Job Description

Purpose of the role:

This role is to provide diagnostic support to the plant health scientific disciplines (bacteriology, entomology, mycology & seed health, nematology, molecular biology and virology) by logging all diagnostic samples, reporting results, invoicing commercial work and dealing with customer enquiries. The role involves working within a laboratory environment.

Job title: Office Administrator

:

What you will be doing:

• In this role, you will be working within a small team that provides administrative support to the Plant Clinic department.
• Once fully trained you will join a rota with other team members taking on the different set of duties for a week at a time.

Booking in samples:

• Open parcels, assess the information provided and electronically book samples into our in-house systems and produce paperwork for these samples. Samples consist of plant material (plant, seeds, produce), invertebrate pests (contained), soil, plant product and food samples (potential allergens e.g., nuts and wheat flour etc).
• Liaise with customers to resolve any issues with booking in their samples e.g., missing information.
• Prepare invoices and accounts for commercial customers.

Office duties:

• Liaise with customers and other colleagues by email and telephone about sample details, results and other general enquires.
• Provide basic scientific advice on pest and disease testing services. No scientific background is necessary for this role, the team and diagnosticians will support you in answering enquiries.
• Ensure test results are entered onto the database within agreed time limits and provide reports to commercial customers as needed.
• Carry out general duties including photocopying, filing and data entry.

What we\'re looking for:

• Candidates should have 5 GCSEs at Grade C or above (including English and Maths or Science) or equivalent experience.
• The post holder will be able to demonstrate experience of working effectively with fluctuating workloads, showing the ability to meet deadlines, whilst continuing to meet a high standard of work. They will also be able to demonstrate good communication and customer service skills with the ability to deal with internal and external customers by telephone, email and occasionally face-to-face.
• They will also be expected to have practical experience of Microsoft software packages such as Word, Excel and Outlook.
• We are looking for someone with excellent team working skills in conjunction with the ability to work on their own initiative with minimum supervision.
• Our ideal candidate will have the ability to communicate effectively with people at all levels.
• Candidates should have a methodical approach to work and an eye for detail and accuracy.
• The post does not involve handling insects or spiders etc, but the post holder will need to feel comfortable being near them.
• The post holder will be expected to occasionally lift heavy packages (10kg).
• Although the post holder will have the benefit of flexible working hours there is a requirement for the team to cover office hours 9:00 - 17:00.

About Fera:

At Fera, we\xe2\x80\x99re making the world a better, healthier and safer place. We\xe2\x80\x99re a joint venture partnership between Capita and Defra and we\xe2\x80\x99re working proactively to protect the world we live in and the food we eat. Our teams are investigating plant and bee health, crop protection and sustainable agriculture. Join us and discover better as you deliver world-class science for the future.

Fera are part of Capita Plc, a leading UK provider of technology enabled business services. We\xe2\x80\x99re supporting and improving the lives of millions of people every day and we can only do this with the right people in place, working towards a shared goal. We encourage an open, honest working environment where everyone can be true to themselves and people are valued for their differences. We\xe2\x80\x99re always challenging each other to learn and improve, because we know when we work together, we can deliver better outcomes. We work across such a huge range of businesses and sectors, that you\xe2\x80\x99ll have the opportunity to grow and develop your career in any number of directions.

What\xe2\x80\x99s in it for you?

• A competitive salary of \xc2\xa323,000
• 23 days\xe2\x80\x99 holiday (rising to 27) with the opportunity to buy extra leave
• Company matched pension, life assurance, a cycle2work scheme, 15 weeks\xe2\x80\x99 fully paid maternity, adoption and shared parental leave, paternity pay of two weeks\xe2\x80\xa6and plenty more
• Voluntary benefits designed to suit your lifestyle \xe2\x80\x93 from discounts on retail and socialising, to health & wellbeing, travel and technology
• The opportunity to take a paid day out of the office, volunteering for our charity partners or a cause of your choice
• Access to our Employee Network Groups, which represent every strand of diversity and allow colleagues to connect and learn from each other on an open, inclusive platform
• The role is based at our world class site near York, UK with access to start-of the-art facilities, on site gym, free parking and discounted public transport
• You\xe2\x80\x99ll be required on site full time, 37.5 hours per week, Monday \xe2\x80\x93 Friday. We offer flexi time anytime between 7am and 7pm

What we hope you\xe2\x80\x99ll do next:

Choose \xe2\x80\x98Apply now\xe2\x80\x99 to fill out our short application, so that we can find out more about you.

We\xe2\x80\x99re an equal opportunity and Disability Confident employer, which means we recruit and develop people based on their merit and passion. We\xe2\x80\x99re committed to providing an inclusive, barrier-free recruitment process and working environment for everyone. If you need the job description or application form in an alternative format (such as large print or audio), or if you\xe2\x80\x99d like to discuss other changes or support you might need going forward, please email at reasonableadjustments@capita.com or call 07784 237318 and we\xe2\x80\x99ll get back to you. For more information about equal opportunities and process adjustments, please visit the Capita Careers website.

Location: York

, United Kingdom

Time Type: Full time

Contract Type: Permanent

Capita