Find More Than 10K+
United Kingdom Jobs

Applications are invited for a fixed-term, full-time technician to provide support in the public health research laboratories. This will help with collection, preparation, logging samples and monitoring chemical properties of the samples.

Specifically, we are seeking the technician to collect water samples from water treatment sites across North Wales. The technician will also be responsible for maintaining the autosamplers used to collect the samples. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with the Welsh Government, in support of Wales’ National response to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic and other public health related issues.

A company vehicle will be provided, and journeys will range from 10-150 miles (round trips). The successful candidates will usually start their journeys by 8am, so individuals will need to be available for early starts. Work is anticipated to be 5 days per week (Monday - Friday) and 36.25 hours per week.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.

Candidates should be educated to GCSE standard or NVQ level 2 in a relevant subject area. This important work is required to assist us in our current response to track and control the spread of COVID19 and so we are seeking reliable individuals with a driving license . The successful candidate will be expected to commence work as soon as possible and the post is available until 30th November 2023.

Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 31 May 2023

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

College

The College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering at Bangor University is one of the leading centres in the UK for teaching and research in a range of science subjects. With over 2,500 students and 350 academic, technical and administrative staff, the College consists of three academic schools: Natural Sciences; Ocean Sciences; and Computer Science & Electronic Engineering.

School

The School of Natural Sciences conducts world-leading research and teaching across a diverse range of topics including zoology, biology, forestry, geography, agriculture and conservation. With Bangor University being based in stunning North Wales the school is the obvious choice for students and researchers interested in the natural world and environment. Alongside having the forests and mountains of Snowdonia, and the cliffs and sandy beaches of Anglesey on our doorstep, the School of Natural Sciences also boasts cutting-edge laboratories and analysis equipment, a botanic garden, research farm, animal care facilities, aquariums, growth rooms and greenhouses, and a natural history museum.

Purpose of the Job

The technician will support the research and surveillance activities in the national laboratory for public health surveillance based at Bangor University. This will help with collecting samples of wastewater at urban wastewater treatment plants, hospitals and other sites (e.g. airports) in line with our Welsh Government contractual arrangements. The technician will be responsible for logging the samples, shipping them to the central laboratory, undertaking routine maintenance of the sampling equipment and monitoring basic properties of the samples. The technician will also support laboratory activities as and when required.

The technician will collect water samples from sites across North Wales. This work is being undertaken in collaboration with the Welsh Government, in support of Wales’ National response to the Coronavirus pandemic.

A company vehicle will be provided to access the sampling sites, and journeys will range from 10-150 miles (round trips). Role-holders will usually start their journeys early in the morning (e.g. 7-8 am), so individuals will need to be available for early starts. Work is anticipated to be 5 days per week, approximately 36.25 hours per week.

This important work is required to assist us in our current response to track and control the spread of COVID-19 and other pathogens.

The main place of work will be the School of Natural Science (Brambell Building) based on the Bangor University campus.

The technicians will report directly to the Laboratory Manager (Denis Williams). The overall manager for the national laboratory for public health surveillance is Prof Davey Jones.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Driving a vehicle to wastewater treatment plants and other sites to collect water samples.
Returning samples to the central laboratory at Bangor University within the required time and storing them in the designated place. Informing laboratory staff of any issues affecting the samples.
Following designated routes to various sites and being flexible if circumstances change.
Preparation and labelling of bottles and accurate recording of data.
Understanding and complying with all site health and safety rules and following all on-site procedures.
Attending site inductions at wastewater collection sites as required.
Keeping site keys and access cards issued by the water companies safe and secure.
Operation of automatic sample collecting equipment (Autosamplers) including cleaning and routine maintenance of the equipment.
Diagnosis and correction of minor faults and reporting more serious problems to the appropriate person.
Taking Manual (Grab samples) when required (e.g. in case of autosampler failure).
Assisting in the laboratories when required.
Taking samples and sampling equipment to and from other locations when required.
Making temperature and other measurements at sites and in the lab when requested to do so.
Driving and ensuring the safety of Bangor University vehicles (Including Hired Vehicles), Performing routine checks (Oil, Water, Tyres etc) and reporting any faults to the Laboratory Manager.
Completing Bangor University’s online vehicle insurance form and registering as a college driver.
Purchasing fuel for the vehicles using a fuel card provided and keeping records of purchases (Receipts etc).
Logging visits to Dwr Cymru/Welsh Water sites using an online form.
Working to Bangor University Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and Method Statements and understanding Risk Assessments.
Replacing and recharging batteries in portable autosamplers.
Liaising and cooperating with site staff and other project stakeholders.
Working outside normal working hours and during bank Holidays and weekends if required.

Other Duties and Responsibilities

The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
The post holder will be expected to comply with the University equal opportunities policies, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Policy and the Welsh Language Standards.
The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.

Person Specification

Essential:

Minimum of 5 GCSEs at grades A* - C (incl. English and Maths) or NVQ level 2 in a relevant subject area.
A basic standard of literacy and numeracy.
Current full UK driving license with a good understanding of Highways Act.
Good concentration skills, enabling effective judgements over prolonged journeys.
Strong customer service skills with the ability to initiate and build good working relationships with external partners.
Ability to deal promptly, effectively and courteously with requests for information or services.
Ability to follow instructions and work independently within set procedures/practices.
Ability to undertake some manual handling, with appropriate supportive equipment provided.
Proven experience of good timekeeping.

Desirable:

Experience in environmental sampling.
Experience in maintenance of wastewater sampling equipment.
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.

We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.

All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.

All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University's Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.