Animal Health Officer Dover - Animal and Plant Health Agency

Animal and Plant Health Agency

Verified Company

Dover, United Kingdom

2 weeks ago

Posted by:

Tom O´Connor

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Description

Details:

Reference number:

Salary:

- £27,470 - £28, % Shift Disturbance Allowance

A Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Job grade:
Executive Officer
Contract type:
Fixed term
Loan
Secondment
Length of employment:
4x Fixed term appointment until 31/03/2025
Business area:

APHA

Operational Delivery
Type of role:
Business Management and Improvement
Operational Delivery
Working pattern:
Flexible working, Fulltime, Job share, Parttime
Number of jobs available:
4Contents

Location

About the job

Benefits:

Things you need to know

Location

Port of Dover, Building 006, Eastern Docks, Dover, Kent, CT16 1JAAbout the job

Job summary:

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves.

We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

Are you passionate about working with animals and care for their welfare?

Are you caring, conscientious and an excellent team worker?

Do you enjoy working outside?

If so, we would like to hear from you

Job description:

We're seeking four motivated Portal Officer Animal Health Officer (AHO) to join our technical delivery team.

In this role, you'll play a crucial part in safeguarding animal health and welfare during transport, ensuring public health, and facilitating compliant International Trade.

You'll be based primarily in the Ports of Dover and Coquelles (France), also undertaking activities in the Ports of Newhaven, Harwich, and Calais (France).

Our team is actively engaged in high-profile work, including tackling the illegal trade in pets, conducting inspections on commercial cat and dog imports under the Approved Importer Scheme.

As a Portal Animal Health Officer, your key responsibilities will include:

Conducting import controls on live animals as per UK legislation, including documentary, identity, and physical checks.
Inspecting animals, records, and vehicles for compliance and taking appropriate regulatory action when necessary.
Engaging with importers and transporters to facilitate import checks.
Managing followup actions when noncompliance is detected to ensure animal welfare and UK biosecurity, including supporting investigations of potential illegal activities.
Documenting the assessment, decision, and outcome of inspections in detailed reports.
Collaborating closely with commercial carriers and various regulatory bodies such as His Majesty's Revenue and Customs, UK Border Force, Port Health and Local Authorities
Assisting in the response to exotic notifiable disease outbreaks, such as Avian Influenza and Bluetongue, which may involve working at various locations and in various outbreak roles.

In this exciting role:

You'll operate in shifts, accommodating our core hours from 0830 to 2200 on weekdays. Operational needs and live animal import schedules necessitate a degree of flexibility.
Weekend duties are a regular part of the job, with activities planned and communicated in advance.
The position is largely outdoors, requiring you to spend extended periods at ports in all types of weather.
Regular travel to Coquelles, France for Eurotunnel border controls is integral to the role. Be prepared for occasional delays in return journeys due to cancellations.
The role demands onsite work; hybrid home working is not an option.
Occasionally, overnight stays may be required for meetings and training.

Person specification:

Experience working with a variety of animals, including horses, small animals (e.g., cats, dogs, fish, birds), and farmed animals (e.g., cattle, sheep, pigs, poultry). This experience could be gained through education, paid work, or voluntary work.
High standards of written and spoken English, with the ability to effectively communicate about animal health topics with a range of stakeholders, including customers, service users, and colleagues.
Knowledge of basic Health and Safety principles, and an understanding of safe practices when working with animals.
The ability to work independently or as part of a team, take responsibility, and maintain a positive and focused attitude in the face of challenges.
Experience working within an auditable system of procedures and processes, with a commitment to maintaining quality and excellent recordkeeping.
Flexibility in working hours, with the ability to start earlier or later than routine shift times to undertake targeted activities.
Knowledge of animal welfare and biosecurity principles.

Learning and Development
Everyone in APHA is supported to develop their skills and capabilities. When you join the Directorate, you will be welcomed into your new team through an induction programme that will provide you with helpful information on the civil servic