Salmonella Technical Officer (CR3352)

Job summary

Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare?

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.

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.

The Bacteriology Department is responsible for research and surveillance activity on endemic and exotic veterinary and zoonotic pathogens with UK wildlife, food-producing animals and domesticated pets. Within the department, the Field Epidemiology and Surveillance Workgroup (BAC2) has a focus on endemic zoonotic bacteria and antimicrobial resistance regarding food producing animals and minimising risks to public health.

BAC2 is seeking an experienced microbiologist for the post of Salmonella Technical Officer to support the APHA delivery of the Salmonella strategy. The work will involve technical support to the Salmonella National Reference Laboratory team, and oversight of the performance of Defra-approved Salmonella testing laboratories for the Salmonella National Control Programme. You will work alongside the APHA One Health team to deliver expert appraisal of applications for Defra-approved laboratory (DAL) status, conduct audits of laboratories, write associated reports, and provide training. The post can be based at any APHA laboratory location but requires travel to APHA Weybridge and external sites.

This post is a fixed-term contract that will end on 31st March 2028.

Job description

1. Provide external and internal auditing, training, and advisory services for APHA and DALs at multiple locations across the UK. Plan and conduct auditing to monitor compliance with Defra and APHA procedures for approved laboratories, relevant International Standards and to facilitate improvements in business processes.
2. Provide oversight of the performance of Defra-approved Salmonella testing laboratories, primarily those testing National Control Programme (NCP) samples under Control Salmonella Poultry Order (CSPO), but also those testing Poultry Health Scheme (PHS) samples under Trade in Animal Related Products (TARP).
3. Liaise with disease and test consultants, Department of Epidemiological Sciences, United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS), proficiency testing team, APHA One Health and DALs teams to deliver expert appraisal of applications for laboratory approval.
4. Provide audits (and associated reports) of laboratories (located at multiple sites across the UK) which apply for Defra approval (on a 2-yearly basis) or in cases of performance issues.
5. Collation and analysis of approved laboratory test and quality assurance data including commentary on participant performance in the VETQAS proficiency testing (PT).
6. Contribution towards an annual ring trial of approved laboratories using a challenging faecal matrix with low Salmonella
7. Act as APHA representative, liaising with UKAS (if required), APHA Quality/ISO17025 teams and VETQAS Sutton Bonington, with regards to DAL Salmonella-related quality assurance procedures and the DAL inspection programme. Coordinate and advise on the effective response to findings raised at external and internal audits.
8. Maintain and develop expertise in ISO17025, ISO9001 and ISO17043.
9. Provide advice and summary reports on issues affecting the DAL scheme to the National Reference Laboratory (NRL) and DALs teams.
10. Troubleshoot and resolve quality issues/ findings.
11. Responsibility for establishment of effective and efficient implementation and communication of quality initiatives across the DAL network.
12. Identification of opportunities for efficiency gains and continual improvement through appropriate harmonisation of methods and procedures across DALs sites, through production of training material and participation in DALs meetings and training events.
13. Work with personnel to ensure the NCP samples that are destined for testing at the DALs, are fit for purpose (along with accompanying paperwork).
14. Support APHA delivery of the Salmonella strategy on behalf of Defra via APHA project FZ2000 (Surveillance of Salmonella in animals). The work will involve oversight of the performance of Defra-approved Salmonella testing laboratories, primarily those testing NCP samples under the CSPO, but also those testing PHS samples under TARP for both Salmonella and Mycoplasma.
15. Liaise with stakeholders including managers of DALs, disease and test consultants, DES (Department of Epidemiological Sciences) and the DALs team, UKAS. They are responsible for the collation and analysis of approved laboratory test data on an annual basis. They will work alongside the APHA One Health team to deliver expert appraisal of applications for laboratory approval. Additionally, they will conduct audits of laboratories, write associated reports, and provide training. They will also provide support to ensure the samples collected on farms, hatcheries etc. and destined for testing at the DALs, are fit for purpose, across multiple sites in the UK.
16. There will also be involvement with the VETQAS PTs team for both the provision of comments on participant performance in the VETQAS PTs and contribution to an annual ring trial for approved laboratories using a challenging faecal matrix with low Salmonella levels. The postholder will also contribute to future developments in EQA/PT and be involved in other general work relating to quality assurance within APHA.
17. There will be opportunity to contribute to relevant research projects and scientific publications.

Person specification

Experience and skills:

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Demonstrable work experience in an ISO accredited laboratory environment, including experience of audits (received or administered).
• Working knowledge of quality assurance methods e.g. technical standard ISO 17025 with audit experience.
• Ability to compile evidence, analyse data and produce reports.
• Strong communication skills (verbal and written) to effectively work with team members and collaborators.
• Ability to plan and deliver complex and challenging work objectives.
• A BSc in biological sciences or an equivalent qualification, or have significant and extensive working experience in a life sciences laboratory environment.

Location
The postholder can be based at APHA Headquarters Laboratory (Weybridge) or any APHA regional laboratory site subject to availability of space. The postholder will be required to travel regularly around the Agency’s locations and to private laboratories across UK. A valid full driving licence is necessary, or access to a suitable alternative means of transport.

Security clearance for Weybridge based staff
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. 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. Applicants must 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.

Ways of working
Travel within the UK will be required, sampling farming and food production sites, visiting laboratories, attending training courses and scientific meetings.

The post-holder cannot keep pigs or poultry or live on premises with domestic livestock or poultry.

Health clearance
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 respiratory and skin sensitisers, Tetanus, & Q Fever. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• As the successful post holder will be required to deliver training, you will be required to deliver a clear and concise presentation that demonstrates your technical knowledge of the subject area and how you would apply this in the role

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,895, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £10,398 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).

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.
• Three days special leave with pay, per year, for volunteering (pro-rata for part-time employees).
• Making it work for you - With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances.
• We also have a social committee who run team building and fun events at the Weybridge site

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.

Learning and 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. This can include a variety of courses, Apprenticeships, paid Masters and PhD and on-the-job training specific to 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.

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, 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 500-word Personal Statement of how you match the details in the Person Specification – 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 Behaviour statement of 250 words for the following Behaviour: Making Effective Decisions, following the Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK framework for the grade of the role. Please use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your application.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

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 using the Behaviour "Making Effective Decisions". The panel may agree a benchmark score higher than 4 with a rationale for the decision. 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 DefraRecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.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

• Your previous experiences relevant to the role requirements outlined in the advert following the Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK
• Behaviours (Seeing the Big Picture; Making Effective Decisions; Working Together; Communicating and Influencing), following the Behaviour criteria outlined in theSuccess Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UKframework for HEO positions. Please use the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to provide evidence of the Behaviours in your interview.
• Technical skills, as outlined in the job description and advert, following the Success Profiles: Technical - GOV.UKframework. These will be assessed through a maximum of a 7-minute presentation, with or without slides, followed by questions and answers. You will be scored on delivering a clear and concise presentation that demonstrates your technical knowledge of the subject area and how you would apply this in the role. Full details of the presentation will be given when you are invited for interview.

If you are selected for interview, you will receive an electronic notification to your Civil Service Jobs account.

Upon receiving the interview invitation, please log into the system to schedule your interview slot in advance.

Your interview will be conducted in person at APHA Weybridge or online.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

The interview will follow a blended approach and will last approximately 45 minutes.

A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview, offering a more inclusive approach.

The Behaviour based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential.

Behavioural questions will explore what you have done in previous jobs or experiences as well as what you have achieved and/or learned.

Technical questions assess the specific professional skills, knowledge or qualifications required for the role.

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

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.

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.

This role is a fixed term Salmonella Technical Officer position advertised in the location(s) as listed in the advert.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs offered a fixed term role will be considered on a loan opportunity (civil servants) or secondment opportunity (accredited NDPBs) for the length of the role. Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Responsibilities will include those listed within the advert. The post is permanent, and the permanent post-holder is absent for a known period. The fixed-term will end on the return of the post-holder or when the post is filled on a permanent basis by a different person. This Fixed Term Appointment will end on 31 March 2028.

The terms and conditions on which you will join can be discussed with the vacancy manager at the point you are matched to a role.

The post holder must work from one of the locations listed in the Location section of the advert.

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.

Where multiple locations are listed, the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes. Please note that all listed locations are subject to desk availability.

Candidates intending to be based at Weybridge must undergo additional checks. The level of security needed to be based at Weybridge is Counter-Terrorist Check (CTC). Please note that these checks can take up to 6 months to complete and may delay your start date. See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).

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.

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.

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.

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; for further information visit the Childcare Choices website.

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

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).

All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.

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 required before taking up the post.

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.

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 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 c