Virology Department Building Officer (CR1950)

Do you want to be part of a team safeguarding standards of animal and plant health and welfare? 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.

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 Virology department is a multi-disciplinary team with a statutory remit in named reportable, endemic, notifiable and exotic diseases for the delivery of research, diagnostic services and surveillance programmes. As the Virology Department Building Officer (BO), you will be responsible for the low containment laboratories and assist in the operation of three independent high containment facilities. These facilities, and therefore the post, are critical in supporting the delivery of statutory diagnostic and surveillance requirements, outbreak responses and APHA research activities.

Main areas of work will include:

• Deputise for the High containment building officer for Virology Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens (ACDP)3 / Specified Animal Pathogens Order (SAPO)4 facilities
• Act as the main contact for Virology containment level 2 (CL2) laboratory facilities and be responsible for day-to-day management of the laboratory facilities.
• Assist with the management of the SAPO3 laboratories in liaison with the SAPO3 building officer and their deputies
• Act as the deputy Safety Advisor for VIH workgroup
• Be proactive in liaising and collaborating with key stakeholders, including staff in the Virology department, the APHA Safety, Health and Wellbeing Dept. (SHaW), Facilities Management, and external contractors
• Ensure the facilities are functional and compliant with APHA Safety Policies, Standards and Guidance to permit safe and effective delivery of the required work activities
• Ensure the facilities are compliant with the relevant legislation (i.e. SAPO, ACDP, Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained use) Regulations, and the Anti-Terrorism Crime and Security Act)
• Provide local decision-making regarding safety and compliance for the low containment laboratories and advise and direct Virology staff and senior managers accordingly
• Oversee and ensure the equipment within the buildings is functional and well maintained, according to schedule in liaison with nominated persons and their deputies
• Work with key stakeholders including Facilities Management and external contractors to ensure repairs, maintenance and calibrations are undertaken.
• Ensure that relevant documentation is up to date and when required, report incidents, contribute to investigations, and provide information for and attend relevant safety meetings including with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
• Provide building inductions, training of staff, competency assessments, and deliver drills for staff in emergency procedures.
• Assist with the Planned Preventative Maintenance (PPM) shutdowns and preparatory activities including attend PPM facility shutdown meetings and other relevant building-related and safety meetings
• Responsibility to make and act on rapid decisions, for reasons of safety and / or compliance, including liaising with, advising and directing relevant staff and others, including senior managers
• Participate in and conduct safety inspections and prepare, amend, and review safety documentation where required
• Line management of building support staff and functional management of nominated persons for CL2 laboratories
• Perform Ad hoc monitoring of own and other staff in high containment facilities
• Incident response coordinator for Virology buildings
• Undertake expected training for the role, i.e Institution of Occupational Safety and Health (IOSH), Institute of Safety in Technology and Research (ISTR) and National Examination Board in Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH)
• Be part of the on-call rota for the high containment facilities, and with prior notice, attend site at weekends/out of hours to cover building maintenance/issues.

You will need to demonstrate the following:

• Knowledge of laboratory safety standards and guidance documents, including relevant qualifications g. NEBOSH General Certificate or equivalent experience
• Experience of writing SOPs and risk assessments
• Understanding of laboratory techniques molecular and serology techniques
• Knowledge of SAPO and ACDP legislation
• Good written and communication skills
• Computer literacy with Microsoft Office, SharePoint Online and database software

Qualifications

• BSc degree or equivalent experience in biological sciences.

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. For this reason 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.

Workplace arrangements

The post holder must work from the location listed in the Location section of the advert.

This post requires you to be working in the Laboratory five days per week or less if part-time on a job share.

Ways of Working

Periodic travel within the UK and Europe may be required to attend training courses, conferences and scientific meetings. A valid full driving licence is necessary or access to an alternative means of transport.

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.

The successful candidate will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required. The work involved in this post can be physically demanding, as it involves long periods of time on your feet working in the laboratory as well as moving around site from one laboratory to another. It also involves repetitive actions e.g. pipetting and lifting of waste containers that may be heavy. A level of physical fitness is required to access biosecure areas due to the need to access the buildings and requirement to wear personal protective equipment which in some laboratories requires a full change of clothes.

Health clearance

The post will also require Health clearance. You will be expected to complete a questionnaire on your general health and have any necessary vaccinations or health surveillance, including Rabies, Influenza A, Tetanus and Skin Sensitisers. This will be arranged by the Health Team, Weybridge. It may also be necessary to undergo a pre-employment medical assessment.