Agriculture Inspector - Newtownards

Our client, A Large public sector organisation, are looking for Agriculture Inspectors throughout Northern Ireland to join their team.

Duration: 6 Months with possible extension

Rate of pay: £15.43

Location: Newtownards

Hours: The normal conditioned hours of workare 37 hours net per week, Monday-Friday. Some posts will also require early morning starts, for example, those working in FieldOperations in wildlife intervention duties In addition, staff may be required to participate in weeklyon-call rotas during weekdays, weekends, and evenings.

Main Duties:

**Please be advised the BCG vaccine/TB immunity is required for the role**

Epizootics/Trade
* Providing advice on and ensuring compliance with import and export regulations of livestock, and completing checks to detect and prevent illegal movements.
* Carrying out inspections and verification checks in support of certifying veterinarians to facilitate trade.
* Auditing Scrapie Monitored flocks annually. This is to ensure compliance
with the scheme rules regarding animal identification, record keeping and
that the premises meet the required standard. This enhances the
marketability of high genetic merit animals to other EU member states.
* Ensuring they have the knowledge to assist in the event of an Epizootic
disease outbreak. This could involve taking a lead role in the event of an
outbreak e.g. Site Operation Controller or Team Leader of one of the other
teams.

Inspections/Compliance
* Providing the initial response to on-farm welfare complaints as directed by their line management and complete the inspection report form. The Inspector Group 1 will request a veterinarian to attend the farm in any case
of unnecessary suffering.
* Inspecting applications for animal group numbers. They will confirm the identity of the applicants. They will check boundary fences, housing, isolation facilities and testing facilities and report on their suitability.
* Inspecting the cleansing and disinfection of premises and equipment during disease outbreaks.
* Responsibility for enforcing legislation relating to the welfare of animals during transport. They will issue notices for any non-compliances found.
* Investigating reports of livestock carcasses dumped or not disposed of. The post holder will issue disposal notices and complete a follow-up inspection to check for compliance.
* Completing Biosecurity Surveys, Dairy Herd Questionnaires and Medicine Record Inspections.
* Completing inspections at rendering plants.
* Ensuring that they have the equipment required for a task and ensure it is fit for purpose. The necessary PPE will be provided.

Public Health
* Collecting blood samples from all species of farmed animals for disease detection and survey work.
* Collecting samples for salmonella testing from different categories of poultry flocks. This work requires high biosecurity standards and communication and coordination with poultry processing representatives.

Enforcement
* When a prosecution case is being taken the Inspector Group 1 will, when required, provide a witness statement and attend court to present evidence.

Enzootics
* The Inspector Group 1 may be involved in badger sett surveying and any future wildlife intervention work in relation to the Bovine Tuberculosis (Tb) Eradication Transformation Programme.
* Gathering data by completing Tb Disease Investigation forms. This includes mapping farms and recommending to veterinary and group staff managers which neighbouring herds are at risk. The data gathered enables veterinary staff to make evidence-based decisions when managing a disease outbreak in a herd/region.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

1. 2 GCSEs / GCE O level at Grade c or above in Maths and English or equivalent*

plus

2. a Level 3 Diploma in Work-based Agriculture
OR a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture
OR a Level 3 Advanced Technical Extended Diploma in Agriculture
OR equivalent**

* Examples of equivalent qualifications to English and Mathematics GCSE/GCE are "O" levels at Grade C or above or Essential Skills Level 2.

** Examples of equivalent qualifications:
* A National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) at Level 3 in Livestock or Crop Production or Poultry
* A National Diploma in Agriculture
* A College Diploma in Agriculture
* Advanced Diploma in Agriculture
* A relevant Agricultural NVQ Level 3 qualification
3. At least 3 months' relevant post qualification work experience gained within the last two years.
4. Have a full valid driving licenceallowing the driving of manual vehicles in NI and access to a form of transport which will permit them to meet the requirements of the post in full.

You will be required to provide documentary evidence of your qualifications

- The successful candidates must also have access to a form of transport to enable them to fulfil the responsibilities of the post and be prepared to travel throughout Northern Ireland and elsewhere, as required. This may include overnight stays

RecCoBelfast