APHA Thirsk
Job Summary
Are you considering a change in your veterinary career?
Are you looking for a career with variety and flexibility in the work you do?
Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal health and welfare, protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases?
Many of the skills and competences already acquired in veterinary positions elsewhere will be applicable and valued in veterinary roles within APHA. Why not explore a change, a new veterinary path, one that can have far reaching impacts?
Why not join us and make a difference?
Job Description
This Vet role involves a wide range of work including, but not limited to the following:
* Conduct disease investigations in farm animals and wildlife by undertaking post-mortem examinations and diagnostic sampling.
* Obtaining relevant history from vets and farmers for investigating disease and to provide data for disease surveillance.
* Using laboratory testing for diagnosis or to rule out diseases.
* Collating, reporting and discussing findings with veterinary clients, farmers and APHA colleagues.
* Providing advice on diseases and making recommendations on disease control and prevention.
* Conducting farm visits to investigate for possible new diseases, zoonoses or potential threats to the food chain.
* Opportunity to work with other veterinary and industry stakeholders, participate in knowledge exchange and influence standards of animal health and welfare.
* Conducting surveillance for notifiable disease, through discussion with farmers or vets, sampling and gross diagnostic pathology.
This Vet role involves a wide range of work including, but not limited to the following:
* Conduct disease investigations in farm animals and wildlife by undertaking post-mortem examinations and diagnostic sampling.
* Obtaining relevant history from vets and farmers for investigating disease and to provide data for disease surveillance.
* Using laboratory testing for diagnosis or to rule out diseases.
* Collating, reporting and discussing findings with veterinary clients, farmers and APHA colleagues.
* Providing advice on diseases and making recommendations on disease control and prevention.
* Conducting farm visits to investigate for possible new diseases, zoonoses or potential threats to the food chain.
* Opportunity to work with other veterinary and industry stakeholders, participate in knowledge exchange and influence standards of animal health and welfare.
* Conducting surveillance for notifiable disease, through discussion with farmers or vets, sampling and gross diagnostic pathology.
Person specification
We Are Looking For Candidates Who
* Are aware of the UK farming industry and diseases of farmed animals
* Have an interest or further experience in diagnostic pathology
* Can engage with customers and stakeholders confidentially and professionally
* Can produce reports to communicate veterinary knowledge
* Can demonstrate an ability to maintain and assure appropriate levels of quality assurance for scientific evidence and advice
* Are capable of strategic thinking, with diagnostic, analytical and creative problem-solving abilities
You can also visit APHA's Veterinary Careers website for further information:
Home - Careers as an APHA Vet (aphavets.co.uk)
VIO role video: Disease Investigation roles (youtube.com)
An individual drop-in session can be arranged with a vet. For further details please email: mary.apaaternenge@apha.gov.uk
Ways of Working
Flexibility in working hours is required if called upon to finish a particular urgent task or call in an event of an outbreak.
The post is full-time, we may consider a job-share arrangement, if two candidates are interested on this basis.
For this role, the requirement is to work primarily on site.
This post will also require Health clearance.
Qualifications
Degree in Veterinary Medicine/Science that is recognised in the UK
Memberships
Registration with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons
Languages
About
Must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to enable effective communication about veterinary topics with customers and colleagues and meet one of the following:
* have undertaken undergraduate veterinary training in English
or
* having a sufficient command of spoken and written English to effectively perform the role being undertaken by a public sector worker in a customer-facing role
or
* have achieved the following scores in the academic international English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application – Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Making Effective Decisions
* Communicating and Influencing
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
* Applicable UK farm animal knowledge and farm animal veterinary experience
* Veterinary knowledge
* In tray exercise
* Presentation
Alongside your salary of £42,665, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £12,360 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
In return for your dedication and hard work, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training as inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a generous employer contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme, reward vouchers and in-year bonuses. We also offer additional days off if accrued extra hours (flexi-time –if accumulated), three paid volunteering days per year. We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site. Further details can be found in the Candidate Information Pack.
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil service, our work and our policies. Your line manager will also work with you to establish your priorities for the year, developing a performance, learning and development plan tailored to you and your role.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Recruitment
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.
Application Process
You will be required to complete the following as part of your application:
* A CV-style application submitted through an online tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobs website. This should include your job history and qualifications
* 750-word Personal Statement of how you match the details in the Personal Specification – the written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. We encourage you to use the full word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed it.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Scoring for all criteria on the application is from 1 to 7 – A score of 4 and above will progress to interview unless there is a large number of applications. In this instance, an initial sift will be conducted using the personal statement. The panel may agree a benchmark score higher than 4 with a rationale for the decision. Any candidates applying under the Disability Confident Scheme who scores 4 or above on all of the criteria will be offered an interview.
For further guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV style application, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit the Civil Service Careers website. How to write your CV, Civil Service Careers
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on:
Experience as detailed in the Person Specification section - Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK
Behaviours - The Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK framework for SEO positions. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the following Behaviours in your interview:
* Making Effective Decisions
* Communicating and Influencing
Strength based questions related to the role requirements - Following the There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well
Technical ability - outlined in the advert following the Success Profiles: Technical - GOV.UK framework:
* Applicable UK farm animal knowledge and farm animal veterinary experience
* Veterinary knowledge
* In-tray exercise
* Presentation
In-tray exercise - Prior to the start of the interview, candidates will be given preparation time to conduct this prioritisation task, based on a veterinary scenario.
Presentation - The decisions and outcomes of the in-tray exercise are presented by the candidate to the interview panel and discussed.
During the interview, you will be presented with a series of photographs and questions to demonstrate your veterinary knowledge.
Your interview will be conducted face to face at APHA Thirsk.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Your interview will either be conducted face to face or by video. You will be notified of the location if you are selected for interview.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Reserves
In the event of more than one candidate meeting the criteria we may maintain a reserve list should a similar role become available in the subsequent 12 months following interview.
After the interview
Once all the interviews have been conducted, candidates will be notified of the outcome by email. If you are successful at the interview stage, we will be in touch to offer you a role. Offers will be made in merit order.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location (excluding Northern Ireland) and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
For this role, the requirement is to work primarily on site .
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Working Pattern
This role is full time only, we may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the Pay Band.
This post offers the successful candidate an additional non-pensionable allowance of up to £3,000 (pro rata) upon appointment. The amount is determined by a calculation and is dependent on base salary. The allowance awarded is paid as monthly instalments. A further allowance of up to £3,000 may be offered, based on a candidate’s annual capability assessment and any additional roles and responsibilities. These allowances do not form part of the Terms of Employment and may be withdrawn subject to funding.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to DEFRA 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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website .
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
* Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
* Complete the ‘Assistance required’ section in the ‘Additional requirements’ page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf.
However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Medical
Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.
Nationality requirements
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
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
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 equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window) .
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window) .
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact
* Name : Science Directorate HR Team
* Email : Science.DirectorateHR@apha.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
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 Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: here