Aquarist

Job summary

In the aquarium facility at the Cefas Weymouth Laboratory we work with finfish, crustaceans and molluscs to support high-quality science and evidence for government, academia and industry. In this role you will join a professional team delivering reliable aquatic animal care and facility services across the aquarium, including routine husbandry, biosecurity, record keeping, weekend working and emergency on-call support. The role is service-focused: it supports research by maintaining consistent standards, following agreed procedures and championing a positive culture of care.

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 and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

Job description

Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

You will work in a service delivery role that supports high-quality scientific research and helps protect wild and farmed aquatic animals from disease, chemicals and climate change. The working environment and daily priorities will vary depending on the species being cared for, welfare needs, facility requirements and research programmes being supported.

You will typically work around 37 hours a week. Because aquatic animal care and life-support systems are required every day, this role includes weekend working, Bank Holiday working and emergency on-call response on a shared rota. Applicants should be willing and able to contribute reliably to these arrangements, including responding to urgent animal welfare, water quality or system issues outside normal working hours. Overtime payments will be available for emergency call-out, weekend and holiday work in line with local arrangements.

You will work as part of a team of aquarists under the leadership of the Lead Aquarist. You will be responsible for dependable day-to-day care of aquatic animals, and for supporting a consistent facility service rather than pursuing independent research objectives. You will need to:

• be familiar with the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986, which governs the use of protected animals in scientific research.

• ensure good health and a high level of welfare for aquatic animals in the facility

• provide efficient day-to-day husbandry of stock aquatic animals (e.g., feeding, handling, safe movement of the animals) and live feed cultures

• maintain biosecurity in all areas of the facility for example cleaning tanks, equipment and fittings.

• deliver a consistent quality service by following agreed SOPs, risk assessments, biosecurity requirements and record-keeping processes, and by escalating proposed changes before altering established procedures

• collect and record data on stock management, health and treatments in line with the facility’s processes.

• monitor the condition of animals, recognise behavioural or health issues associated with the species and assist in resolving concerns.

• monitor husbandry conditions such as water quality, lighting and temperature

• provide out-of-hours cover and emergency callout response for all aquatic rearing and holding facilities on a rota basis, including urgent welfare, water quality and life-support system issues; the callout rota is expected to average 7-8 days per month (including a weekend)

• contribute reliably to the weekend and Bank Holiday service as a normal and essential part of the rota; expected contribution is around 15 to 17 weekends per year

• work within a rolling weekend working schedule where normal working hours will be fulfilled Thursday to Monday or Friday to Tuesday

• assist with essential system maintenance.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

Person specification

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:

• You will have a keen interest in the care and welfare of aquatic animals and in delivering high-quality operational services. You will have an excellent culture of care, a responsible attitude, good attention to detail, excellent communication skills, and be capable of working as part of a team and independently while following agreed procedures consistently.

• You should be aware of the ethical issues surrounding the use of protected aquatic animals in research and be willing to care for them.

• You should have a good understanding of the care and maintenance needs of freshwater and marine aquatic species.

• You should be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge of fish health, feeding, general care, welfare, and water quality monitoring.
• Demonstrates understanding, flexibility and ability to meet the role’s operational rota requirements, including weekend, Bank Holiday and out-of-hours emergency cover.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

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

• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Having aquatic animal experience or a clear strong interest in aquatic animal husbandry .

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,860, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £8,940 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Generous annual leave entitlement – Cefas offers 25 days' annual leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the King's birthday.
• Access to learning and development tailored to your role.
• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options.
• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.
• Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme – more information can be found on the CSP website http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/
• Skills and Personal Effectiveness Allowances (SPEA) to recognise the development of capability and enhanced responsibility that it is possible to build up over time spent working at a particular grade (minimum of two years). These are non-consolidated.
• Biannual Personal Performance Payments (non-consolidated) linked to individual performance.
• Spot Performance Payments (non-consolidated) linked to outstanding work delivered, outstanding results achieved or outstanding contribution.

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

As part of the application process, you are asked to provide a CV that details your employment history, the positions and responsibilities you held, and the key knowledge and skills you used, a maximum 500-word personal statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification and essential criteria section, and a maximum 250-word response to the advertised question below concerning the advertised lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service.

The question for candidates to respond to on their application form is:

Can you give an example of a time when you identified that the quality of your work was not meeting the required service standard?

What action did you take, and what was the outcome?

At the application stage, Candidates will receive scores from 1-7 on the following:

1. The lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service
2. CV/ experience which will assess the information provided in both the CV and within the personal statement responding to the requirements as advertised in the essential criteria within the essential criteria and person specification section
3. Personal statement which will assess the information provided in the personal statement responding to the requirements as advertised in the essential criteria within the essential criteria and person specification section

For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what you’ll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link – Success Profiles - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link - CV

For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Statement

For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link – Behaviours

We would recommend the STAR model to structure your answers. We find this allows you to best demonstrate your skills and experience, we can get to know you and can support you to show your skills and experience to answer questions linked to the advertised success profiles.

What STAR stands for

• Situation - the situation you had to deal with

• Task - the task you were given to do

• Action - the action you took

• Result - what happened as a result of your action and what you learned from the experience

How to use STAR

You can use the STAR method to structure the examples you give to questions. You can use it to highlight particular skills and qualities you have that the employer is looking for.

When using STAR, remember:

• you can use examples from work, home or volunteering

• keep examples short and to the point

• if shortlisted be prepared to answer follow-up questions about the examples you give at the interview stage

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your CV and personal statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification and essential criteria section. The sift panel will also assess the maximum 250-word response to the advertised question below concerning the advertised lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service.

The question for candidates to respond to on their application form is:

Can you give an example of a time when you identified that the quality of your work was not meeting the required service standard?

What action did you take, and what was the outcome?

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview schedule and details will be confirmed on release of the sift results.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the two advertised behaviours (Managing a Quality Service and Working Together), technical skill (having aquatic animal experience or a clear strong interest in aquatic animal husbandry) and experience (as stated in the person specification and essential criteria section). It is also important to inform prospective candidates that the interview questions will be provided to all shortlisted candidates in advance of the planned date and time of interview.

The two advertised behaviours:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

Please be aware that interviews will take place in person at the Cefas Weymouth Laboratory.

If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour – Managing a Quality Service will be used by the panel.

A date has not yet been confirmed for the interviews to take place.

Location

Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Weymouth. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the laboratory or office locations listed in this advert in order to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business needs.

As part of the pre-employment process, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Please note this vacancy is a lab-based role and therefore there is a requirement for the post holder to be on-site on a daily basis. 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.

Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The successful candidates are required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an oversees location at any time.

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

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.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Reserve List

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

Visa Sponsorship Statement

Please take note that Defra and Cefas does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled worker sponsor licence and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.

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.

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.

Feedback

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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 : Cally Wiles or Alec Wilson
• Email : resourcing@cefas.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