Port Health Officer

Dover, Kent
HR GO Recruitment – Dover
Come and join us in White Cliffs Country on the glorious Kent Coast.

This is your opportunity to work within a seaside location bursting with heritage, with several towns and villages within easy reach of the coast and excellent transportation links to London and across the continent via High-Speed trains or Cross Channel ferries. It’s an exciting time to be joining Dover District Council as we expand our Dover Port Health Authority (DPHA) service now the UK has left the European Union. The work of the DPHA is vital to the smooth running of the border at Dover, and to the protection of food safety and public and animal health in the UK. We ensure the smooth flow of safe food through Europe’s busiest ferry port – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – and onto the shelves of shops and supermarkets across the country. And you could play a key role in helping us to continue to shape this expanded operation!

Initially these roles will work 37 hours a week until the shift pattern and associated shift allowance commence prior to the BCP becoming operational, which is currently expected to be in July 2022. There is scope for part-time candidates to be considered.

We are looking for Official Fish Inspector Port Health Officers who will undertake a range of statutory duties alongside a veterinarian and Senior Port Health Officer to safeguard public health including carrying out checks on imports of products of animal origin and high risk food not of animal origin, in order to ensure that only products that are safe to eat enter the food chain. You may also be required to monitor health conditions on board vessels at Dover port, to prevent the spread of disease and issue statutory ship sanitation certificates under Public Ships Health Regulations. Using your previous experience from a similar environment you will be responsible for drafting and issuing enforcement notices, warning letters and gathering evidence for potential legal proceedings. You will have excellent communication skills and will work with several outside organisations to assist and advise authorities in surveillance and mandatory sampling initiatives of food. More locally you will instruct, oversee, train and monitor technical and support staff in the execution of all relevant Port Health duties, notably import controls including sampling to ensure that regulatory action is consistent and appropriate.

MSc, Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health and Certificate of Registration with Environmental Health is essential

Due to the nature of these roles an enhanced DBS check may be required.

We offer a great work-life balance shift pattern where you will be working 6 duties on (3 days and 3 nights) followed by 6 rest days on a rolling basis. In addition to a competitive base salary other benefits include:

– Shift allowance of up to 14% – Relocation assistance

– Private Healthcare and Employee Assistance Program,

– Opt-in Local government pension scheme with the opportunity for staff to make advanced, voluntary contributions (AVCs) to top up their pension.

– Generous annual leave provision

– Discounts including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre

– Discounts including reduced membership rates at the local leisure centre

– Cycle2Work scheme offering at least 32% off a brand-new bike and accessories.

£35,276 to £41,154 Per annum FTE

Up to 14% shift allowance

The earliest start date for this role is January 4th 2022, with staggered start dates expected for successful candidates up until April 2022. If you can start within this period (even if closer to April) please do apply, your application will be just as likely of success.