Plant Health & Seed Inspector
Hybrid working- Milton Keynes
Contract: Until December 2025 initially- likely extension
Pay rate: up to £14.50 per hour PAYE
Reporting to a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) plan and undertake a programme of tasks, working independently and/or as part of a team for a Government Agency.
The range of duties may include:
*Certify for export produce, plants, machinery and ware potatoes after examination in accordance with the importing country’s requirements, including issue of phytosanitary certificates and advice to exporters on the requirements.
*Undertake General Quarantine Surveillance and Specific Annual and Multi-Annual Surveys to monitor for quarantine and non- indigenous pests and diseases.
*Statutory inspection of imported plants, planting material and plant produce to ensure compliance with import regulations including physical inspection and/or documentary checks.
*Soil sampling in connection with regulations made to prevent the spread of dangerous plant pests and diseases.
*Planning and scheduling of visits, physical inspections, collection and submission of samples, inputting of results and writing and issuing relevant legal notices using a range of IT including Microsoft programmes and in house systems.
*Be available for and involved in emergency measures to control outbreaks of specified quarantine and non- indigenous pests and diseases.
*Complete administrative duties as required in accordance with standard operating procedures and agency guidelines and time frames.
*To assist in any other tasks or duties relating to plant health they have experience in or have been trained on as required.
Other information:
Depending on location, you may be required to work in a shift pattern (between 7am and 7pm). Standard hours of work will be 37 hours per week.
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.
Successful candidates will need to do a DBS, and 3 years reference/background check.
Background in Science, horticulture, agriculture, or anything plant biology related will be considered.