Virology Department Building Officer in Addlestone

The Virology department is a multi-disciplinary team with a statutory remit in named reportable, endemic, notifiable and exotic diseases for the delivery of research, diagnostic services and surveillance programmes. As the Virology Department Building Officer (BO), you will be responsible for the low containment laboratories and assist in the operation of three independent high containment facilities. These facilities, and therefore the post, are critical in supporting the delivery of statutory diagnostic and surveillance requirements, outbreak responses and APHA research activities. Main areas of work will include:

• Deputise for the High containment building officer for Virology Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP)3 / Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO)4 facilities
• Act as the main contact for Virology containment level 2 (CL2) laboratory facilities and be responsible for day-to-day management of the laboratory facilities.
• Assist with the management of the SAPO3 laboratories in liaison with the SAPO3 building officer and their deputies
• Act as the deputy Safety Advisor for VIH workgroup
• Be proactive in liaising and collaborating with key stakeholders, including staff in the Virology department, the APHA Safety, Health and Wellbeing Dept. (SHaW), Facilities Management, and external contractors
• Ensure the facilities are functional and compliant with APHA Safety Policies, Standards and Guidance to permit safe and effective delivery of the required work activities
• Ensure the facilities are compliant with the relevant legislation (i.e. SAPO, ACDP, Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained use) Regulations, and the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act)
• Provide local decision-making regarding safety and compliance for the low containment laboratories and advise and direct Virology staff and senior managers accordingly
• Oversee and ensure the equipment within the buildings is functional and well maintained, according to schedule in liaison with nominated persons and their deputies
• Work with key stakeholders including Facilities Management and external contractors to ensure repairs, maintenance and calibrations are undertaken.
• Ensure that relevant documentation is up to date and when required, report incidents, contribute to investigations, and provide information for and attend relevant safety meetings including with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• Provide building inductions, training of staff, competency assessments, and deliver drills for staff in emergency procedures.
• Assist with the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) shutdowns and preparatory activities including attend PPM facility shutdown meetings and other relevant building-related and safety meetings
• Responsibility to make and act on rapid decisions, for reasons of safety and / or compliance, including liaising with, advising and directing relevant staff and others, including senior managers
• Participate in and conduct safety inspections and prepare, amend, and review safety documentation where required
• Line management of building support staff and functional management of nominated persons for CL2 laboratories
• Perform Ad hoc monitoring of own and other staff in high containment facilities
• Incident response coordinator for Virology buildings
• Undertake expected training for the role, i.e Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Institute of Safety in Technology and Research (ISTR) and National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH)
• Be part of the on-call rota for the high containment facilities, and with prior notice, attend site at weekends/out of hours to cover building maintenance/issues.
• 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 Science Directorate (SD) delivers high quality, high impact and highly relevant multidisciplinary science. Our People are diverse, talented, engaged and inspired to deliver innovative outcomes.