UK Health Security Agency

Bio-Containment Technician

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

Bio- Containment Technician

Grade EO NATIONAL £25,976-£30,264

Location: Porton Down, On site

Permanent Contract

The role of High Containment Biological Services is to conduct in-vivo research on various health threats that could affect the UK population. Some of the current projects include testing vaccines, studying influenza, COVID-19, tuberculosis, anthrax, and new human pathogens. The role involves testing and maintaining the equipment that ensures biocontainment in the facility, such as isolators and downdraft tables. The role also requires providing technical biosafety expertise to a team of scientists and technicians who carry out the research activities.

Location: Porton Down, Salisbury

Working Pattern - Full Time, on site, 37.5 hours per week.

Main duties of the job

The role is regulated by several authorities, such as the Home Office, the Health and Safety Executive, and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. The role requires the post holder to meet the listed responsibilities and criteria, which can be achieved and maintained through training provided by the facility. The post holder does not need to have all the skills and qualifications at the time of appointment but should be able to acquire and retain them over time.

About us

Working for the UKHSA

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Benefits

  • 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 average employer contribution of 27%
  • Range of health and wellbeing suppor

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

Details

Date posted

21 December 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,976 to £30,264 a year Per Anumn

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00512

Job locations

Porton Down

Porton Down, Sailsbury

SP4 0JG


Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

  • Work with the team to provide routine testing of safety critical bio-containment equipment (e.g. flexible film isolators and downdraft tables)
  • To recognise, report and record testing and responsibly address issues.
  • Work within a containment level 2 and 3 lab, undertaking associated safety precautions.
  • Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines.
  • Generate test reports on equipment and assist in the commissioning and testing of novel equipment used within Biological Services.
  • Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
  • Schedule equipment testing for Biological Services.
  • Maintain a database of containment equipment within BIG.
  • Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, Defra and MHRA.
  • To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
  • To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1)
  • To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade
  • To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

Additional Wording

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 duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please see job description attached for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

  • Experience in the repair and maintenance of mechanical or electrical equipment or in the use of containment equipment. Ability to keep detailed and accurate records.
  • Good IT skills, being able to produce, review and analyse reports and detailed spreadsheets for subsequent analysis by managers, scientists, and external stakeholders
  • Achieve and maintain SC level of security clearance.
  • To be able to work to tight deadlines and prioritise time and resources as well as ability to multi-task, have good organisational and interpersonal skills.
  • Flexibility to work around organisational demands and to work effectively, both in a team environment and working alone and must have a willingness to undergo vaccinations as determined by project work.

Desirable

  • Experience of microbiological containment level laboratory work
  • Qualifications, experience, or training in validation/engineering to HND level or equivalent
  • Experience in testing containment equipment and is familiar with the concepts surrounding the decontamination and sterilisation of facilities equipment and waste
  • Working within a Quality system environment (ISO / GxP) and experience of working to SOPs, COPs, RAs etc

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve a face-to-face interview.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 2nd Jan 2024 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: 12th January 2024

Interviews: w/c 22nd January 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

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 FULL Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete FULL Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

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:Complaints1@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.

Job description

Job responsibilities

Key responsibilities

  • Work with the team to provide routine testing of safety critical bio-containment equipment (e.g. flexible film isolators and downdraft tables)
  • To recognise, report and record testing and responsibly address issues.
  • Work within a containment level 2 and 3 lab, undertaking associated safety precautions.
  • Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines.
  • Generate test reports on equipment and assist in the commissioning and testing of novel equipment used within Biological Services.
  • Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
  • Schedule equipment testing for Biological Services.
  • Maintain a database of containment equipment within BIG.
  • Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, Defra and MHRA.
  • To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade
  • To maintain health and safety competence to the national occupational standard Make sure your actions reduce risks to health and safety (NOS HSS1)
  • To fulfil the requirements of UKHSA Values and Behaviours commensurate with grade
  • To comply with all UKHSA policies and procedures

Additional Wording

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 duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please see job description attached for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

  • Experience in the repair and maintenance of mechanical or electrical equipment or in the use of containment equipment. Ability to keep detailed and accurate records.
  • Good IT skills, being able to produce, review and analyse reports and detailed spreadsheets for subsequent analysis by managers, scientists, and external stakeholders
  • Achieve and maintain SC level of security clearance.
  • To be able to work to tight deadlines and prioritise time and resources as well as ability to multi-task, have good organisational and interpersonal skills.
  • Flexibility to work around organisational demands and to work effectively, both in a team environment and working alone and must have a willingness to undergo vaccinations as determined by project work.

Desirable

  • Experience of microbiological containment level laboratory work
  • Qualifications, experience, or training in validation/engineering to HND level or equivalent
  • Experience in testing containment equipment and is familiar with the concepts surrounding the decontamination and sterilisation of facilities equipment and waste
  • Working within a Quality system environment (ISO / GxP) and experience of working to SOPs, COPs, RAs etc

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT:

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria please do provide evidence of how you meet this.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 INTERVIEW

This competition will involve a face-to-face interview.

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the Employer/ Activity history section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 2nd Jan 2024 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Shortlist: 12th January 2024

Interviews: w/c 22nd January 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Nationality requirements

Appointments to roles within UKHSA will be made in accordance with the Civil Service nationality rules. These can be found athttps://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rulesThis job is broadly open to the following groups:

  • UK nationals
  • Nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
  • Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
  • Nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of theEuropean Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
  • Relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
  • Certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

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.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

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 FULL Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete FULL Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&Cs are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

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:Complaints1@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.

Person Specification

SOS Criteria:

Essential

  • The Ability to complete detailed tasks consistently to a high standard of accuracy as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstration of IT skills including MS Office, online search and retrieval of information is also required.
  • A degree-level qualification in a science, research or knowledge management discipline or equivalent experience
  • Experience of working with data in a variety of formats, including the ability to manipulate and transform data for reporting purposes
  • Experience of using web-based data entry forms and metadata creation
  • Experience of providing support and/or training in system processes

Desirable

  • Experience of microbiological containment level laboratory work
  • Experience of using a research management system such as Pure
  • Functional knowledge of Oracle Cloud Fusion
  • Working within a Quality system environment (ISO / GxP) and experience of working to SOPs, COPs, RAs etc
Person Specification

SOS Criteria:

Essential

  • The Ability to complete detailed tasks consistently to a high standard of accuracy as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills. Demonstration of IT skills including MS Office, online search and retrieval of information is also required.
  • A degree-level qualification in a science, research or knowledge management discipline or equivalent experience
  • Experience of working with data in a variety of formats, including the ability to manipulate and transform data for reporting purposes
  • Experience of using web-based data entry forms and metadata creation
  • Experience of providing support and/or training in system processes

Desirable

  • Experience of microbiological containment level laboratory work
  • Experience of using a research management system such as Pure
  • Functional knowledge of Oracle Cloud Fusion
  • Working within a Quality system environment (ISO / GxP) and experience of working to SOPs, COPs, RAs etc

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Porton Down

Porton Down, Sailsbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Porton Down

Porton Down, Sailsbury

SP4 0JG


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Senior RPO Talent Partner

Amrita Jetwani

Amrita.Jetwani@reed.com

Details

Date posted

21 December 2023

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£25,976 to £30,264 a year Per Anumn

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

Full-time, Flexible working

Reference number

UKHSA00512

Job locations

Porton Down

Porton Down, Sailsbury

SP4 0JG


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)