Plant Health & Seeds Inspector - Imports -East of England London, England
Job description
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Loan
Secondment
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Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
The work of the Plant Health and Seed Inspectorate (PHSI) within Defra’s Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) is to maintain and promote a high plant health status in England and Wales, thereby contributing to APHA’s overall strategy of safeguarding animal and plant health status in England and Wales. In doing so, contributing to APHA’s overall strategy of safeguarding animal and plant health for the benefit of people, the environment, and the economy.
The aims are achieved by excluding, containing, or eradicating quarantine plant pests, regulating other plant pests to secure high quality planting material, and facilitating trade through the provision of plant health certification services. PHSI works to Defra’s strategy to “provide a better place for living” through the exclusion, eradication and containment of quarantine pest and disease and informing / training the general public, stakeholders, government, and non- government bodies in plant biosecurity. Inspections on fresh produce in relation to marketing standards will also be conducted in addition to the Plant Health controls.
Please access the link to see a day in the life of an inspector BCP inspection 2 (1)
Job description
Reporting to a Higher Executive Officer (HEO), to plan and undertake a programme of tasks, working independently and/or as part of a team.
The range of duties will be dependent on the working region, training, competence and statutory requirements, but may include:
- Under HEO direction, organise emergency measures to control outbreaks of specified quarantine and non- indigenous pests and diseases in areas of proven competency
- Crop surveys and soil sampling in connection with regulations made to prevent the spread of dangerous plant pests and diseases
- Under HEO direction certify for export plants and planting material after examination in accordance with the importing country’s requirements, including advice to exporters on the requirements
- Inspection of certain agricultural and horticultural crops in connection with statutory and domestic plant health certification/classification schemes and marketing standard regulations
- Under HEO direction perform the statutory duties relating to regulations made under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964, including field inspections and enforcement checks on the activities of seed firms and seed samplers
- Undertake additional specialised duties including delivering work directly to and on behalf of Business Improvement Groups
- Complete administrative duties as required in accordance with standard operating procedures and agency guidelines and time frames
- Statutory inspection of fresh Horticultural produce, imported plants, planting material and plant produce to ensure compliance with import regulations
- Enforce the marketing standards and grading rules for fresh produce in England and Wales to ensure traders meet their statutory responsibilities
- Conduct inspections and support heightened enforcement action against non-compliant traders including the possible collection and collation of evidence required for any criminal investigations where necessary
- In addition to physical inspection procedures, ensure that documents accompanying imported material are satisfactory and in accord with phytosanitary measures and the standards required for the marketing of fresh horticultural produce
- Collect samples and enforce olive oil standards, collect official market data and seize samples for Government pesticide residue testing
- Certify for export produce, plants, seeds, grain, machinery and ware potatoes after examination in accordance with the importing country’s requirements, including issue of phytosanitary certificates and HMI produce conformity certificates for fresh Horticultural produce and advice to exporters on the requirements
- Perform the statutory duties relating to regulations made under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964 including the field inspection of certain crops and the sampling of certain classes of seed and enforcement checks on the activities of seed firms and seed samplers
- Liaise closely with various regulatory bodies such as Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, UK Border Agency, Port Health and Animal Health authorities
- To assist management in other tasks or duties they have experience in or have been trained on which when undertaken can further their personal development as per agreement in their Performance Management Review (PMR) with a time limit to enhance prospects of career progression
The PHSI offers a 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week level of service to the trade for import & export certification & biosecurity checks.
Depending on location you may be required to work in a shift pattern. This pattern can be early morning or a late evening shift and can span over weekends and public holidays.
We are looking to implement a 4 day on 4 day off shift pattern. The hours this will cover will vary by each BCP but can be up to 24 hour cover. The minimum shift allowance is 12.5% but when cover nights this can be as high as 20%.
Candidates should expect to work flexibly to meet the varied work patterns defined by business need. You may be required to work at other locations, so candidates must be prepared to occasionally work and stay away from home.
Candidates will need independent access to a car to visit clients / collect samples / carry equipment. Some client locations and working hours preclude the use of public transport.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Have a full driving license and independent access to their own transport
- Be committed to training and continued development in service delivery
- Be able to communicate clearly complex issues to customers both internally & externally
- Be able to work collaboratively in a high-pressure time sensitive environment with delivery partners
- Be fully IT literate to examine on line applications, delivery plans and record findings via a paperless system
- Have good planning and organisational skills
- Positively respond to change
- Ability to meet targets and re-prioritise work
- An understanding of the Horticultural Industry, Biosecurity, Pest & Diseases would be an advantage
Licences
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
Benefits
- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the selection process you will be asked to provide a CV detailing your horticultural background, qualifications and a 500 word personal statement showing how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the Person Specification.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Linked adverts
Please note this campaign is linked to adverts 289367, 289370, 289372. Candidates can apply for one or more vacancies but will only receive one sift and interview score for all applications.
Online Tests
After submission of the first stage of your application, you will be invited to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test. If you successfully pass the test, you will be invited to complete the final stage of the application.
Please complete the online tests as soon as possible (within 24-48 hours is recommended), the closing date for the tests and application is 23:55 on 19/06/2023. If you fail to complete the online test before the deadline your application will be withdrawn. Guidance for the test will be available when you are invited to take the test. The tests are administered online and accessed via the CS Jobs website.
Do not leave completing the tests until the last minute in case you experience any access or technical issues. There may not be technical support available after business hours and after 2pm on the closing date of 19/06/2023.
While the tests should work on most operating systems and modern browsers with a good internet connection, we cannot guarantee that every combination will work. At the beginning, the test will check which browser you are using, and alert you if it is likely to be incompatible.
It is highly recommended that you complete the online tests on a desktop computer, not a mobile phone or tablet.
Please note that online tests associated with this vacancy are not subject to time limits. Click https://www.gov.uk/guidance/reasonable-adjustments-for-online-tests-a-candidate-guide for test guidance
Sift
Your CV details will not be assessed during the process but will be used to support discussions at interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths.
All interviews will be conducted virtually via MS Teams.
Location
Please be aware that these roles will based in East of England, in Felixstowe, Harwich, Tilbury and London Gateway.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidate Pack
Please see the candidate pack attached to this advert.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. The internal roles rules apply to existing Civil Servants, i.e. level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via [email protected] as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing [email protected] stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This is a Fixed-term Appointment as a Plant Health & Seeds Inspector on the Plant and Bee Health Team
The post is not permanent. It is time limited due to a fixed funding period or as part of a specific project. The fixed term will end when the funding or the project expires.
This post will therefore begin from the candidate's start date and end after 12 months.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Medical
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: [email protected]
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
