Epidemiological Support Scientist (SD22/256, 257, 258) Worcestershire
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About the job
Job summary
This post will contribute to and support the profile of epidemiological research and surveillance projects in the fields of national and international veterinary public health within the Epidemiological Sciences department at Weybridge.
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 2,000 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.
Job description
To contribute to the profile of epidemiological research and surveillance projects in the fields of national and international veterinary public health. The post holder will be responsible for delegated epidemiological tasks within research and surveillance projects of the Department of Epidemiological Sciences (DES) and APHA Science departments.
Main duties include:
- Development and application of expertise in the epidemiology and control of infectious disease, GB livestock systems and endemic and exotic disease threats (particularly salmonella, bovine tuberculosis, antimicrobial resistance, and avian influenza)
- Supporting research project design and delivery through project documents design and production (protocols, questionnaires, data collection forms and schedules) and assisting with the day-to-day running of projects
- Conducting appropriate descriptive analysis on animal health surveillance and research datasets and presenting the data in effective summaries
- Contributing to the production of research project reports, disease surveillance reports and scientific publications.
- Ensuring work meets relevant quality standards
- Providing flexible support to DES as required in response to changing work requirements and priorities
- Supporting sampling visits at farms and abattoirs as required.
This post provides the holder with a broad experience in epidemiological project work in animal disease surveillance and disease control research.
Person specification
Required skills and experience:
- A relevant science degree and interest in epidemiology and veterinary public health is essential.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills. The post holder will need to liaise with farmers and other stakeholders and partners and will need the ability to adapt style to communicate scientific objectives and results with audiences with different backgrounds.
- Skills in handling quantitative data (e.g., data cleaning, validation, and results reporting).
- Ability to conduct descriptive analysis and basic statistics in appropriate software packages is essential.
- Excellent organisational skills to manage the work requirements and be responsive to changing work requirements and priorities.
- IT skills must include competency with MS Office software packages.
The post holder will need to comply with a number of health protocols and wear protective clothing and Respiratory Personal Protective Equipment (RPPE) as required.
Periodic travel within the UK will be required and this could include farm or abattoir visits as part of on-going research. The successful candidate may have to ensure that no contact is made with farmed animals for a period of 1-2 days or more before visiting livestock farms. International travel to meetings and conferences may also be required.
Out of hours work may be required in the event of an incident. Due to access requirements to biosecure areas, individuals must be physically able. You will need a valid driving licence or access to alternate means of transport.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
- Making Effective Decisions
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Delivering at Pace
Benefits
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, 1000-word personal statement and one 250-word behaviour statement. Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
In your personal statement please cover your interest in the position and detailing how you meet the skills and experience specified in the job description.
Sift
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. Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours and experience. A presentation or additional exercise may also be assessed.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Near miss
Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Defra which may be at a lower grade, but have a potential skills match.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually based in a Defra group workplace/office. 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.
As APHA have a policy of flexible working, the post holder can be located at another APHA site but regular travel to APHA Weybridge will be expected.
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 [email protected] 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 you’re 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 [email protected] 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 applicant’s 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.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. We may consider two part-time staff on a job share basis if continuity can be arranged. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share.
Higher Security Clearance
All of these posts require the successful candidate to hold basic security clearance. Candidates posted to Weybridge may be subject to a higher level of clearance because of the security requirements for that location. Job offers to these posts are made on the basis of merit. Security vetting will only take place after the receipt of a job offer.
The APHA Weybridge site is strategically important in its role supporting the Government’s response to national emergencies including disease outbreaks, and it also houses highly sensitive assets. For this reason all staff based at the APHA Weybridge site must hold a valid Counter Terrorist Check (CTC) security clearance or higher. It is the responsibility of each person applying for a post based at APHA Weybridge to ensure that they meet the residency criteria for CTC which is a minimum of 3 years. The minimum check done for any post, and this will need to be passed prior to CTC or higher security requirements, is a Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) check. This includes: identity, employment status, criminal records and nationality and immigration status. CTC will only be required if based at Weybridge.
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
Medical
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team :
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
