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Plant Health and Seeds Inspector (PHSI)

Employer
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Location
Nationwide
Salary
£24,429 - £26,452 (National) or £27,415 - £29,658 (London)
Closing date
28 Dec 2019

View more

Contract Type
Contract
Hours
Full Time
Function
Technical Jobs
Sector
Central Government

If there is one characteristic that marks us out at the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), it is pride. We are proud to use our professionalism and expertise to safeguard animal and plant health across the UK for the benefit of the environment, the economy and the millions of people who live here.

Join us and you will be part of a diverse team of over 2,000 skilled and committed professionals who share this inspiring goal. Together, we protect endangered wildlife, conduct research into bacterial, viral and parasitic diseases and vaccines, facilitate the international trade in animals, identify and control endemic and exotic diseases, and manage a programme of bee inspections, diagnostics, research and training and so much more.

As part of the Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate, you will be instrumental in our mission to prevent the introduction and spread of serious plant pests and diseases. You will:

  • Undertake a wide range of activities that will maintain and promote a high-quality plant health status in England and Wales. This will include challenges such as surveying agricultural and horticultural crops, soil sampling, and conducting inspections on seed firms and seed samplers to ensure they are complying with the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964.
  • Report to HEO-level colleagues, following instructions on implementing emergency measures to control quarantine and non-indigenous pest outbreaks. This may involve working out-of-hours and staying away from home in both the UK and overseas for short periods of time.
  • Take guidance from senior colleagues in order to certify plants and planting material for export.
  • Inspect imported plants, planting material and plant produce, checking that supporting documentation meets phytosanitary standards.
  • Undertake administrative duties to support your field work, juggling multiple challenges and meeting all deadlines.  
  • Obtain CTC/SC security clearance (if you are successful in your application).

This role offers the chance to learn on the job in a fast-paced and constantly changing environment. Your work will take you to various locations, so you will either need to have a driving license or be willing to work towards this. Comfortable working on your own initiative, you will be a flexible team-player with the capacity to work well with senior colleagues. With a good understanding of current agricultural or horticultural issues, you will either have a relevant qualification (such as an HND in Agriculture, Horticulture or Biological Science) or you will need relevant practical industry experience. Numerate and literate, you will have the confidence to make effective decisions and you will communicate with clarity when guiding plant and seed businesses on the import requirements of the countries they intend to send their products to. 

It’s our goal to support the personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working, annual leave, a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme. We also offer flexible working.

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