Animal Support Technician

Grade AO (National) - £22,194 to £24,184

UKHSA Porton Down

FTC Contract - 1 Year

We have an exciting opportunity to join the High Containment and Biological Services operate within and supports the wider UKHSA mission to provide health security for the nation by protecting from infectious disease and external hazards. The colonies, based near Salisbury, operate every day of the year, supporting the provision of animal models of scientific enquiry.

As an Animal Support Technician role is key in providing high quality animal care and environmental enrichment for the animals. Working with the wider colonies team, you will be maintaining the highest standards of animal welfare ensuring the animals and facilities are Home Office compliant. This role is primarily a physical role, ensuring the environment is clean and nutritional requirements for the animals are fulfilled. Weekend work (paid as overtime) is on a rota and will be introduced after a period of induction to the facility.

UKHSA Porton Down
- On-site
- Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern - Full Time

Working for the UKHSA

**Benefits**:
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 average employer contribution of 27%

Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA 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. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices | 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More | Help with Costs | GOV.UK

**Responsibilities section**:
The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:
Work with the Colonies team performing routine animal husbandry, continually striving to maintain the highest standards of care and welfare of all NHPs.

To recognise, report and record ill health and welfare issues in the NHPs and support with vet duties. Document and communicate issues to relevant team members, e.g. line manager, NACWO or Named Vet.

Support the development, implementation and maintenance of environmental enrichment to enhance the wellbeing of the NHPs.

Record all information regarding duties performed in relevant documentation and within specific guidelines.

Assist with the supervision of specific designated areas such as the Prep
- room, Surgical procedures room, X-ray processing room, Sample Receipt and Storage areas, (the post holder takes full responsibility of areas in the absence of the Supervisor).

Ensure equipment used within the colonies is maintained, serviceable and in date for use at all times, reporting faults as identified and moving equipment as required by projects.

Take part in rota system for weekend and public holiday working and essential ‘out of hours’ scoring of NHPs in study.

Perform all duties within guidelines laid down by the Home Office, Health and Safety Executive, Defra and MHRA.

To perform any other duties required by the Line manager commensurate with grade.

Complete necessary training to undertake role safely, as identified through the training matrix and in discussion with your line manager and maintain own training record.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Please see job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

**Essential Criteria**:
Essential

Experience of working in a safety critical environment

Can demonstrate reliability & the ability to work as part of a team

Ability to keep detailed and accurate records

An understanding of the requirement to continually review processes with the aim to improve animal welfare through refinement of husbandry and procedural techniques.

Desirable

National Certificate in Animal Technology

Theoretical and practical training for working at ACDP CL3 in an in-vivo setting

Experience of working in a GLP environment

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.

Selection process details

**STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT**:
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 - INTERVIEW

This competition will involve a face to face interview.

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteri