Job summary
Employer heading
Cryogenics Systems Specialist
Civil Service: Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
Job overview
Culture Collections is a world leading biological resource centre, which provides authenticated reference materials to scientists globally. The department contains five operational teams which supply cell lines (ECACC), clinical specimens (COVID Biobank), bacterial strains (NCTC), viral strains (NCPV) and fungal strains (NCPF) to scientific partners to support public health.
The collections are developed, managed, and maintained by highly trained, dedicated staff working in accordance with internationally recognized quality standards including certification to ISO 9001:2015.
Scientists across the world use Culture Collections’ cell lines and microbial strains as controls for clinical diagnostic and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, food, water and environmental microbiology testing, quality control testing, validation studies, and in disease research and drug discovery.
Main duties of the job
The post holder will ensure the Culture Collections Cryostore is operating safely and efficiently. They will be responsible for overseeing maintenance activities with internal and external contractors and contributing to the health and safety of UKHSA staff, contractors, and maintenance personnel, working in the area.
The ideal candidate will have an understanding of ultra-low temperature storage with expertise in liquid nitrogen strongly preferred. When required they will provide support to the day to day operations including receipt, storage and dispatch of Culture Collection products.
Working for our organisation
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. 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. Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
As the Cryogenics Systems Specialist, you will be expected to provide technical expertise to facilitate the delivery of Culture Collection projects and the business plan. This will include:
- planning and supervising maintenance and calibration activities for warehouse equipment.
- supervising contractors working onsite.
- working with the Warehouse Manager in identifying problems and diagnosing solutions.
- maintaining and improving standards of health and safety, hygiene and security in the warehouse environment.
- assisting with the training of warehouse staff.
- the ability to motivate, organise and encourage teamwork to ensure safety and quality standards are met or exceeded.
- assisting the planning for future capacity requirements.
- assisting the receipt, order, picking and dispatch of goods.
- deputising for the Logistics/Operations Manager as required.
- maintaining effective records to meet the needs of internal and external audits.
- having a clear understanding of Culture Collections and how the warehouse contributes to the wider business including the coordination of progress-monitoring of the business plan and risk log.
- supporting the implementation of policies, systems and standard work for the warehouse.
- liaising with customers, suppliers internal and external stakeholders within and outside UKHSA.
- providing out-of-hours support when required in an on-call rota.
- maintaining good working relationships with other UKHSA teams and departments
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 the directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.
Essential Criteria
- Educated to degree level in relevant subject (e.g.engineering) OR equivalent experience in a relevant industry (e.g. gases, refrigeration, pressure systems, cryostore, process plant)
- Experience of working in a cryogenic setting
- Clear communicator with excellent writing skills and attention to detail
- Capable of constructing and delivering clear ideas and concepts concisely and accurately for diverse audiences
- Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend and appropriate course of action to address the issues
- Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
- This is a moderately physical role with the requirement for manual handling and to work in awkward positions(e.g. climbing up small ladders, bending over storage tanks, lifting dewars).
Selection Process Details:
Stage 1: Application & Sift (Success profiles)
Success profiles will be used throughout the process, and you will be assessed against the following behaviours:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
- an Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- a 750 word Statement of Suitability
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked separately, and you must pass both to move forward to interview
Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on TBC
Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.
Please do not exceed 750 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (Success profiles)
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview
Behaviours, experience and strengths will be tested at interview.
The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Changing and Improving
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Expected Timeline:
Advert close: 23:55hrs on 3rd December 2024.
Please note, these dates are subject to change.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Eligibility Criteria
Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Location
This role is based at UKHSA Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JG. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.
Please note that this role comes with MPS increase of 10% from 01.06.2024 for 3 years.
You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.
Security Clearance Level Requirement
Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Basic Personnel Security Standard and Counter Terrorist Checks.
Person specification
Application Form
Essential criteria
- Application Form
Statement of Suitability
Essential criteria
- Statement of Suitability
Behaviours
Essential criteria
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Changing and Improving
Applicant requirements
The postholder will have access to vulnerable people in the course of their normal duties and as such this post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service to check for any previous criminal convictions.
Documents to download
Further details / informal visits contact
- Name
- Jonathan Payne
- Job title
- Resourcing Support
- Email address
- [email protected]
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