Animal Sciences Veterinary Officer (ID4289)

Job summary

Do you want to apply your communication and problem-solving skills in a role that provides variety and flexibility?

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.

This advertised role is to join the Animal Sciences team as part of a team of specialist veterinary surgeons, bio veterinary scientists and animal technicians in the Pathology and Animal Science Department leading the delivery of live animal phases of infectious disease research and statutory disease surveillance functions, ensuring compliance with Home Office regulations (ASPA), providing advice on the welfare and treatment of the animals as Named Veterinary Surgeon, developing and promoting the animal science discipline, and managing specialist staff and facilities within APHA.

The Weybridge site is undergoing a major structural transformation with new high tech animal facilities being constructed to support ongoing and new projects in the years to come.

This is a great opportunity to further your career if you have a keen interest in Animal Science. We have a variety of training opportunities available to support your career at APHA. We seek individuals with a passion for working with animals and promoting their welfare.

Job description

Responsibilities

Animal science project delivery and capability leadership: to monitor and ensure the welfare of mainly cattle, sheep, pigs, horses, poultry, rabbits, guinea pigs, mice and ferrets used in research. Design and lead relevant projects across a range of disease or commercial portfolios. Development of animal science capability and expertise, including development and application of new technologies and advances relevant to Animal Sciences at APHA, and engagement in policy relevant research across disease portfolios. There is an opportunity for further education if desirable. You must have a keen interest in research and proactively seek opportunities to develop modern welfare assessment tools. You will proactively contribute to the “3Rs” (reduction, refinement, replacement), particularly the refinement of experimental or veterinary procedures.

Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS): Provision of advice on implementation of the Animal (Scientific Procedures) Act (full training will be provided). Ensure veterinary care and attention is given to a range of experimental animals as appropriate. Ensure the veterinary team can always deliver adequate veterinary cover and services. A weekly rota is shared with the other NVSs to respond to animal welfare emergencies out of hours. Advise on the health and welfare needs of a range of species, and the implementation of the 3Rs. Participate in study planning, execution and reviews, and ensuring appropriate records and documentation are kept and quality and safety standards are adhered to.

Veterinary duties: to provide basic medical care (diagnosis, treatment, anaesthesia monitoring, prevention of illnesses and injuries) to all our farm animals and small animals on site. Out of Hours rotation (currently 1 in 7) for emergency calls or if required to arrive on site within 45 min.

Staff and facility management: line management or functional management of scientific staff working in animal facilities. Responsibility for delivery of high disease containment animal studies - up to Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP3), Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO4) - with responsibility for animal disease biosecurity and Home Office (HO) compliance, staff training and performance management.

Specialism: You will be expected to develop as a veterinary specialist with regards to the species and the infectious organisms used in their area of responsibility and an awareness of the policy relevance of the work undertaken. You will lead on the development of the science capability within the department and support the Animal Science discipline champion. You will be encouraged to obtain a personal Home Office licence in order to carry out regulated procedures.

BioEthics, Animal Welfare and Ethical Review Body (AWERB): You will be an active member of the AWERB and its species care and use subcommittee, participating in meetings as well as have input into project licence applications, study and protocol reviews.

Communication: You will be required to have excellent interpersonal skills liaising with a very diverse range of people with differing skills and expertise. You should be able to confidently deliver training and presentations, and chair meetings as required as well as write/contribute to scientific reports and publications.

Budget and Financial planning: Sound resource management is important – you will be involved in planning of multidisciplinary work, liaising with departmental administration team to ensure good budgetary management, effective use of resource and workforce planning. You may also have contract management duties.

Corporate activities: budget contribution, administrative responsibilities, Continuing Professional Development and other duties as required, including involvement in on call, duty rotas, emergency response, health and safety and quality processes.

Safety: Ensure that adequate training and planning for response to emergency scenarios is in place; actively lead and participate in safety inspections and audits. Work closely with safety representatives in respect of these duties.

Quality: You will be required to keep up to date on all legislation that could impact on quality issues within the department (Good Laboratory Practices (GLP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), ISO9001) and will contribute to the preparation and planning of inspections and audits within the department, and be involved as required in pre-start meetings, facilitation on the day, wash-up meetings and management resolution of arising actions.

Person specification

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Clinical practice in small or food animal species or experimental models is required
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills – written and oral, team working and leading
• Previous veterinary experience and skills

Learning & Development

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.

In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA.

Security clearance

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason all postholders based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or above. It is up to each person applying for a post at APHA Weybridge to ensure they meet the residency criteria. Applicantsmust be currently resident in the UK & have at least three years continuous UK residency as this is a requirement to work at the Weybridge site where the team and work is situated.

Working arrangements

This post requires you to be working onsite at Weybridge five days per week or less if on a job share.

Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings. This could include farm or abattoir visits as part of ongoing research or other postmortem facilities. You may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting these premises and may therefore preclude anyone who lives on a livestock farm.

Out of hours work may be required. There may be required to facilitate as an Animal Sciences On Call Officer on a duty rota for out of working hours support response to the Department. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, 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 post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged.

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. The work involved in this post can be physically demanding, therefore a level of physical fitness is required. This is due to access requirements to biosecure areas as part of this role.

Restrictions on outside/domestic contact with small animals, mainly rodents and rabbits, may apply. You should not keep pigs or poultry or live on premises where there are domestic livestock or poultry.

A valid full driving licence is necessary as you will be required to drive around site to remote facilities.

The post will also require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health and have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance, including Audiology, Avian Influenza, Drivers Medical, Influenza A Viruses, Rabies, Respiratory Sensitisers, Skin Sensitisers, TB, Tetanus and Zoonotic Viruses. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.

Licences

A valid full driving licence is necessary as you will be required to drive around site to remote facilities.

Qualifications

Minimum of Bachelor of Veterinary Science or equivalent

Memberships

You must be registered with, or immediately eligible for Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS) membership.

Languages

You 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:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Previous experience with experimental models or pathogens at different containment levels if applicable, otherwise how biosecurity and biosafety is part of your current job
• Post operative distress signs and how to deal with it when the researcher/owner tries to play down the situation

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Previous experience with experimental models or pathogens at different containment levels if applicable, otherwise how biosecurity and biosafety is part of your current job

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,060, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £13,343 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Further benefits offered also include:

• A minimum of 25 days of paid annual leave, increasing by 1 day per year up to a maximum of 30.
• An extensive range of learning & professional development opportunities tailored to your role.
• Access to a range of retail, travel and lifestyle employee discounts.
• Staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.

These are just a few of our benefits we offer. To find out the full range of what we offer refer to the Information Pack attached for more detail.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

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 (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

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. There is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
• A 750-word Personal Statement demonstrating your motivation for moving into a regulatory and welfare oversight role and how your clinical background helps, providing details of how you match the details in the Personal Specification detailed in the advert – 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
• A 250-word Behaviour Statement for the following Behaviours (Communicating & Influencing and Making Effective Decisions). Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your application.
• A 250-word Technical Statement detailing your previous experience with experimental models or pathogens at different containment levels if applicable, otherwise how biosecurity and biosafety is part of your current job.

CV Guidance

Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages.

Your CV will be used to provide further context on your Personal Statement and scored against the essential criteria.

Personal Statement Guidance

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Person Specification thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Please ensure you evidence the key personal qualities and experiences that align with the criteria. Consider the Job Description and look to demonstrate how your previous experience may align with the expectations and be applicable to the role. The written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc.

Scoring for all criteria of 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 CV style Application form and 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. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to 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

Eligibility

Please take extra care to tick the correct boxes in the eligibility sections of your application form. We understand mistakes sometimes happen but if you contact us later than two working days (Monday-Friday) before the vacancy closes, we will not be able to reopen your application for you. If you do make a mistake, please contact us via Science.DirectorateHR@apha.gov.uk with the vacancy reference number, your applicant reference number, and the closing date.

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 (Working Together and Delivering at Pace). The Behaviour criteria outlined in theSuccess Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UKframework for SEO positions. Please use the STAR technique (Situation Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your interview.
• Technical skills (Post operative distress signs and how to deal with it when the researcher/owner tries to play down the situation) outlined in the advert following theSuccess Profiles: Technical - GOV.UK These will be evaluated during the interview through a structured set of questions.
• Strength based questions related to the role requirements. Following theSuccess Profiles: Strengths - GOV.UK 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.

Your interview will be conducted face to face. You will be notified of the location when you are invited to interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Near Miss

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

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. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations. For most candidates your hours of work will be a blend of working from an APHA workplace (specific to the team location) with working at home.

This role is based at APHA Weybridge only due to the nature of the role and the duties required. This post requires you to be working on-site five days per week or less if on a job share.

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.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Working Pattern

This role is available on a full-time basis. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis, where continuity can be arranged.

We welcome applications from individuals seeking alternative working patterns; however, preferred arrangements may not always be possible. Applicants are encouraged to discuss their preferences with the vacancy holder at interview or offer stage.

NSV

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the following page https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/demystifying-vetting

Higher Security Clearance

Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please see our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

For further information on National Security Vetting please visit the Demystifying Vetting website.

The Weybridge site is a strategically important national asset due to its role as a reference laboratory supporting the Governments response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks. For this reason, all staff based on the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance. Applicants must be currently resident in the UK and have at least three years continuous UK residency in order to start the mandatory Counter Terrorist Check security checks that are required to work at APHA Weybridge. If you cannot meet this criterion, CTC clearance will not be possible as this is part of pre-employment checks before taking up the post.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.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: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission

Feedback

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist check (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).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 informati