Salmonella Typing and Disinfectant Team Lead (ID 4453)

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.

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, because it helps us be more innovative and make better decisions. We are dedicated to being an inclusive employer, offering equitable opportunities for all individuals. Our goal is to build a diverse workforce, and we hope to attract applications from all backgrounds and underrepresented groups.

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 & surveillance activity on endemic and exotic veterinary & zoonotic pathogens with UK wildlife, food-producing animals & domesticated pets. Within the department, the Field Epidemiology Workgroup (BAC2) has a focus on endemic zoonotic bacteria & antimicrobial resistance regarding food producing animals & minimising risks to public health. We are seeking a Team Lead for the Salmonella Typing & Disinfectant team that sits within the BAC2 workgroup. They will ensure that Salmonella typing capability is maintained to the highest standards to supporting surveillance activities & the work of the National & International Reference Laboratory for Salmonella in animals. They will ensure delivery of the Defra Disinfectant Approvals Scheme which is essential for national biosecurity and disease control. They will manage, develop and lead a group of scientists and staff within the workgroup and will have opportunity to pursue research ambitions with Salmonella or with pathogen control measures such as disinfection. They will act as a technical expert for Salmonella related international audits as requested by the UK Office of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Assurance (UKOSPTA). They will participate in the senior management team for the Workgroup, supporting the workgroup leader. They will support the National Biosecurity Centre (NBC) programme through active engagement with delivery partners to ensure provision of laboratory facilities to fulfil the activities needed.

• You will provide strategic leadership and tactical oversight to ensure APHA delivery of the statutory Salmonella serotyping functions to support the National Control Programme for Salmonella and other surveillance and research activities.
• Develop expertise in Salmonella serotyping test portfolio to provide support for test consultants.
• Lead the delivery and reporting of typing results in a timely manner.
• Support investigations into Salmonella cases and outbreaks.
• Develop skills and knowledge to support testing of Hazard Group 3 Salmonella
• Act as a technical expert for Salmonella related international audits as requested by the UK Office of Sanitary and Phytosanitary Trade Assurance (UKOSPTA).
• You will provide strategic leadership and tactical oversight to assure APHA delivery of the statutory Defra Disinfectant Approvals Scheme on behalf of Defra.
• Act as test consultant for General Orders (GO) and Tuberculosis Orders (TBO) Defra disinfectant approvals tests and lead the delivery of results to the scheme administration in a timely manner.
• Provide back-up to Defra approvals disinfectant testing capacity (GO and TBO tests).
• Maintenance of ISO17025 accreditation for the serotyping and disinfectant efficacy test portfolio.
• You will lead a large team (ca.12), with responsibility for recruitment, succession planning, training, development and line management.
• You will disseminate surveillance and research via written reports and presentations.
• You will work in multidisciplinary teams including microbiologists, epidemiologists, veterinarians, risk managers in the APHA and other collaborating organisations.
• Participate in the Field Epidemiology Workgroup (BAC2) senior leadership team to manage, organise and support workgroup functions.
• Work with colleagues from the National Science Capability and Animal Health (NSCAH) Department and the wider NBC programme to ensure laboratory facilities for essential Salmonella testing and disinfectant testing.
• Read, understand and implement Team Leader responsibilities as stated in the current APHA Health & Safety and quality policies.

You will need to demonstrate the following

• Strong communication skills to effectively collaborate with team members and stakeholders, alongside proven ability to manage projects and develop high-performing teams.
• Demonstrable leadership of scientific teams and/or projects.
• Significant expertise and experience in managing in a working ACDP Category II bacteriology laboratory in accordance with the required safety standards.
• Knowledge on the critical importance of the disinfectant approvals and Salmonella serotyping functions for veterinary and public health, animal welfare and the UK economy.
• Working knowledge of quality assurance methods e.g. technical standard ISO 17025.
• The post-holder must have valid licence for driving cars unsupervised in the UK.

Security clearance

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. 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 where the team and work is situated.

The right to work in the UK

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.

Workplace arrangements

• The post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job share if continuity can be arranged.
• The post-holder will be expected at APHA Weybridge a minimum of 60% of their working time. Some working from home within these parameters may be possible by prior agreement with Bacteriology line-management depending on business needs.
• Travel within the UK and occasionally overseas will be required, sampling farming and food production sites, visiting laboratories, attended training courses and representing APHA at scientific meetings.
• Out of hours work may be required. When overtime or out-of-hours work is required, APHA Management reserves the right to change overtime patterns to meet requirements. You may be eligible for overtime payments and where overtime is approved you will receive appropriate payment.
• Any overseas working is only allowed by line management approval and only in exceptional circumstances.
• The post-holder must comply with health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work involved in this post can be physically demanding, therefore a level of physical fitness is required.
• The post-holder cannot keep pigs or poultry or live on premises with domestic livestock or poultry.
• The post-holder will require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health (this is applicable to all roles) 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. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.