 14 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,000 word supporting statement.

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

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (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). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1,000 words. We will not consider any words over 1,000 words.

Longlisting:
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

1. Meets all essential criteria
2. Meets some essential criteria
3. Meets no essential criteria

If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria

• Good general education including a scientific subjec