Senior Technical and Scientific Officer- Histology Lead - 29943
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Senior Technical and Scientific Officer- Histology Lead - 29943
Senior Technical and Scientific Officer- Histology Lead - 29943
Number of jobs available
1
Region
East of England
City/Town
Brampton
Grade
Staff Grade 4
Post Type
Permanent
Role Type
Science
Working Pattern
Full Time
Salary Minimum
£33,000
Closing Date:
08/12/2024, 23:55 hours
Job description attachment 1
Job description attachment 2
Candidate pack
Security checks level
Basic Check
Job description
We are seeking a Grade 4 Technical and Scientific Officer to join the National Fisheries Laboratory (NFL) team in Brampton, Cambridgeshire as our Histology Lead.
You will oversee the management and delivery of the NFL's histology service, with responsibilities for the supervision and training of other technical and scientific officers, working with senior team members to priorities workloads and drive and deliver operations, from receiving and processing of samples to quality assurance of data, interpretation and reporting. This service is key to supporting the NFL's activities, including for fish health assessments, disease and non-native species investigations.
You will have operational responsibility for the management of the histology laboratory, ensuring standards and quality, maintaining equipment and supplies, writing operational instructions, COSHH and Risk Assessments, organising and prioritising workloads, report writing and record keeping. You will contribute to understanding, interpretation and communication of pathogen and disease findings, including their impact and characterisation. You will also support the strategic development of the service, make decisions and seek opportunities for better ways of working.
You will also work across range of other laboratory and core disciplines as necessary. This will involve direct support to post-mortem investigations, where dissection, sample collection, handling, and processing will be a key element of your role. You will also work collaboratively with other disease diagnostic leads while maintaining the highest standards of health, safety, and wellbeing.
You will also be expected to support across other functions as required, including our incident response obligations relating to fish disease and non-native fish species and/ or to support incident response across the business.
At the Environment Agency we aspire for inclusivity to thrive in our workforce. We embrace equal opportunities and flexible work arrangements, ensuring everyone can contribute and succeed.
The team
National experts, the NFL protect the environment from risks associated with fish disease and non-native fish species, our work also directly contributes to the organisation's monitoring and regulation of fish and fisheries. We identify, monitor and limit the impact of current and future threats to fisheries and the aquatic environment through the delivery of post-mortem and laboratory diagnostics (parasitology, bacteriology, histology, molecular, ageing) and the provision of technical advice and guidance to inform our regulations.
Experience/skills required
Essential
Practical experience of histological processes.
Experience working in laboratory teams.
A biological / scientific background.
Leading people or areas of work.
Maintenance of health, safety and quality standards.
Excellent attention to detail, effective planning skills and workload prioritisation.
An ability to take initiative, be flexible, solve problems and make decisions.
A strong team ethic as well as an ability to work both independently and through others.
An excellent communicator at all levels and in multiple forms.
Desirable
Sound scientific knowledge of disease diagnostic principles, freshwater fish diseases and freshwater fisheries.
Experience of the pathobiology and/or histopathology of fish, specifically to aid disease diagnosis.
Day to day management of a laboratory or diagnostic workflow.
Experience of training or coaching others to defined quality standards.
Knowledge of aquatic non-native species and pathogens, particularly in relation to freshwater fish.
Experience of working well with a variety of customers, partners and /or stakeholders.
Contact and additional information
The role is based within the National Fisheries Laboratory, Brampton, Cambridgeshire. Occasional travel for meetings, events and site visits may be required.
We operate a 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday service. You will be required to support with an incident response role and across our core disciplines as necessary to ensure delivery of our services as required and be expected to support our fisheries incident response service, which may on occasion be outside of these hours.
We offer flexible working as well as a host of other employee benefits.
Interviews are expected to take place in December.
If you have any other questions, please contact Technical Specialist Amy Reading Amy.Reading@environment-agency.gov.uk or Laboratory Manager Emma Nolan Emma.Nolan@environment-agency.gov.uk
Competence 1
Applies Analytical Knowledge and Experience
Description
Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be blind assessed and used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Please demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role in your answers.
Applies acquired knowledge and experience to produce and interpret results from samples analysed in the laboratory. Please provide an example of when you have used histology to inform outcomes.
Competence 2
Achieves Results
Description
Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be blind assessed and used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Please demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role in your answers.
Please provide an example of how you have achieved results, setting and delivering high work standards, demonstrating the drive to meet targets, prioritising and organising tasks and resources to ensure timely achievement of results.
Competence 3
Coaches Others
Description
Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be blind assessed and used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Please demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role in your answers.
Uses variety of methods, including direct instruction, coaching and feedback skills to help others to develop. Please provide an example of how you have coached/trained others, how you went about this and how any difficulties were overcome
Competence 4
Communicates Effectively
Description
Please note that your answers to the capability questions will be blind assessed and used for shortlisting purposes. You may find researching the STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) useful when answering the questions. Please demonstrate how you meet the requirements of the role in your answers.
Listens and questions to understand and engage. Conveys information and ideas clearly, accurately and persuasively through speech and writing. Please provide an example of how you have used effective communication to deliver something.
If you are applying from the Civil Service please note that the Environment Agency is not a part of HM Civil Service and you would not be a Crown Servant in the event of being appointed. Therefore, you will not be eligible for continuous service. For applicants who currently work in local government or other bodies listed in the Redundancy Payments (Continuity of Employment in Local Government etc) (Modification) Order 1999, you may be eligible for continuous service for the purpose of calculating any future redundancy payment. If you are unsure of your status then you should contact your own HR Team.
We are fully committed to having a diverse and inclusive workforce to reflect the communities we serve. We welcome flexible working patterns for all our vacancies, including job share, so please include clearly any information regarding your preferred working arrangements on your application.
We also have a Guaranteed Interview Policy to support those with a disability who are seeking employment. We have committed to guaranteeing an interview to anyone with a disability whose application meets the minimum criteria for the post.
The Environment Agency, as a Non-Departmental Public Body, is committed to providing value for money and utilises Central Government frameworks and contracts for all external recruitment needs. For this reason, we are unable to engage with the market directly through post, email or phone calls . Should you wish to become a support supplier on one of these frameworks or contracts please visit for more information.