Toxins Chemist X 2

Details

Reference number

357765

Salary

£27,210 - £28,400

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

GBP

Job grade

Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

CEFAS Science

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

2

Contents

• Location

• About the job

• Benefits

• Things you need to know

• Apply and further information

Location

Weymouth

About the job

Job summary

In this role, you will work alongside world class scientists at our Weymouth laboratory to deliver the UKs marine biotoxin statutory monitoring programmes. You will conduct biochemical analyses and associated laboratory activities that contribute to key work supporting public health protection and aquaculture sector sustainability.

You will help develop the teams expertise and capacity through participation in associated R&D activities in analytical chemistry for food contaminants, particularly natural aquatic toxins.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

See us here: Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com).

Job description

Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

• Receipting and preparation of shellfish samples for testing, including shucking, box handling and dispatch.

• Extraction and analysis of shellfish for natural marine toxins.

• Shellfish extract clean-up using manual and automated solid phase extraction technologies.

• Daily operation of instrumental chemical detection tools to include quantitative high performance liquid chromatography, with various detectors.

• Major focus on the application of tandem mass spectrometry methods for lipophilic and hydrophilic marine toxins, plus cyanobacterial toxins.

• Trouble shooting of instrumentation problems, quality control and quality assurance issues.

• Assisting with investigations into performance issues and partaking in analytical research projects as requested.

• Adherence to laboratory health, safety, and environment requirements.

• Assistance with general laboratory maintenance activities (accreditation, general housekeeping, calibration of equipment, preparation of reagents) as required.

• Flexible work, responding to needs of business unit, group and/or team as and when required.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Team Leaders and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

Person specification

The following are essential criteria required for this role and you must be able to demonstrate your skills and experience in the following areas:

• Practical and/or theoretical experience with analytical chemistry.

• Experience with the use of chromatography techniques.

• Previous laboratory experience, preferably working in a chemical testing laboratory to strict quality controls.

• Ability to work to written methods and procedures.

• Flexibility, including working flexible hours with some early starts (07:30) and the ability to work well in a team.

• Good timekeeping and IT skills.

• High focus on precision and accuracy.

• Must have the ability to open and process bivalve shellfish.

• Ability to work under pressure and to strict deadlines.

• A degree/HNC or equivalent in a biological or chemical science. However, relevant work experience will be considered.

NB As this job will involve the physical opening and processing of bivalve shellfish, it is not suitable for anyone with a shellfish allergy. The successful candidate will be expected to have and maintain up to date tetanus immunisation. Hepatitis A vaccination will be recommended.

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace

• Managing a Quality Service

• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,210, Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science contributes £7,346 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Generous annual leave entitlement

• Cefas offers 25 days' annul leave on entry (rising to 30 days over first 5yrs) for full-time new entrants to the Civil Service. Employees receive 8 public holidays a year, plus an additional day to mark the late Queen's birthday.

• Access to learning and development tailored to your role.

• A working environment that supports a range of flexible working options.

• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity.

• Eligible to join the Civil Service Pension scheme - more information can be found on the CSP website Home

• Civil Service Pension Scheme

• Staff recognition vouchers.

• In-year award scheme.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths and Experience.

Application Process

As part of the application process you are asked to provide a CV (job history, qualifications, past skills and experience), a 750-word personal statement on how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section, and a 250-word statement on how you meet the advertised lead behaviour Delivering at Pace.

Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.

• For guidance on Civil Service Success Profiles, this video tells you what youll need to provide throughout the assessment process with supporting guidance on each step. Link Success Profiles

• GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

• For guidance on how to construct your CV, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link

• CV

• For guidance on how to construct your personal statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link Statement

• For guidance on how to construct your lead behaviour statement, you are encouraged to visit Civil Service Careers. Link Behaviours

Sift

The sift panel will use the information in your CV and personal statement to assess your experience and how you meet the essential criteria as stated in the person specification section. The sift panel will also assess the lead behaviour statement.

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the lead behaviour Delivering at Pace. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or, progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Interview schedule and details will be confirmed on release of the sift results.

Interview

If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on the Behaviours, your Experience and your Strengths. You may also be required to give a presentation or to complete an exercise as part of the interview process. You will receive further information with your invitation.

Please be aware that interviews will take place in person, at the Weymouth laboratory.

If scores are equal following interview, an assessment of the lead behaviour Delivering at Pace will be used by the panel.

A date has not yet been confirmed for the interviews to take place.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)

Where the location is National the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defras location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

Please be aware that this role will be contractually based at Weymouth.

Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the laboratory or office locations listed in this advert in order to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business needs.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

Visa Sponsorship Statement

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.

Reasonable Adjustment

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:

• Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.

• Complete the Assistance required section in the Additional requirements page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Accessibility

If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.

Criminal Record Check

If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check may be carried out.

In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

Internal Fraud Database Check

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicants details held on the IFD will be refused employment.

A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Childcare Vouchers

Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service