Plant Health and Seeds Inspector – Northern and Midlands Apprenticeship
| Posting date: | 01 May 2024 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £24,723 per year |
| Additional salary information: | National - £24,723 which is 90%. On successful completion of the apprenticeship salaries will increase to National £27,470 which is 100% . |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 20 May 2024 |
| Location: | Leeds |
| Company: | Government Recruitment Service |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | 351600/2 |
Summary
You might not be familiar with the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA), but you probably know about Defra – the Department for Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs. APHA is part of the Defra Group, and our role is to uphold and enhance high standards of animal and plant health in England and Wales.
Our primary focus is on managing 'pests and diseases' affecting animals and plants, with a specific emphasis on biosecurity. We are dedicated to ensuring the safety of the UK in terms of animal health and welfare, as well as plant and seed health. This involves activities such as excluding, containing, or eradicating plant pests, regulating other plant pests to guarantee high-quality planting material, and supporting the horticultural industry by overseeing and certifying the trade in plants and seeds.
As a Plant Health Seed Inspector, your role is crucial in this effort. You will play a vital part in our operations within the horticultural and rural community.
You'll be on the front line, actively safeguarding the health and quality of our natural environment.
We have exciting opportunities to join our Plant Health Inspection Teams as an apprentice, where we'll support you into becoming an infield P&BH professional.
The successful completion of the apprenticeship will result in a full time, permanent Executive Officer post.
Apprenticeship
The Plant and Bee Health Apprenticeship programme offers an opportunity for you to gain practical experience in Plant Biosecurity Regulation on behalf of the UK government.
It will be delivered by an external Training Provider through virtual tuition and e-learning.
Throughout the programme you will receive 6 hours weekly of your contracted hours to focus on your apprenticeship training.
The apprenticeship is paid for by APHA and you will continue to be paid the salary advertised. On successful completion of the apprenticeship, you'll automatically progress into a permanent Executive Officer post on full pay.
During your apprenticeship, you'll gain knowledge and skills through formal training and our in-house technical sessions, including:
- Physical inspection of plants, seeds, planting material and produce, agricultural crops and machinery, looking for quarantine plant pests and diseases and collecting samples where appropriate. This may include taking action to control potential outbreaks
- Performing statutory duties, enforce marketing standards, ensure compliance with regulations
- Building client relationships and manage customer expectations, in line with policies, targets and legislation. Being prepared to undertake difficult conversations with customers, stakeholders and/or delivery partners
- Completing administrative duties accurately and in accordance with standard operating procedures, agency guidelines and within established timescales