Plant & Seed Inspector - Border Control

Ashford, Kent

Contract length – Initially until 30th September 2027

Pay rate - £16.90 p/h

Shift Work - Earlies and Lates (no nights)

The shifts are on a 4 on 4 off pattern working 10h 32m (plus unpaid breaks) This averages at a 37 hour week over an 8 week period.

Earlies start at 6.30.a.m. and end 5.p.m.

Lates start at 1.pm and end at Midnight

Working as part of a shift pattern 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 HMRC, 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.
• Be fully IT literate to examine online applications, delivery plans and record findings via a paperless system.

Requirements:

• Have a full, valid UK driving licence with independent access to own transport.
• Have an interest/background in Horticulture, Agriculture or the environment.
• Hold GCSEs in English, Maths and a science.
• Experience using MS Word, Outlook, Teams and Excel
• Work collaboratively in a high-pressure, time sensitive environment with delivery partners.

Successful candidates will be required to do a DBS.