Colonies Animal Support Technician

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

- 244037**Salary**:

- £19,875 - £22,377- Per Annum**Grade**:

- Administrative Officer**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- High Containment and Biological Services, Science, Animal Sciences**Type of role**:

- Administration / Corporate Support
- Science**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time**Number of posts**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- UKHSA, Porton Down SalisburyAbout the job

**Summary**:
The Biological Services Group (BSG) within National Infection Service (Porton) is recruiting for an Animal Support Technician to provide technical support and husbandry duties within the unique breeding colony as part of the wider Biological Services Group (BSG).

The 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.

**Job description**:
**We are looking for**: an enthusiastic person who can demonstrate:

- keen interest in animal care and welfare issues
- safety-conscious attitude
- good understanding of why animals are used for research purposes.

**You will be** someone who feels at home in a close-knit team environment.

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 Biological Services Group provides high containment _in-vivo_ research services, with the primary aim of protecting the UK public from a range of health risks. Ongoing areas of work include vaccine batch release testing, influenza, COVID-19, tuberculosis, anthrax, and emerging human pathogens.

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.

**Responsibilities**:
The duties of the role will incloude:

- 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.
- Contribute to study work completed at the colonies including those using infection agents at ACDP containment level 2 and 3, undertaking associated safety precautions.
- Support with basic post-mortem examination and removal of specified tissue.
- Work with a variety of bespoke caging systems used at the colonies.
- 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.
- Participate in the regular review of Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and Risk Assessments.
- 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.

Appropriate further training and personal professional development will be provided and are positively encouraged.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by your line manager.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the division and UKHSA.

It should be noted that the work of the division is of a confidential nature and must not be communicated to other persons except where required for authorised purposes.

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

- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace

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

- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with f