Fish Health, Ageing and Species Technical Officer 1 – Molecular Diagnostics - 8823
2
East of England
Brampton
Brampton Office
Staff Grade 4
Permanent
Full Time
Other, Science
£27,138
This is an exciting opportunity to join a hard-working and high achieving national team, contributing to the protection and development of fisheries across England.
We are looking for a Technical Officer 1 to join the Fish Health, Ageing and Species team within National Fisheries Services at Brampton. You will help ensure delivery of our services to area operational teams and external fishery customers. This will include supporting fish disease incident investigations, where you will assist in a range of laboratory disciplines. The primary focus of this role will be related to development of our molecular service in support of disease diagnostics.
We are looking for a Technical Officer 1 to join the Fish Health, Ageing and Species team within National Fisheries Services at Brampton. You will help ensure delivery of our services to area operational teams and external fishery customers. This will include supporting fish disease incident investigations, where you will assist in a range of laboratory disciplines. The primary focus of this role will be related to development of our molecular service in support of disease diagnostics.
We provide national operational services and technical advice. This includes laboratory examinations and incident support during fish kills caused by disease and/or fisheries management, and health checks to support Environment Agency fish movement operations. We also provide assessment and monitoring for high risk, novel and new and emerging diseases. We are a laboratory and office based team, with post mortem work, disease diagnostics, report writing, and giving advice and guidance being integral to our role.
Practical experience in and an understanding of molecular diagnostic approaches is essential to this role. Knowledge of other disease diagnostic principles, freshwater fish diseases and freshwater fisheries is preferable.
As the successful candidate, you will be self-motivated and organised with excellent attention to detail. You should be able to prioritise demanding seasonal workloads, be comfortable working to tight deadlines, and have a pragmatic approach to achieving objectives. You will also be an excellent communicator, and should have strong influencing and inter-personal skills. A strong team ethic is essential, as is an ability to work independently as well as part of a highly motivated team.
As the successful candidate, you will be self-motivated and organised with excellent attention to detail. You should be able to prioritise demanding seasonal workloads, be comfortable working to tight deadlines, and have a pragmatic approach to achieving objectives. You will also be an excellent communicator, and should have strong influencing and inter-personal skills. A strong team ethic is essential, as is an ability to work independently as well as part of a highly motivated team.
Closing date: 2nd September 2018 at 23:55
This permanent post will be office and laboratory based, situated within the National Fisheries Laboratory, Brampton, Cambridgeshire, but may require some external travel for meetings.
For more information please contact Amy Reading at amy.reading@environment-agency.gov.uk
This permanent post will be office and laboratory based, situated within the National Fisheries Laboratory, Brampton, Cambridgeshire, but may require some external travel for meetings.
For more information please contact Amy Reading at amy.reading@environment-agency.gov.uk
02/09/2018, 23:55 hours
Basic Check
Achieves Results
The fish health team is a small national team with a high output and busy seasonal peaks of work. The successful candidate will be able to work efficiently and effectively under pressure and within tight deadlines, whilst ensuring that their work, and that of others, is of the highest standard. The development and integration of molecular diagnostic methods, alongside existing techniques, will require a positive and determined approach in order to achieve results.
Communicates Effectively
As molecular lead, the post holder will need to liaise closely with the Fish Health team, partner laboratories, and other expert external parties. They will need to be able to give clear, concise and directional instruction, and be able to interpret and share complex information in an easily digestible manner. With the Fish Health team having a wide and varied customer base, it is vital that the successful candidate is able to recognise what style and level of communication is required for different customers, and to adapt this accordingly.
Takes Decisions and Solves Problems
As lead for a key diagnostic discipline, the post holder will have responsibility for leading on day to day sample submissions. They must work effectively on their own as well as within the wider team, and be able to take decisions under pressure as well as solve problems. An ability to anticipate forth-coming issues and adjust actions as necessary is essential, as is having an awareness of when to seek help. The importance of developing networks to ensure processes and procedures are robust and efficient should be well understood and demonstrated.
Scientific Knowledge
The Fish Health team is responsible for operating a number of different laboratory areas and diagnostic disciplines, and we provide technical services on a range of subjects including fish disease and fisheries management. It is important that the successful applicant has an existing understanding of molecular approaches and an interest in developing further skills in this area.
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
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 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/become-a-crown-commercial-service-supplier/becoming-a-supplier-through-the-crown-commercial-service-what-you-need-to-know for more information.
This Vacancy is closed to applications.