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Seasonal Microbiologist x 2

Closing Date: 26 February 2023 | Salary: £28,403 - £32,088 (Grade 4) | Location: Swansea University

Contract Type: 6 months from a start date of 1 April 2023

Work Pattern: 30 hours. Once training is complete, the working pattern will usually be: 8:30am - 3:30pm Tuesday to Friday, and 8:30am - 12:30pm on Saturday.

Post Numbers: 202020, 202028

Job description

This role is an entry-level position within a busy, UKAS accredited environmental analysis lab. You will be working alongside 3 other Microbiologists in a small, fast paced team ensuring that approximately 2,000 Bathing Water samples are analysed and reported to European Bathing Water Directive standards.

Responsibilities

Your responsibilities include:

Working within the Microbiology Section as part of a team to ensure that all samples are analysed on time and to the prescribed standards.
Routine analysis of bathing beach water quality samples. This will involve various microbiological processes including preparation & quality control of media, filtration of samples, bacterial colony identification & reporting. Accurate management and upkeep of documentation is also critical to this role.
To be aware of the characteristics required to be part of a successful team in a high-pressure environment. These include self-motivation, discipline and a willingness to help your colleagues.
Having a thorough understanding the laboratory’s quality management system and how that affects every aspect of the analytical process.
Health & Safety of self and others. To be aware of the laboratory’s health and safety policies.
To participate in duty rotas and respond to call out to ensure the Laboratory’s pollution response service is maintained

Qualifications, experience and knowledge

Knowledge and experience of the following:

Previous experience in an ISO:17025 accredited analytical laboratory is desirable but not essential as full training will be given.
Experience and knowledge is more important than qualifications for this role, so entry level can be with science GCSEs although graduate entry is the norm
Customer focussed service. Good communication skills are essential when dealing with colleagues within the laboratory or external clients.
The ability to work as part of a team to tight deadlines ensuring all results are accurately and efficiently reported daily.

Welsh language requirements:

Essential Level 1 - able to pronounce Welsh and use basic phrases

Please note if you do not meet the level 1 requirement i.e., ability to understand basic phrases and ability to pronounce Welsh names correctly, then NRW offers a variety of learning options and staff support to help you meet these minimal requirements during the course of your employment with us.

Competencies

Please note - Applications to this role will be assessed based on the following competencies, both at shortlisting and interview. Please give examples of how you demonstrate these competencies when completing your application form.

Essential Knowledge and Skills	Demonstrable previous practical experience gained in a technical discipline or scientific environment, at a level that enables them to implement programmes of work of a modest size and complexity and provide guidance and supervision to others. Able to evidence subject matter expertise in a discrete area of their work. Ability to process and analyse routine information and produce accurate reports and information based on sound analytical processes. Has good literacy, numerical and communication skills together with IT and systems knowledge.
Evaluation of Information	Ability to understand and interpret procedure manuals, statutory codes and legislation used whilst carrying out the role. May lead and implement a programme of work requiring the gathering of data and information from different sources and systems, to produce standard documents. Able to undertake routine analysis of samples and simple data following formal procedures, resulting in the production of analytical reports and documentation that will be used by others.
Communication and Relationships with Others	The role will require a high degree of interaction with people with the ability to foster good working relationships, with internal and external contacts. Demonstrates good communication skills with the ability to adapt style and content depending on the person and nature of the relationship. Able to advise and brief others, requiring the ability to clearly explain and share information with a variety of people, adapting their style and approach as necessary. Communication includes dealing with difficult or challenging customers, often in sensitive or complex situations; requiring the need for tact, patience and the ability to remain calm.
Responsibility for Resources	Responsible for the safe and legal use and keeping of tools and equipment used to carry out their work, which could include vehicles or technical equipment.

Benefits of Working for us

This role will offer a range of benefits, including:

Agile and Flexible Working (role dependent)
Civil Service Pension Scheme offering employer contributions of 26.6% to 30.3%
28 days Annual Leave, rising to 33 days
Generous Leave Entitlements for all your life needs
Health and Wellbeing Benefits and Support
Weekly Well-being Hour to use at your choice

See full details for all the employee benefits you will receive.

How to Apply

Please send a completed Application form to Applications@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk using the post number as the email reference

Before completing your application, please read our Guidance on completing a job application form

Application closing date 26 February 2023

Interviews will take place through Microsoft Teams.

If you have any queries about the role, please contact Dai G Hughes at Dai.G.Hughes@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk or Neil Scott Neil.Scott@naturalresourceswales.gov.uk

Natural Resources Wales embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunity. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.

We welcome and encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented, including women, black and ethnic minority groups and people with a disability. We have a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

We put the principles of human rights, equality, fairness, dignity and respect at the heart of our values.

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