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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Apprenticeship
Loan
Secondment
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About the job
Job summary
You may never have heard of the Animal Plant Health Agency (APHA) but you may have heard of Defra the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs. APHA is part of the Defra Group and our role is to maintain and promote high levels of animal and plant health in England and Wales.
Basically, we are all about controlling pests and diseases in animals and in plants. These roles focus specifically on biosecurity and we work to keep the UK safe in terms of animal health and welfare and plant and seed health.
This means excluding, containing or eradicating, quarantining plant pests; regulating other plant pests to secure high quality planting material, and supporting the horticultural industry by regulating and certifying the trade in plants and seed.
In your role as a Plant Health Seed Inspector you will be an integral part of this work, working at entry points into the UK (airports, sea ports etc.) and in the horticultural and rural community. Youll literally be at the front line, protecting the health and quality of our natural environment.
So can you help us protect the biosecurity of the UK, safeguarding plant health for the benefit of people, the environment, and the economy?
We have exciting opportunities to join our Plant Health Inspection Teams as an apprentice, where we will support you into becoming an infield P&BH professional. The successful completion of the apprenticeship will result in a full time, permanent EO post.
Working as a team via shift patterns, our inspection teams deliver physical inspections of plants, plant products and produce at Border Points of Entry including Border Control Posts (BCPs), Control Points (CPs) and Inspections Centres (ICs). They perform documentary and identity checks of the goods and take the required action where non-compliances are found.
If you have a passion for plants, the environment, and an eye for detail, with good communication and organisational skills, we want to hear from you.
To find out more about a day in the life of an inspector, please watch this video. A day in the life of a Plant Inspector
Apprenticeship
The Plant and Bee Health Apprenticeship programme offers an opportunity for you to gain practical experience in Import Plant Biosecurity Regulation on behalf of the UK government.
It will be delivered by an external Training Provider through a combination of remote or face-to-face workshops, virtual tuition and e-learning and throughout the programme you will receive 6 hours weekly of your contracted hours to focus on your apprenticeship training.
This is a really exciting opportunity to earn as you learn and get hands on practice while you study towards a qualification with the chance to subsequently progress within the business. You will receive formal learning to develop crucial skills, knowledge and behaviours for your career and will also be a key member of a great team.
Youll be part of a larger apprentice community within the Defra Group and will be supported by the Training Provider, your line manager, and colleagues throughout the apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship comprises of on-the job training and specialist training courses delivered through a mix of online and face-to-face sessions. Your line manager will ensure you have support and dedicated worktime to undertake your studies towards the apprenticeship qualification. This includes an average of a minimum of 6 paid working hours per week to dedicate to your apprenticeship.
The apprenticeship is paid for by APHA and you will continue to be paid the salary advertised. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you will automatically progress into a permanent EO post on full pay.
Job description
Supported by your line manager / shift leader, your main duties will include, but are not limited to:
- Physical inspection of plants, planting material and produce, looking for quarantine plant pests and diseases
- Complete administrative duties accurately and in accordance with standard operating procedures, agency guidelines and within established timescales
- During outbreaks of notifiable disease, participate as directed to contribute to the control and the eradication of the disease including taking part in rosters for detached duty to other parts of the country
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 across the country.
For a more detailed description of the role and responsibilities, please see the attached Candidate Pack for further information.
Person specification
You will have these essential criteria:
- Strong organisational skills and excellent attention to detail
- Good IT skills including experience of using MS Word, Outlook, Teams and Excel and willingness to learn new systems
- Good written and verbal communication, with the ability to communicate concisely and coherently to a variety of audiences
- Ability to respond positively and willingness to adapt to change
Successful candidates will be required to:
- Work collaboratively in a high-pressure, time sensitive environment with delivery partners
- Work safely by adhering to all APHA and BCP health and safety policies
- Receive training to enable you to take action on areas of non compliance and enforcement
- Work independently and manage a busy workload to deliver deadlines and priorities
We will offer you:
- Full training and support to become an inspector and perform your duties to develop your skills and knowledge further, gaining support in your development from your wider regional team and national experts
- Ongoing career development, which may include insight, technical and professional development. This may be at diagnostic laboratories, other ports or agencies, as well as in-house and with access to Civil Service wide learning and development opportunities
- Opportunities to be involved in wider projects, contributing to our culture of continuous improvement
Licences
If you do not possess a full licence at the time of your application, any offer of employment will be conditional upon you obtaining this no later than 3 months after initial start date).
Qualifications
If you hold a higher level qualification (e.g. degree) you will be eligible for this apprenticeship as long as this qualification is not in regulation or compliance.
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£6,675 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Pension and Financial Benefits
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package and there are various options including Alpha and Partnership pension schemes in which Defra can invest in providing a contribution to the cost of your pension.
Life Assurance: if you become too ill or die before retirement valuable benefits will be provided to you and your family.
Time off
25 days annual leave (rising up to 30 days over 5 years) for new entrants to the Civil Service and retaining existing arrangements for current Civil Servants.
Special Leave
Additional paid leave for other situations including family-related leave is available for employees volunteering and taking part in public duties, trade union activities, special/trained forces and for health & safety representatives.
Rewards
We have a Staff Recognition Scheme with our in-year awards rewarding exemplary work.
Learning and Development
Access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development through Civil Service Learning. Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering.
Performance Management
Individual performance plans, learning and development matched to your agreed career objectives and progression plans.
Examination Leave
Paid leave for exams and revision for approved studies.
Staff Wellbeing
Access to Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7, providing advice and guidance on both personal and employment issues such as personal wellbeing, career development, legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes. Access to the Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Sports Council.
Headspace
Free access to Headspace which is a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
Work/ Life Balance:
Travel & Transport Benefits
A range of travel and transport benefits. Access to the cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme that enables you to buy a bike up to the value of £6k.
Shopping and Leisure Benefits
A variety of discounts at online stores and leisure experiences available via Mylifestyle.
Interest Free Loans
For season tickets and/or bicycles and safety equipment as well as tenancy deposit scheme.
Other Benefits:
Sick Pay
We have various measures in place to assist with your physical and emotional health. Our focus is on early intervention and proactivity in addressing health issues. However, should you not be well enough to attend work, occupational sick pay, increasing by length of service, is available.
Enhanced Parental Leave
We offer generous maternity leave, paternity leave and shared parental leave.
Making it work for you
You will be part of a wider Plant & Bee Health team of over 600 Inspectors across the country, which will provide you with support and the opportunity to develop through out your Civil Service Career.
Office attendance
Successful candidates are expected to work from one of the office locations listed in this advert. Our current office attendance approach requires 60% attendance in Defra group workplaces or off site meetings with partners and customers. This balance provides thriving workplaces to connect with colleagues, as required by their role and business team needs balanced with personal flexibility and choice.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
As part of the selection process you will be asked to provide: a CV detailing your relevant experience and qualifications and a 500 word Personal Statement showing how you meet the criteria as outlined in the Personal Specification and Essential Skills
Further details about what to include are stated on the application form.
Sift
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours and Strengths under the Success Profile Framework.
The behaviour Communicating and Influencing may be assessed through a presentation. Further details will be provided to candidates successful at sift.
When giving your Behaviour answers you should focus on very specific examples and frame your answer using the STAR method.
3 strengths questions will be tested at interview.
All interviews will be conducted virtually via MS Teams.
Location
Please be aware that these roles will be based in Killingholme, Felixstowe, Harwich, Sevington, Heathrow and Itchen Abbas (covering the South Coast including Portsmouth and Southampton)
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from one of the above locations and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Candidate Pack
Please see the candidate pack attached to this advert.
Salary
National – £24723 London – £27744.30 which is 90%. On successful completion of the apprenticeship salaries will increase to National £27,470 and London £30,827 which is 100% . Shift allowance is payable. The minimum shift allowance is 12.5% rising to 20% for night shifts.
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 maybe 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 circumstance 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-Employment.Checks@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.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointment
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
The post is time limited and is being advertised as an apprenticeship for the advertised period. The fixed term will end when the apprenticeship has completed and will convert to Permanent on successful completion of the Apprenticeship.
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.
Higher Security Clearance
Please be aware the levels of national security clearance are changing which may impact on the level needed for this role by the time of appointment. All efforts will be made to keep candidates informed of any changes and what that will mean in terms of vetting criteria. For more information please See our vetting charter.
Successful Candidates will need to pass a Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) for these roles, however we will offer you to start with us as soon as basic checks are complete whist CTC checks continue. To be able to pass CTC you will need to have been a UK resident for 3 years in the last 5 years. All candidates need to be able to meet this requirement.
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 https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Who can start an apprenticeship
To start an apprenticeship, youll need to be:
16 or over
living in England
not in full-time education
You can apply for an apprenticeship while youre still at school but youll need to be 16 or over by the end of the summer holidays to start the apprenticeship. Please note if successful you must be 16 or over to undergo the relevant security checks.
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 : HRResourcingSupport@defra.gov.uk
- Email : HRResourcingSupport@defra.gov.uk
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.
