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Salary
Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Type of role
Veterinary Services
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Contents
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About the job
Job summary
Are you considering a change in your veterinary career?
Are you looking for a career with variety and flexibility in the work you do?
Do you want a role safeguarding standards of animal health and welfare, protecting Great Britain from exotic notifiable diseases?
Many of the skills and competences already acquired in veterinary positions elsewhere will be applicable and valued in veterinary roles within APHA. Why not explore a change, a new veterinary path, one that can have far reaching impacts?
Why not join us and make a difference?
Job description
This Vet role involves a wide range of work including, but not limited to, the following:
Conduct disease investigations in farm animals and wildlife by conducting post-mortems and diagnostic sampling.
- Obtaining relevant history from vets and farmers for investigating disease and to provide data for disease surveillance
- Using laboratory testing for diagnosis or to rule out diseases
- Collating, reporting and discussing findings with veterinary clients, farmers and APHA colleagues
- Providing advice on diseases and making recommendations on disease control and prevention
- Conducting farm visits to investigate for possible new diseases, zoonoses or potential threats to the food chain
- Opportunity to work with other veterinary and industry stakeholders, participate in knowledge exchange and influence standards of animal health and welfare
- Conducting surveillance for notifiable disease, through sampling and gross diagnostic pathology
Note this post is currently only for a Fix Term Appointment (FTA) for 30 months and is expected to be reviewed by December 2026. This post may convert to a permanent post subject to funding.
Person specification
We are looking for candidates who:
- Are aware of the UK farming industry and diseases of farmed animals
- Have an interest or further experience in diagnostic pathology
- Can engage with customers and stakeholders confidentially and professionally
- Can produce reports to communicate veterinary knowledge
- Can demonstrate an ability to maintain and assure appropriate levels of quality assurance for scientific evidence and advice
- Are capable of strategic thinking, with diagnostic, analytical and creative problem-solving abilities
You can also visit APHA’s Veterinary Careers website for further information:
Home – Careers as an APHA Vet (aphavets.co.uk)
We are planning to run Drop-in sessions on Thursday 4th January at 7pm and Saturday 6th January at 10am via MS Teams. For further details please email steve.jacklin@apha.gov.uk
Due to the nature of this post, we will only be considering candidates seeking full time employment (37 hours). However, there are other VIO campaigns being advertised which will consider part time and job share applicants.
Licences
Qualifications
Languages:
Must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to enable effective communication about veterinary topics with customers and colleagues and meet one of the following:
have undertaken undergraduate veterinary training in English
or
having a sufficient command of spoken and written English to effectively perform the role being undertaken by a public sector worker in a customer-facing role
or
have achieved the following scores in the academic international English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.
Memberships
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Technical skills
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Applicable UK farm animal knowledge and farm animal veterinary experience
- Veterinary knowledge
- In-tray exercise
- Presentation demonstrating veterinary knowledge based on a given veterinary scenario.
We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:
- Applicable UK farm animal knowledge and farm animal veterinary experience
Benefits
£10,687 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
In return for your dedication, we will support your ongoing personal development through appropriate training. Inclusion, support and the development of our people matter to us. We aim to support the career and personal wellbeing of everyone in APHA. Our benefits include generous annual leave, flexible working a contributory pension, staff bonuses and recognition, salary sacrifice benefit options, and an employee discount scheme.
Office attendance
Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the office locations listed in this advert in order to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. Defras current policy is that no more than 40% of the working week should be spent at home, averaged over a month unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or the post-holder is a contractual home worker.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete a CV, a 750-word Personal Statement detailing your suitability as a Veterinary Investigation Officer and a Technical Skill Statement: Applicable UK Farm animal knowledge and farm animal veterinary experience (250 word max per statement).
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift
Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift date will be w/c 8th January 2024.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Experience, Technical criteria and Strengths.
We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Farm animal knowledge and farm animal veterinary experience
- In-tray exercise (prioritisation task)
- Short presentation on a given veterinary scenario
- Veterinary knowledge
A presentation and additional exercise will also be assessed.
Interviews will be held in person at APHA Thirsk w/c 29th January 2024
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Location
Due to the nature of the role, the successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties at APHA Thirsk.
Defras current policy is that no more than 40% of the working week should be spent at home, averaged over a month unless exceptional circumstances apply and/or the post-holder is a contractual home worker. Office attendance will enable candidates to connect with their colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs. Travel and subsistence will not be paid for travel to a base office location.
Salary
New entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
This post offers the successful candidate the opportunity to receive an additional pay supplement of £3,000 upon appointment. There is a further pay supplement up to £3,000 which may be offered based on candidates annual competency assessment. These allowances do not form part of the Terms of Employment.
Some of our locations may attract relocation support. This will be discussed at the time of offer.
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 defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 youre 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 may be 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 circumstances 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 Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk 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 applicants 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.
Full Time Only
This role is full time only. Applicants who wish to work an alternative pattern are welcome to apply however your preferred working pattern may not be available and you should discuss this with the vacancy holder before applying. The post is full-time, we may consider two part-time staff on a job-share basis if continuity can be arranged. Part-time hours will only be considered as part of a job share.
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 www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Medical
Nationality requirements
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
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Steve Jacklin
- Email : steve.jacklin@apha.gov.uk
- Telephone : 03000 600020
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
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
