Aquarist

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 269916**Salary**:

- £25,915 - £27,116**Job grade**:

- Executive Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Type of role**:

- Science**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Weymouth, South West England, DT4 8UBAbout the job

**Job summary**:
In the aquarium facility at the Cefas Weymouth Laboratory we work with finfish, crustacea and molluscs to support high quality science and evidence for governments, academia and industry. In this role you will join a professional, dedicated team delivering a wide range of aquatic stock husbandry services across the facility, actively championing a positive culture of care, and ensuring the highest quality standards for our research. Responsibilities will include maintenance of fish rearing systems and fish husbandry, and biosecurity according to local, legislative and quality requirements.

After completion of training, you will be expected to join a rota system, requiring limited working outside of normal working hours, to provide care and welfare of fish at weekends and 'on-call' duties. This is a laboratory-based role, with limited opportunities for working from home.
- and late-career changers with transferrable skills, people from all backgrounds and circumstances regardless of disability, gender, age, ethnicity, LGBT+ identity and socio-economic status.

**Job description**:
You will work in a role that is helping to support the highest quality scientific research enhancing the UK's capability and capacity to protect wild and farmed aquatic animals from disease, chemicals, and climate change. The working environment and specific daily requirements will vary depending on the species you are caring for and the research programmes being undertaken.

You will typically work around 37 hours a week but, as animal care is needed 24/7, this will include weekend and bank holiday working on a rota basis, along with the provision of emergency callout response. Overtime payments will be available for emergency call-out along with weekend and holiday work.

As an aquarist in the facility, you will work alongside the Named Animal Care Welfare Officer (NACWO) and other aquarists as part of a team responsible for the day-to-day care of aquatic animals, including fish and invertebrates. You will need to:

- be familiar with the Animal (Scientific Procedure) 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, safely movement of the animals) and live feed cultures
- maintain biosecurity in all areas of the facility for example cleaning tanks, equipment and fittings
- monitor abiotic (e.g., water quality, lights, temperature) and biotic (e.g., stocking density, feed ratio, behaviour) variables to ensure that they remain appropriate for the species and life stages
- collect and record data related to stock management, animal health and related treatments
- monitor the condition of animals, recognise behavioural or health issues associated with the species and assist in resolving concerns
- provide out-of-hours cover and emergency callout response for all aquatic rearing and holding facilities on a rota basis, as well as assist with essential system maintenance as required by the Aquarium Services Manager.

**Person specification**:
You should have a good understanding of the care and maintenance needs of freshwater and marine aquatic species and should be able to demonstrate experience of working in practical settings with aquatic species previously.

You should be able to demonstrate experience and knowledge of fish health, feeding, general care, welfare, and water quality monitoring.

Ideally you will have 2 'A' levels, including Biology, however, demonstrable relevant experience will also be considered.

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

- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together

**Benefits**:

- 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
- Staff recognition vouchers
- In-year award scheme

Things you need to know

**Selection process details**:

- This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.**Application Process**

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