Electrical Plant Manager

Job summary

Reporting to the Engineering Manager, the Electrical Plant Manager provides technical leadership and engineering assurance for electrical infrastructure and utility systems across the site. The postholder is responsible for ensuring that electrical systems remain safe, compliant, reliable and capable of supporting UKHSA's scientific and operational activities.

The role combines technical specialist expertise, asset performance management, project delivery and stakeholder engagement within a highly regulated environment. Working closely with engineering teams, contractors, users and external specialists, the postholder will monitor system performance, support statutory compliance, lead technical investigations, identify improvement opportunities and deliver engineering projects that enhance operational resilience and reliability.

The Electrical Plant Manager acts as the subject matter expert for electrical systems, supporting audits, inspections and engineering governance activities, whilst providing technical advice and deputising for the Engineering Manager when required.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Job description

Main duties will include:

• Ensure the safe, compliant and reliable operation of electrical infrastructure and utility systems through effective engineering management and technical governance.
• Deliver engineering improvement initiatives and business-critical projects that enhance electrical system performance, resilience and regulatory compliance.
• Provide technical leadership and specialist advice to stakeholders, contractors and engineering colleagues in support of operational and strategic objectives.
• Maintain robust electrical compliance and engineering assurance activities, including inspection programmes, audits and statutory testing requirements.

Your day to day duties will include:

• Monitor electrical asset performance and maintenance data through the Computerised Maintenance Management System (CMMS), identifying trends, risks and opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Develop and implement engineering improvement initiatives that enhance the reliability, efficiency and resilience of electrical infrastructure and utility systems.
• Prepare technical justifications and supporting business cases for asset replacement, infrastructure improvements and capital investment proposals.
• Manage and deliver small to medium business-critical engineering projects in accordance with UKHSA project governance requirements, ensuring delivery to agreed scope, timescale, budget and quality standards.
• Deputise for the Engineering Manager when required, providing technical leadership, specialist advice and engineering support across electrical services and utility systems.
• Provide technical guidance, coaching and support to engineering colleagues, contractors and stakeholders to promote safe systems of work and engineering best practice.
• Act as the Engineering subject matter expert for electrical systems during audits, inspections and assurance activities, providing technical evidence and ensuring compliance with statutory, regulatory and organisational requirements.
• Support the development, implementation and maintenance of electrical compliance programmes, including inspection, testing and certification requirements.
• Review and approve engineering technical documentation, where authorised, including Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), electrical safety documentation and other compliance-related records.
• Author, review and maintain User Requirement Specifications (URS), Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), technical specifications and engineering records relating to electrical systems and associated infrastructure.
• Ensure engineering records and documentation are maintained in accordance with quality management and engineering governance requirements.
• Lead technical investigations into equipment failures, power quality issues and system performance concerns, identifying root causes and implementing corrective and preventative actions.
• Ensure engineering incidents, risks and non-conformances are appropriately investigated, documented and managed through UKHSA systems.
• Develop effective working relationships with internal customers, contractors, specialist suppliers and external stakeholders to support delivery of engineering services and projects.
• Represent the Engineering function within multidisciplinary projects, capital programmes and operational working groups, ensuring electrical engineering requirements are appropriately considered.

The above is not an exhaustive list and the post holder may be required to undertake other duties consistent with the grade and nature of the role.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• ONC, HNC, HND, apprenticeship qualification or equivalent electrical engineering qualification, or significant relevant electrical engineering experience.
• Proven experience working with electrical infrastructure, utility systems and critical plant within a highly regulated engineering environment and ensuring compliance with statutory and safety requirements.
• Experience managing engineering improvement initiatives, technical projects or operational engineering activities through to successful completion.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles, electrical distribution systems, statutory inspection and testing requirements, and electrical safety management.
• Experience supporting engineering compliance activities, audits, inspections and quality management systems.
• Experience preparing, reviewing and managing engineering technical documentation, including specifications, procedures, reports and controlled records.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience investigating equipment failures, identifying root causes and implementing corrective actions.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to provide technical advice and influence both technical and non-technical audiences.

Desirable criteria

• Membership of a recognised professional engineering institution and evidence of continuing professional development.
• Experience working within scientific, pharmaceutical, healthcare, research, defence or other highly regulated environments.
• Experience using Computerised Maintenance Management Systems (CMMS), particularly Maximo.
• Experience managing capital projects, engineering upgrades or infrastructure improvement programmes.
• Knowledge of electrical compliance programmes, including Electrical Installation Condition Reports (EICRs), inspection regimes and certification requirements.
• Experience in the design, commissioning, operation or validation of critical electrical infrastructure and utility systems.
• Working knowledge of Building Management Systems (BMS) or Environmental Management Systems (EMS).

Please note that for roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £41,983, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,162 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).

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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 behaviours, experience and technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 8 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:

• an application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• a 1000 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1000 words. We will not consider any words over 1000 words.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

• Proven experience working with electrical infrastructure, utility systems and critical plant within a highly regulated engineering environment and ensuring compliance with statutory and safety requirements.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview in Porton Down. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical skills and experience will be tested at interview.

The behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:

• Managing a Quality Service (Lead behaviour)
• Changing and Improving
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace,
• Making Effective Decisions

Interviews dates are to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is office / lab based at our Scientific Campus in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available with this role. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.

Eligibility criteria

External

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security clearance level requirement

Part 1

Successful candidates must pass a basic Disclosure and Barring Security (DBS) check before they can be appointed.

Part 2

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Security Check clearance.

For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out, individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 5 years to obtain Security Check (SC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting at this higher level and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security 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.

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.

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

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 : Jon Payne
• Email : jonathan.payne@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. 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 UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk