Animal Technician

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

- 357328**Salary**:

- £27,245 - £27,245- London: £27, 245 Pro-rata for job share.- A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%**Job grade**:

- Administrative Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- APHA - Science - Pathology & Animal Sciences Department**Type of role**:

- Science**Working pattern**:

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

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- New Haw, South East England, KT15 3NBAbout the job

**Job summary**:
Can you help us protect the biosecurity of Great Britain, safeguarding animal health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy?

If so, why not join us and make a difference.

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.

This advertised role is to join the Animal Sciences team of 50 multidisciplined technicians, vets, and administrative staff. The department is responsible for delivering animal studies that inform Defra policy, advance scientific understanding and improve animal welfare in the UK and beyond. Animal Technicians at APHA have the unique opportunity to specialise in a wide variety of roles, ranging from low to high containment, and from small animals to livestock.

Daily responsibilities primarily consist of the daily husbandry, care and welfare of a wide range of species ensuring the highest welfare standards, and conducting regulated procedures under license for which full training & accreditation is provided. Staff will also routinely use both laboratory and agricultural machinery as part of their role, and may be involved in the collection and delivery of livestock. The post will require a diverse range of tasks involved, and there are always opportunities for development for keen and proactive individuals.

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 work in the Animal industry if you have a keen interest in animals and animal science. We have a variety of training opportunities available to support your career at APHA. We are after individuals with a passion for working with animals and promoting their welfare.

No previous research experience needed as training will be provided in the role.

**Job description**:
**You can be expected to cover the following duties. Training and supervision will be provided.**
- Daily animal care, health checks and husbandry (including rearing from birth), of both stock and experimental livestock, poultry species and small laboratory animals. Liaising with the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer and Named Veterinary Surgeons regarding the welfare of animals under your care.
- Observations and monitoring of experimental animals, recording of clinical signs and other data and ensuring information is passed to the relevant people.
- Unloading, collection, transport and storage of animal bedding, feed, consumables and equipment.
- Assist with veterinary and technical procedures associated with animal identification, weighing, restraint, sample collection, feed preparations and experimental work.
- Operation of heavy duty and agricultural machinery, including but not limited to tractors, forklifts, telehandlers, Quadbikes, and Skidsteer loaders.
- The use of specialist equipment as required, including but not limited to autoclaves, animal weigh scales, hot air ovens, bottle washers and water pressure washers.
- Undertake experimental Home Office procedures (under licence), including Schedule 1 Techniques, and the management of associated records. Full training will be provided.
- Contribute to refinement of animal procedures or studies.
- Maintaining disease security in animal facilities, cleaning and decontamination of animal accommodation, equipment, storage and support accommodation.
- To comply with APHA Health and Safety policy.
- The post holder is required to achieve appropriate competence, write and review SOPs and take part in quality audits.

**Communication**
- The jobholder will demonstrate very good interpersonal and communication skills, and be well organised.
- Requirement to communicate effectively with a wide range of staff including study leaders, vets, welfare officers.

**Quality**

The Jobholder is requ