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 work as part of the team in the FW&E microbiology laboratory and also link in 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 of partners in health protection, liaison with partners in public health to assist in the regional development of services and collective working with the other out-posted scientists to develop and maintain a consistent service, and coordination of local surveillance activities.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.   

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.   

Main Responsibilities:

• Ability to analyse and interpret microbiological testing information.
• Communicate complex information both written and oral, clearly and concisely, liaise with colleagues at all levels within the organisation and work across organisational boundaries.
• 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.

Main duties of the job

Management

• In collaboration with the local FW&E Unit Head, the Lead Public Health Microbiologist for FW&E Microbiology Services, the Deputy Director for Field Service, and the Consultant in Public Health Infection, 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, Field Service (FS) and Health Protection Operations as a whole.
• To support the aims and objectives of the FW&E Microbiology Services and Field Service.
• To ensure effective internal communications which result in cascade of information to appropriate staff.
• 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 view all main duties of the role, professional development and key working relationships, please see the attached Job Description.

Essential Criteria

As part of this recruitment campaign we will only be assessing against the below 8 essential criteria's: 

Qualifications:

• 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 - To check if youre eligible, please follow the link to The Food Safety (Sampling and Qualifications) Regulations 2013 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2013/264/made

Knowledge and experience:

• Experience in the investigation of infections transmitted through food, water or the environment as well as wider issues of Environmental Health
• Experience of managing and developing effective stakeholder relationships
• Experience of data collection and analysis including that for surveillance of food, environmental hazards, infection and disease
• Experience of presenting data and/or training to groups at different levels

Skills & Capabilities

• Able to liaise with colleagues at all levels within the organisation and work across organisational boundaries
• Willingness to travel both locally and nationally

Desirable Criteria

• Previous health, NHS, or environmental health sector experience and experience of multidisciplinary projects involving investigations, research or development
• Ability to manage a team, to include, recruitment and selection, development, and training of people, planning and allocating and delegating activities and reviewing performance
• Ability to manage projects within given timescales and budgetary requirements, prepared to work flexibly and out of hours when business needs demand
• Demonstrate personal career development

• 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 : Jessica Wray
• Email : [email protected]

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]