Assistant Scientific Officer(ID3332) (Penrith)

Join to apply for the Assistant Scientific Officer(ID3332) role at Animal and Plant Health Agency Join to apply for the Assistant Scientific Officer(ID3332) role at Animal and Plant Health Agency Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features. Job Summary Scroll down the page to see all associated job requirements, and any responsibilities successful candidates can expect. 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. Penrith Job Summary 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 successful candidate will carry out laboratory testing duties in the APHA Penrith Laboratory. The role covers work in Bacteriology and Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) culture work with support to other areas as required. The purpose of the job is to be a member of a team carrying out sample testing to establish the diagnosis of animal disease, monitoring animal health, screening for incursion of exotic disease, and performing statutory testing. A wide variety of tests are undertaken utilising microbiology, molecular biology and serology. All work is undertaken in a minimum of Containment Level 2 laboratories, with some areas of work being undertaken at Containment Level 3. Job Description The post holder will be required to: Work to Agency safety and quality standards. Test submissions using scientific techniques used in APHA. Provide support and undertake duties on behalf of local Quality and Safety managers. Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in all technical disciplines undertaken at the laboratory and are required to work in different areas of the laboratory involving different disciplines on a rotational basis to provide testing cover where it is needed. Bacteriology/CEM duties working with veterinary and administrative teams To learn laboratory tests across a wide range of disciplines. Work in all laboratory departments as required. Carry out tests requested by our customers. Record results onto LIMS or to admin staff as soon as available Occasional weekend overtime (Rostered weekends) Ensuring the appropriate disposal of specimens and other clinical laboratory and animal waste. Setting up Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) cultures Reading culture plates Performing biochemical tests to determine ID Quality Work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and local procedures Check and report results, liaising with line manager Maintain laboratory daybooks and records Ensure equipment logs are up to date and that failures are reported to Responsible Officer Assist with maintenance of ISO17025 accreditation by working to SOP’s Contribute to the ethos of working to the highest quality standards Archive specimens according to agreed procedures Health and safety Contributing to a positive safety culture by following Agency safety policies and procedures Understanding and following controls in Risk Assessments. Ensuring equipment maintenance duties are carried out in all areas of the laboratory. Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training Participate in safety audits/inspections to support the local safety manager The Post Holder Will Be Required To Work to Agency safety and quality standards. Test submissions using scientific techniques used in APHA. Provide support and undertake duties on behalf of local Quality and Safety managers. Laboratory scientists are required to gain a high level of competency in all technical disciplines undertaken at the laboratory and are required to work in different areas of the laboratory involving different disciplines on a rotational basis to provide testing cover where it is needed. Bacteriology/CEM duties working with veterinary and administrative teams To learn laboratory tests across a wide range of disciplines. Work in all laboratory departments as required. Carry out tests requested by our customers. Record results onto LIMS or to admin staff as soon as available Occasional weekend overtime (Rostered weekends) Ensuring the appropriate disposal of specimens and other clinical laboratory and animal waste. Setting up Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) cultures Reading culture plates Performing biochemical tests to determine ID Quality Work to Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and local procedures Check and report results, liaising with line manager Maintain laboratory daybooks and records Ensure equipment logs are up to date and that failures are reported to Responsible Officer Assist with maintenance of ISO17025 accreditation by working to SOP’s Contribute to the ethos of working to the highest quality standards Archive specimens according to agreed procedures Health and safety Contributing to a positive safety culture by following Agency safety policies and procedures Understanding and following controls in Risk Assessments. Ensuring equipment maintenance duties are carried out in all areas of the laboratory. Participate in contingency exercises and other safety training Participate in safety audits/inspections to support the local safety manager Person specification You Will Need To Demonstrate The Following Laboratory skills or experience (e.g. Microbiology) Team working skills Communication skill Ways of Working This post requires you to be working in the Laboratory five days per week on site with no option for homeworking. Work activities may change depending on the needs of the business which may involve working in different departments, training for additional tests and tasks not detailed on this job description. Staff (excluding under 18-year-olds) may be required to work rostered weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings. APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment. The work of the post can be physically demanding Travel may occasionally be required to attend training courses and undertake farm visits. You must have a valid driving licence or be able to call upon suitable alternate means of transport. The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. Behaviours We\’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Working Together Delivering at Pace We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form: Working Together Alongside your salary of £25,070, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £7,262 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