Decontamination Engineering Manager

Job summary

This Decontamination Engineering Manager (DEM) post offers a rare opportunity to be part of the exciting changes within Defra Group Property’s (DgP) Science estate.

DgP manage the provision of facilities management services to Defra’s executive agency; the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA). APHA use a wide range of specialist facilities as part of its aims to safeguard animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy. These specialist facilities include biocontainment laboratories across the UK with the main laboratory campus being located at Weybridge. The Defra Weybridge site is the largest facility in terms of size and complexity across the Defra network and is currently going through a process of major investment (over £1b) and redevelopment in order to enhance its scientific capability. The site is at the forefront of research and diagnostic testing for animal and zoonotic diseases and leads on disease outbreak response for Defra.

The DgP Technical Services team at Weybridge fulfil the role of Intelligent Client Function (ICF) for FM services across DgP’s Science Estate. The DEM reports to the Head of Biocontainment and Process Safety Engineering as part of the Engineering function within the DgP Technical Services team.

The role is based at the Defra Weybridge laboratory site and will require some travel to the regional sites up to 5% of the time, including overnight travel.

Decontamination engineering systems include autoclaves and washer disinfectors, for example, which vary in design and function. In the DGP science estate, the autoclave cycles are predominantly used for the sterilisation of waste, which is then disposed of via the onsite incinerator. Other functions include the sterilisation of media, equipment and tools used in the scientific research and diagnostic procedures.

Leading on governance and assurance on decontamination engineering systems, the DESM works collaboratively with the contracted FM service provider, end users and wider stakeholders to ensure decontamination engineering system services are fit for purpose across the science estate.

Job description

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement policies, standards and procedures for decontamination engineering systems.
• Ensure decontamination engineering system risks are captured accurately in the risk register and that actions are tracked to completion in a timely manner.
• Undertake assurance activities including audits and inspections on decontamination engineering systems as part of DgP Technical Services engineering assurance strategy.
• Verify that maintenance and validation activities have been completed to appropriate standards and requirements for all decontamination engineering systems.
• Undertake incident investigations and produce technical investigation reports using well established engineering analysis and methods.
• Develop proposals for continuous improvement and present them to stakeholders for review.
• Ensure decontamination engineering systems are captured accurately in the asset register, including carrying out full equipment walk-downs and documentation management ensuring all technical drawings and O&Ms are updated, and that information is applicable and available to Defra, projects and FM provider.
• Maintain the repository of decontamination engineering systems design documentation, O&Ms and other technical information.
• Develop technical specifications for replacement of, and new decontamination engineering systems.
• Work collaboratively with project teams through all project stages, fulfilling the role of senior end user to ensure new decontamination engineering systems are fit for purpose and meet DgP and APHA requirements.
• Develop and deliver training for decontamination engineering system operatives, including engineers and end users.
• Review and authorise requests for change to equipment made by end users and FM service provider.
• Assist with the appropriate identification, procurement, registration and storage of critical spares as needed.
• Data capture and trend analysis for deviations and potential improvements including the collation of Safety Performance indicators, MTBF etc.
• Author technical reports and status of equipment performance for review by the Head of Biocontainment and Process Safety Engineering.
• Author all necessary business cases to support the appropriate investments required for equipment to perform at its optimum.
• Identify necessary training to become proficient in the role.
• Engage with third-party stakeholders, including regulators, as required.
• Lead for governance and assurance of decontamination engineering systems at Weybridge and the regional laboratories ensuring that:
  • • people engaging with decontamination engineering systems are suitably competent.
    • equipment is statutory compliant, appropriately maintained and fit for purpose.
    • Processes for the use, management, maintenance and validation of equipment are robust and effective.
    • Asset information is accurate, maintained and available.
• Technical subject matter expert for decontamination engineering systems as part of DGP Technical Services, including autoclaves and washer disinfectors in animal disease research and diagnostic laboratories.
• Responsible for all decontamination engineering systems equipment’s full life cycle management.
• Maintaining ones’ own professional development.

Person specification

Essential Skills and Experience:

Significant operational or maintenance management experience in the decontamination / steriliser industry preferred.

Significant experience of working in the high containment industry or similar environment

The candidate should have experience of being an Authorised Person for Decontamination (APD) or Authorising Engineer for Decontamination (AED) in a similar context.

Experience working with safe systems of work and developing and reviewing risk assessments and method statements for work with decontamination (engineering) systems.

Experience in using CAFM systems.

Experience in influencing and building strong partnerships with customers to maintain a positive reputation

Thorough understanding of decontamination principles and systems including autoclaves, washer disinfectors and associated technical standards (e.g. HTMs, British Standards, etc.).

Must have sound working knowledge of various autoclave and washer disinfector manufacturers, appropriate selection, design, build, commissioning and validation processes.

An ability to communicate with people at all levels.

The ability to build good relationships with our key customers providing excellent customer service skills.

Ability to work with little or no supervision, demonstrating ability to prioritise conflicting demands and pressures.

The ability to make decisions and problem solve to a point when escalation to senior leadership is required.

Qualifications

Engineering Diploma

Memberships

Member of an appropriate professional engineering institute, such as IHEEM, IMECHE or IET

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Technical knowledge on decontamination engineering systems

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £64,015, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs contributes £18,545 towards you being a member of th