Aquarium Services Systems Technician

To support the operation of the Cefas Weymouth Aquarium Facility under the leadership of the Aquarium Facility’s Systems manager. To support the work of the Aquarium Services team by maintaining high biosecurity standards across all Aquarium Services areas through effective housekeeping.

Further systems support would include tasks such as equipment calibration, equipment storage, systems maintenance duties, tank and general cleaning/sterilisation, wet-work study set-ups and decommissioning.

To ensure that work aligns with Home Office, Biosecurity, and Health and safety requirements.

To develop and apply skills on aquaculture biosecurity practices and aquaculture operations and aquarium relevant life support systems (flow through and recirculating systems, water, heating, aeration, lighting).

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.

Welcome to Cefas (youtube.com)

Your main duties and responsibilities will include, but are not limited to

Undertake the day-to-day ‘housekeeping’ duties within the bio secure Cefas Weymouth aquarium facilities (e.g. footwells, clinical waste disposal, replenishing sundry stocks), floor cleans and provide a clean, safe and functional work area.

• Support the Aquarium Services Systems Manager in setting up and maintaining aquarium facility systems.
• Assist in setting up and calibrating aquaculture tanks/equipment and decommissioning set ups to ensure successful delivery.
• Assist the Aquarium Services Systems Manager in any maintenance, equipment servicing or storage activities.
• Maintain an equipment inventory and organise safe and bio-secure storage and retrieval of key general tank and study specific equipment.
• Undertake and assist in the development of biosecurity processes including routine tank room, tank and associated equipment cleaning and sterilisation.
• Work in line with the relevant Risk Assessments, COSHH and Standard Operating Procedures.
• Maintain the workshop ensuring a tidy workspace, availability of tools and stock keeping/management across all Aquarium Services areas.
• Assisting with other generic aquarium services work where required.
• Maintain biosecurity in all areas of the Weymouth aquarium facilities.
• Lead the day-to-day ‘housekeeping’ duties within the Weymouth aquarium facilities (e.g. footwells, clinical waste disposal, replenishing sundry stocks).
• Work in line with the relevant Risk Assessments, COSHH and SOP documents relating to the role and the Aquarium Services Areas and assist the Aquarium Services Systems Manager in the production of system/maintenance related risk and COSHH assessments and Standard Operating Procedures.
• You will work closely with the Aquarium Services Systems Manager to allow the operation of high-quality scientific research supporting the UK’s capability and capacity to protect wild and farmed aquatic animals from disease, anthropogenic chemicals and climate change.
• Further to the baseline housekeeping responsibilities, the working environment and specific daily requirements will vary depending on the species kept at the facility and the research programmes being undertaken. Work will involve the operation of water, heating, lighting, aeration and effluent treatment systems, with both computer based and manual operations.
• You will be a system technician in an aquarium facility that maintains animals covered by a 24/7 service. You will be trained and will contribute to an on-call rota service for emergency callouts, and you are required to reach the aquarium facility within 45 minutes. Overtime payments will be available for emergency callouts.

In addition, Cefas reserves the right to ask staff to take on additional duties and responsibilities which are commensurate with their grade. Team Leaders and management will have a discussion with staff to explain the changes that are to be made. A new job description will be issued if required.

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