Environmental Plant and Seed Officer with Full Training

Plant & Seed Health Border Control Inspector Location: Felixstowe Pay rate - £16.90 per hour Temporary: 10 months (could be extended) Shifts: working 4 days on and 4 days off, 2 shift patterns: Earlies: 5am – 4pm; Lates: 3pm – 2.a.m. Must have a driving licence and access to a vehicle. Delivering physical inspections of plants, planting material & produce in the Border Control Points and inspection centres. Import controls exist to prevent harmful plant pests from entering GB from third countries. Duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Physical inspection of plants, planting material and produce, looking for quarantine plant pests and diseases. This work is performed at border control points (BCPs) (such as air and seaports) and will involve travel around and between sites, including supporting other regions. You will need your own transport for this.
• Complete administrative duties accurately and in accordance with standard operating procedures, agency guidelines and within established timescales.
• Manage customer expectations, in line with policies, targets and legislation. Be prepared to undertake difficult conversations with customers, stakeholders and/or delivery partners.
• Liaise closely with various regulatory bodies such as His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, UK Border Agency, Port Health, Animal Health authorities & Border Control Point operations management.
• During outbreaks of notifiable disease, participate as directed to contribute to the control and the eradication of disease including taking part in rosters for detached duty to other parts of Great Britain.
• You will be expected to occasionally stay away from home on overnight stays to attend meetings and training. There will be occasional travel to other APHA locations. Out of hours and detached duty work may be required in the event of an outbreak or incident.
• Work safely adhering to all APHA and BCP safety policies.

Requirements

• Be fully IT literate to examine online applications, delivery plans and record findings via a paperless system. You will be comfortable using MS Word, Outlook, Teams and Excel
• Have a full, valid UK driving licence (evidence to be provided) with independent access to own transport. Candidates will need to use their own vehicle to carry out their duties, for which business mileage will be reimbursed.
• Work collaboratively in a high-pressure, time sensitive environment with delivery partners.
• Have an interest/background in Horticulture, Agriculture or the environment.
• Good communication, planning and organisational skills.
• Ability to meet targets and re-prioritise work Successful candidates will be required to do a DBS