The United Kingdom Health Security Agency (UKHSA) is a system leader for health security; taking action internationally to strengthen global health security, providing trusted advice to government and the public and reducing inequalities in the way different communities experience and are impacted by infectious disease, environmental hazards, and other threats to health. UKHSA’s remit, as an agency with a global-to-local reach, is to protect the health of the nation from infectious diseases and other external threats to health. As the nation’s expert national health security agency UKHSA will: Prevent: anticipate threats to health and help build the nation’s readiness, defences and health security Detect: use cutting edge environmental and biological surveillance to proactively detect and monitor infectious diseases and threats to health Analyse: use world-class science and data analytics to assess and continually monitor threats to health, identifying how best to control and mitigate the risks Respond: take rapid, collaborative and effective actions nationally and locally to mitigate threats to health when they materialise Lead: lead strong and sustainable global, national, regional and local partnerships designed to save lives, protect the nation from public health threats and reduce inequalities. Job overview To assist in the cleaning, preparation and sterilisation of general or specialised glassware and equipment for use throughout the Porton site or to order for specific internal customers. Also, to be involved in the manufacture of microbiological growth media, customer relations, and the ordering of media components. The post holder will also deputise for the Autoclave Operator with the safe collection, sterilisation and disposal of contaminated laboratory waste, either via the metal discard bins or via the yellow sack incineration system Advert Production duties • Provide a high level of customer focus and output to meet the needs and requirements of the Unit’s customers in a timely and efficient manner. • Perform a wide range of routine and non-routine technical procedures and understand the rationale behind the procedures and practices. • Follow all relevant protocols and standard operating procedures accurately. • Assist with the preparation, production and dispensing of culture media. • Complete the washing and preparation of general glassware collected from the laboratories to enable it to be returned for use, and where applicable, carry out sterilisation of specialised laboratory glassware and equipment as required by customers. • Assist with the sterilisation of general glassware and equipment for use within the laboratories. • Assist with the completion and maintenance of quality and regulatory documents. • Assist and/or deputise for the Autoclave Operator by completing all training required. • Participate in the collection of discard bins from the laboratories and autoclaving of the bins in a safe and appropriate manner, in accordance with the defined and regulatory procedures. Working for our 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 Detailed job description and main responsibilities Main duties continued: • Assist with the safe collection and transport of contaminated waste for incineration, including following the special provisions for handling and disposing of GM 2 waste. • Ensure all glassware and autoclave records are accurately completed. • Liaise with Lab Supervisors and customers with regards to the Glass Preparation and/or Autoclaving Service requirements and customer needs. • Work in accordance with appropriate Safety regulations and guidance. • Work flexibly to meet the needs of the team and requirements of local line management. Administrative duties • Assist management staff / work colleagues / customers / visitors with administrative enquiries. • Check that all stock is correct and in good condition. • Clear and regular record keeping. Clerical duties • Keep full and accurate records of work performed, archive production worksheets, and administrative documentation. • Collate and report all paperwork as required. Customer Service duties • Respond to customer enquiries and inform supervisor of any requests or queries. • Assemble and package customer glassware/ media orders. • Ensure delivery/collection of customer glassware/ media orders. • Ensure glassware is available for lab staff at designated storage areas. Health & Safety duties (Specific) • Participate in internal and external safety audits. • Report and log all accidents and incidents to supervisor and via Trackwise software. • Comply with safety policies, procedures, COSHH, and risk assessments. Communication • Clear communication with coworkers and line management. • Report all anomalies with procedures to supervisor/ line manager. Personal & People Development • Train other media staff as required. • Maintain continual professional development and be aware of relevant safety procedures. • Develop and maintain good working relationships with staff. • Ensure all civil service-learning courses are completed and up to date. Health, Safety & Security (General) • Report all accidents and incidents or near misses, dangerous situations, or shortcomings in health and safety training instructions via the appropriate management structure. • Comply with safety policies, procedures, COSHH, risk assessments and work in a safe manner. • Co-operate on matters of health and safety to enable the department to comply with its health and safety responsibilities. Quality In collaboration with the Laboratory Quality Team and other UKHSA Quality Officers: • Maintain a high standard of work. • Suggest quality improvements when possible. • Follow all procedures, policies, rules, regulations and guidelines for all activities to ensure products meet the required standard. Equality & Diversity • Be aware of relevant legislation. • Value and respect differences in others, and actively contribute to an inclusive and supportive team environment. General duties • Train in all aspects and in all sections of the department and rotate within and between these sections as required. • Provide cover for all aspects of Media Services within the job grade to include production, wash-up, delivery, and waste clearance where appropriate. • Any other duties within the framework of the job summary. Services & Project Management • Contribute to the care, maintenance and security of the premises and equipment. • Monitor equipment as required, reporting deficiencies via the appropriate management structure. • Make minor adjustments/repairs and provide local maintenance to equipment as required. KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. Essential role criteria • Education to GCSE level or equivalent experience in aligned field. • Good numeracy and literacy. • Suitable relevant experience of either lab work, customer service or engineering. • Excellent communication skills. • Able to work as part of a team. • Ability to problem solve and carry out minor adjustments and repairs to production equipment. • An understanding of, and commitment to, equality of opportunity and good working relationships. Desirable role criteria: • Knowledge of good manufacturing practice. • Ability to train staff. Selection Process Details : This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Stage 1: Application & Sift You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed (7) essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a: Application form ( ‘ Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application) up to 500 words supporting statement. This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria. The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together. Longlisting : In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria The following will be taken through to the next stage: Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following: Education to GCSE level or equivalent experience in aligned field Suitable relevant experience of either lab work, customer service or engineering. Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment. Please do not exceed 500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. Feedback will not be provided at this stage. Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV. Stage 2: Interview ( success profiles) You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview. Behaviours and experience, will be tested at interview. The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be: Changing and Improving Making Effective Decisions Communicating and Influencing Working together – Lead behaviour Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Eligibility Criteria - External Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants). Location This role is being offered as office/lab based at our site in Porton. If based at one of our labs, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. 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 Counter-terrorist Check. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC). UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ Artificial Intelligence (AI) 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Link below: Artificial intelligence and recruitment | Civil Service Careers This is a Non-Reserved post under the Civil Service Nationality Rules. To be eligible for employment in the UK Civil Service applicants must meet the Civil Service Nationality Rules (CSNRs) which operate independently of and additionally to the Immigration Rules. Applicants must also meet necessary security and vetting requirements, along with any other relevant pre-employment checks. This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service For more information on job nationality requirements and the right to work in the UK, see the Civil Service Nationality rules (opens in a new window) and the UK Visas and Immigration rules (opens in a new window) 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. The Civil Service pay structure and progression is different from NHS Agenda for Change (AfC), most local authority pay grades and other systems that have annual pay increments. For further details, please refer to the Information Sheet- Starting Salaries & Benefits attachment. For AfC or Medical/Dental posts, you must have the correct professional registration to be appointed. The pay will follow the AfC or Medical & Dental terms & conditions. You may be asked to provide evidence of previous service whilst we are conducting pre-employment checks to determine your starting salary. For Temporary Appointments, if you are not currently a civil servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment. You may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of the UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA’s Pay policy. Given the nature of the work of the UKHSA, as a Category 1 responder under the Civil Contingencies Act, you may be required in an emergency, if deemed a necessity, to redeploy to another role at short notice. You may also be required to work at any other location, within reasonable travelling distance of your permanent home address, in line with the provisions set out in your contract of employment. Late Applications will unfortunately not be considered. Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. 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: [email protected] 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 here. Reserve List - If more than the required number of suitable candidates pass the interview criteria, you may be kept on a reserve list for 12 months subject to your agreement. You may be contacted, in merit-order, if similar roles with closely matching essential criteria become available and the department choose to appoint from a reserve list. The panel will assess if candidates meet the requirement of the role first, using a specific benchmark system. If you are interviewed for the post and do not meet the required threshold for the specified grade, your application may be assessed against a similar, lower grade role and you may be offered the post should one be available. Interview expenses will not be reimbursed. UKHSA is required to check employment and/or education history covering three consecutive years. Please ensure you give details of at least two different referees, even if you were employed in one company for three years or more. If you are offered a job, information will also be transferred into the national NHS Electronic Staff Records system. Please note, all communication regarding your application will be made via email, please ensure you check your junk/spam folders as emails are sometimes filtered there. 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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. Benefits of working at UKHSA include: Generous annual leave: -26 days for the first 5 years of continuous service -28 days after 5 years of continuous service -32 days after 10 years of continuous service -Plus public holidays and one privilege day for the King’s birthday Access to a generous Defined Benefit pension scheme with employer contributions. Access to a cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme, season ticket advances and payroll giving. Access to a retail discounts and cashback site. We also promote flexible working patterns (part-time, job-share, condensed hours). UKHSA views flexible working as essential in enabling us to recruit and retain talented people, ensuring that they are able to enjoy a long-lasting career with us. All employees have the right to apply for flexible working and there are a range of options available including working from home, compressed hours and job sharing. We also offer a generous maternity/ paternity and adoption leave package. Hybrid Working UKHSA operates a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will usually spend a minimum of 60% of your contracted hours (averaged over a month) working at one of UKHSA's locations (approximately 3 days a week pro rata) and the rest of your time working from home. Disability Confident Scheme The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria at sift to ensure these candidates are invited to interview. If you wish to be included in this scheme please tick the box on your application form. Reasonable Adjustments The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will take into account any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should: Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/ International Police Check If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and could be time accrued over that period. Internal Fraud check If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service. Security Vetting Please check the Security Clearance needed for the role and follow the link for more information: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/united-kingdom-security-vetting-clearance-levels/national-security-vetting-clearance-levels Future location UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK. The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.