FW&E Out-Posted Scientist

This post is primarily for co-ordination and delivery of food, water and environmental (FW&E) microbiology services to partners in public health. The post-holder will link in with the FW&E microbiology laboratories and also work as part of a team with colleagues in the Field Service during outbreak investigations and in developing preventative strategies. The post-holder will liaise with all local partners in health protection both within UKHSA (particularly colleagues within the Field Service and Health Protection Teams) and with those outside UKHSA (e.g. local authorities, port health authorities, NHS Trust laboratories and government bodies such as the Health and Safety Executive, the Food Standards Agency and Animal and Plant Health Agency) for the delivery of FW&E services.

The role includes interpretation of laboratory results and advice on appropriate action, sampling support, inspection of sites, training health protection partners and liaison with public health partners to assist in the regional development of services. Collective working with the other out-posted scientists to develop and maintain a consistent service, and coordination of local surveillance activities. You will also have a background of at least five years’ experience as a senior FW&E Microbiologist or as a qualified Environmental Health Officer, or equivalent.

Location

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) offers hybrid working – this means that whilst the role will be based at our UKHSA Colindale lab, there will be opportunities for an element of working from home. The balance between home and workplace working is to be agreed with the line manager, determined primarily by business needs and in line with departmental policy. There will also be the requirement for an element of national travel as required.

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.*

Working Pattern – Full Time

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• To assist in the co-ordination of local and wider regional FW&E Microbiology services.
• To assist in the development and direction of local strategies that are aligned with the national strategies of FW&E Microbiology Services.
• To support the aims and objectives of the FW&E Microbiology Services and Field Service.
• To take a lead for specific areas of work and represent FW&E Microbiology Services and Field Services at National and International meetings as appropriate.
• To contribute to management information on workload, finance and performance indicators
• Analyse and interpret microbiological testing information.
• Communicate complex information both written and oral, clearly and concisely with colleagues at all levels within the organisation and work across organisational boundaries.
• Deliver training and presentation of data to stakeholders.
• Analyse, interpret and evaluate information when problem solving and making decisions.
• To provide regional development of services by review, analysis and interpretation of complex facts, specialist FW&E data and surveillance data and make appropriate judgements and interpretations which contribute to the regional and national development of public health delivery within FW&E Microbiology Services and Field Services.
• To provide local surveillance of food and water safety and quality using FW&E results and provide information on the potential for infection from the environment in relation to the health of the local
• To participate and offer support in the investigation and control of food and waterborne outbreaks including participation with and advice to incident/outbreak control
• To be responsible for ensuring service and developments are maintained at a high
• To contribute to service continuity and contingency plans for the provision of appropriate responses to adverse incidents including those for large
• Manage a team (if required), to include, recruitment and selection, development, and training of people, planning and allocating and delegating activities and reviewing performance. Analyse, interpret and evaluate information when problem solving and making decisions.  Use IT systems within an office environment; demonstrate a high level of motivation and commitment to high standards; willingness to travel both locally and nationally.
• To contribute to the FW&E Microbiology Services compliance with relevant standards, governance and statutory requirements, in particular UKAS / ISO17025 Accreditation

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary. Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria: 

Essential 

• Postgraduate qualification equivalent to MSc with a major component of public health, medical microbiology, food water or environmental microbiology
• Eligible to be a Food Examiner or a Member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health with maintenance of CPD accordingly
• Knowledge of FW&E laboratory procedures and interpretation of microbiological results
• Understanding and strategic awareness of the environment in which the UKHSA operates
• Experience in the investigation of infections transmitted through food, water or the environment as well as wider issues of Environmental Health
• Experience of data collection and analysis including that for surveillance of food, environmental hazards, infection and disease
• Experience of quality management systems e.g. UKAS and ISO 17025
• Experience of risk management
• Experience and understanding of health and safety including in laboratory environments and premises related to food and water production

Desirable

• Previous health, NHS, or environmental health sector experience

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Job contact :

• Name : Jon Payne
• Email : ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com

Recruitment team

• Email : ukhsa.recruitment@reed.com