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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Veterinary Services
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About the job
Job summary
Are you looking for a rewarding role that will have a real-life impact on everyone in the UK?
If so, these exciting opportunities to join the Food Standards Agency (FSA) as a Trainee Official Auxiliary (TOA) are for you and wed love to hear from you!!
The FSA is a non-ministerial department of over 1300 people, with a big vision to drive change in the food system so that it delivers food we can trust. As we have now exited the EU the FSA faces a significant period of change and activity
Job description
Click the video below to hear from Dineka, to hear what its like to be a Meat and Dairy Inspector:
The heart of the FSAs mission is to deliver food we can trust and having left the EU and spent a year facing up to the impact of Covid-19, it is more vital than ever that every precaution is taken to ensure the food on Britains plates is safe to eat, and exactly what it says it is.
Our meat production systems in abattoirs are one of the vital points of contact between the FSA and the food industry and represent an important on-the-ground part of our work. By ensuring high standards of animal welfare, quality control and workplace best practice are adhered to, we can make an active and ongoing difference in both the quality of the meat that reaches our plates but also the reputation that our nation and its food exports have on the global markets. The work the FSA does in abattoirs and food processing plants across the country each day has impact far beyond those factory walls.
Our Official Auxiliaries are vital parts of this process, delivering these standards through a number of means. These will include the performance of post-mortem inspections of animals, unannounced inspections on working practices across your dedicated site, the collecting and dispatching of samples for offsite analysis and communication with both FSA team members and onsite staff to create the safest and healthiest factory environment.
What qualification can you achieve?
This is a trainee position, and the roles on offer will allow you to train on the job to achieve both the RSPH Level 4 Diploma for Proficiency in Meat Inspection and subject to business needs the Level 2 Certificate for Proficiency in Poultry Meat Inspection.
If you would like to read more about these qualifications, please visit the RSPH website here.
Where will I be working?
Youll be working in abattoirs from one of the following areas within the North region of the UK:
N1, cluster 1 in the Carlisle area or N4, covering clusters 10 and 11, Staffordshire and Derbyshire areas
The regional map of the areas covered can be found in the attached candidate pack, please refer to this and include 1 or more cluster preference in your application. If youd like so speak to our Area Managers to find out more about the roles available, their contact details can be found at the bottom of the advert.
About you
We are looking for driven individuals who are able to maintain focus on repetitive tasks. You will be comfortable working in a busy factory environment with early start times, working a core 37 hrs each week with an option to be deployed on a 5, 4 or 3- day working pattern based on business demand and operational requirements of the base plant allocated (please note this working pattern will only apply once you have successfully completed the training). You will have strong communication skills that will allow you to talk with onsite staff across company hierarchies to influence and guide decision making as part of our FSA team. A sharp attention to detail is required for this role, and as such we can regrettably only consider those with normal colour vision (trichromacy) for this role.
With on-the-job training, and plenty of opportunities for progression in the FSA, the Trainee Official Auxiliary gives you a strong first step if youre seeking to build a career around keeping Britains food safe for all.
Person specification
Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details about the role, our organisation, who we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process.
We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.
Licences
Qualifications
By clicking “yes” to the eligibility question in your application form, you are confirming that you are not already either qualified, or part-qualified to carry our Official Auxiliary duties in any capacity.
Benefits
£6,106 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack. This will consist of an application shortlisting against the essential person specification criteria stated. When submitting your personal statement, you are encouraged to use the full 750 words available to the best of your ability, as this will help the panel to determine your suitability to be taken through for interview.
If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to a final interview in which we will assess you against the following experience requirements of the role.
Experience:
- Experience of working under pressure and remaining calm in stressful situations
- Self-motivated and able to work with minimum supervision as part of a team
- Experience of building effective working relationships with colleagues and stakeholders
- Experience of being thorough and paying attention to detail
- Experience of making effective decisions
Timeline
Advert closes: 26/11/23
Sift: Expected to take place week commencing 27/11/23
Final panel interview: Expected to take place week commencing 11/12/23
Interviews will be held remotely via MS Teams.
Successful candidates will have 3 weeks to complete the pre-employment checking process, between 18/12/23 and 05/01/24. It is the candidates responsibility to ensure that they are forthcoming in providing their right to work documentation and completing any pre-employment actions. In the event that the successful candidate(s) checks have not cleared by 05/01/24, those affected will be placed on the reserve list and will be considered for any future vacancies over the next 12 months.
The induction is scheduled to take place on 05/02/24. If the successful candidates are unable to commence their employment with the FSA on this date they will be placed on the reserve list and will be considered for any future vacancies over the next 12 months.
Please note that indicated dates may be subject to change.
The FSA is dedicated to a policy of equal opportunity for all.
Being truly reflective of our society and building a culture where everyone can perform at their best is critical to the work of the FSA. We are looking to recruit from the widest possible talent pool and encourage candidates to apply from a diverse range of backgrounds. We are proud to be an inclusive, equal opportunities employer and are committed to ensuring that all candidates are treated fairly throughout the recruitment and selection process and beyond. All appointments are made on merit.
Please be assured that diversity or socioeconomic information requested during the course of your application plays absolutely no part in our selection processes and is not seen by anyone assessing applications. Any information provided is anonymised and used for statistical purposes only.
We actively review the deployment of talent on a periodic basis in the interests of optimising personal development and the achievement of business plans.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to the Food Standards Agency from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare.
Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Reserve List
A reserve list will be held for a period of up to 12 months from which further appointment may be made.
Visa Sponsorship
Please note that the FSA does not hold a licence to sponsor any visa applications. When candidates are invited for interview, they will be asked to provide right to work documentation in advance before an offer of employment is made.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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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).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Gary Manifold
- Email : gary.manifold@food.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : hr.recruitment.campaigns@food.gov.uk
Further information
