Safety Coordinator

NHS

  • Salisbury Porton, Wiltshire
  • £40,661-46,613 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 12 hours ago
This is a rare opportunity to support the unique scientific research which is conducted at UKHSA Porton Down.Together the Countermeasures Development, Evaluation, and Preparedness Division and the Diagnostic and Pathogen Characterisation Division at Porton have approximately 300 staff and play a crucial role in pandemic preparedness, including the development of vaccines, assays and diagnostics for pathogens with pandemic potential.Broadly, the divisions undertake research into understanding these infectious diseases, with work conducted within over 100 containment level 2 and 3 labs.To ensure that the divisions meet Health and Safety (H&S) legislation, a Safety Coordinator is required to join the existing team of two coordinatorsMain duties of the job
  • Oversight and support of H&S across the two divisions supporting laboratory staff in effective implementation of standards and procedures
  • Support the divisions in progression of H&S actions arising from incidents, inspections, and audits
  • Support the divisions in proactive and reactive monitoring to measure H&S compliance and inform areas for improvement
  • Provide laboratory H&S representation at site meetings
  • Contribute to the improvement and development of H&S standards and systems applied to the divisions
  • Participate and lead in emergency and unplanned events, including investigations of accidents and incidents
  • Support identification, development, coordination and delivery of H&S training requirements
  • Provide laboratory H&S representation working with Engineering, Estates and Facilities division, to ensure laboratories are maintained to the required standard
  • Oversight and review of risk assessments, procedures and other laboratory documents across the divisions
About usWe 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.Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careersDetailsDate posted04 September 2025Pay schemeOtherSalary£40,661 to £46,613 a year per annum, pro rataContractPermanentWorking patternFull-time, Part-time, Job share, Flexible workingReference number919-JP-302065-EXTJob locationsUKHSA Porton DownPorton Down, SalisburySP4 0JGJob descriptionJob responsibilitiesEssential Criteria
  • BSc in biological science; OR relevant experience in a Health & Safety role within a laboratory setting
  • Experience of laboratory safety or experience of containment microbiology and working with pathogens
  • Independent working/thinking - demonstrate the ability to work independently, problem solve, co-ordinate work and build networks
  • Communication be able to convey instructions, ideas, and opinions clearly and consistently, both orally and on writing and an aptitude for developing staff skills and capabilities
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft software packages
  • Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner
  • Proficient in analysing and presenting key information both orally and as part of reports
Selection ProcessThis vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and experience.Stage 1: Application & SiftYou will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
  • An application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • A 1000 word supporting statement.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria
Please note only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
  • Experience of laboratory safety or experience of containment microbiology and working with pathogens
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.Feedback will not be provided at this stage.Stage 2: Interview (Success Profiles)You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.LocationThis role is being offered as office based at our scientific campus in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).Security Clearance LevelRequirementSuccessful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice. Job descriptionJob responsibilitiesEssential Criteria
  • BSc in biological science; OR relevant experience in a Health & Safety role within a laboratory setting
  • Experience of laboratory safety or experience of containment microbiology and working with pathogens
  • Independent working/thinking - demonstrate the ability to work independently, problem solve, co-ordinate work and build networks
  • Communication be able to convey instructions, ideas, and opinions clearly and consistently, both orally and on writing and an aptitude for developing staff skills and capabilities
  • Proficient in the use of Microsoft software packages
  • Able to deal with problems in a calm and efficient manner
  • Proficient in analysing and presenting key information both orally and as part of reports
Selection ProcessThis vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and experience.Stage 1: Application & SiftYou will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of:
  • An application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • A 1000 word supporting statement.
This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets some essential criteria
  • Meets no essential criteria
Please note only those meeting all essential criteria will be taken through to shortlisting.Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
  • Experience of laboratory safety or experience of containment microbiology and working with pathogens
If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment.Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.Feedback will not be provided at this stage.Stage 2: Interview (Success Profiles)You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.Behaviours and experience will be tested at interview.The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be:
  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.LocationThis role is being offered as office based at our scientific campus in Porton Down. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this role.Eligibility CriteriaOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).Security Clearance LevelRequirementSuccessful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance.For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder / Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.Person SpecificationApplication Form and suitability statementEssential
  • Application Form and suitability statement
BehavioursEssential
  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together
Person SpecificationApplication Form and suitability statementEssential
  • Application Form and suitability statement
BehavioursEssential
  • Changing and Improving
  • Making Effective Decisions
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Working Together

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