Animal Health and Agriculture Officer

Job Description

| Salary £35,235 - £39,513 Per annum | Permanent, Full Time, 37 hours per week | Animal Health & Agriculture Team |

International Sponsorship - this role is not open to international sponsorship

This is an exciting opportunity for a highly experienced Trading Standards professional to join the team. Primarily based in the Animal Health & Agriculture Team, you will be able to maintain a complex and challenging caseload and work closely with other team members to collectively meet service objectives. The role is a more senior full time and permanent post.

The Trading Standards Service has a key role within public health by protecting the food chain and the enforcement of disease control measures. We do this by responding to complaints and requests for business advice, working closely with partner agencies, carrying out inspections and audits on farms, at livestock markets, abattoirs and feed businesses throughout Lancashire. We are a reactive service and deal with many challenging situations.

This is a varied and interesting role in a fast paced and ever changing environment. The ideal candidate will have knowledge and experience of the livestock and animal feed industries as well as enforcement or investigatory experience. Applicants must be qualified Trading Standards Professionals with foundation level and at least two modules. One of these must include Agriculture, with competency requirements met, as specified in the current Feed Law Practice Guidance England April 2018.pdf (food.gov.uk). Please do not apply unless you hold the necessary qualification.

Appropriate essential qualifications:

1. Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (DCATS);
2. Higher Diploma in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards (HDCATS);
3. Certificate of Competence as one module;
4. Core Skills in Consumer Affairs and Trading standards;
5. Module Certificate in Consumer Affairs and Trading Standards.

The following qualifications are also 'appropriate' qualifications:

1. Diploma in Trading Standards (DTS) or its antecedents;
2. Diploma in Consumer Affairs (DCA) which includes the Food and Agriculture Paper, or its antecedents;
3. Diploma in Consumer Affairs (DCA) Certificate of Competence in relation to Food and Agriculture issued by the CTSI, or its antecedents.

Our ideal candidate will have:

Investigation and Analytical skills: As a highly experienced Trading Standards professional you must have an expert knowledge and significant experience of applying the relevant legislation and current standards to Trading Standards activities. You must be able to work independently with relevant equipment, have the confidence to make difficult decisions and manage changing priorities whilst investigating complaints thoroughly. You will maintain accurate records and produce reports acceptable to service standards for use in criminal proceedings. You are a methodical and analytical thinker, you will record and analyse information, respect timescales and plan your investigation thoroughly - you'll understand the importance of accuracy, attention to detail and professional conduct.

Communication & Collaboration skills: As a confident professional, we'll need you to communicate to a wide range of stakeholders in a number of different ways, this could be: victims of crime; business owners; consumers; senior leaders; colleagues and other agencies - in this challenging role you may need to have difficult conversations, so how you approach each situation will be key - you'll also respect the needs of colleagues and understand the importance of listening, guiding and collaborating with others to achieve the best outcome for the service and our customers.

Advisory & Influencing skills: We are seeking an influential and experienced officer who can support junior colleagues. Additionally, using your technical expertise and interpersonal skills you will advise and influence colleagues and consumers and encourage businesses to meet their statutory obligations.

Join our team and we'll offer you excellent opportunities to do new things, a commitment to support you, and the potential to influence and improve the way we work.

The post you are applying for is covered by the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (as amended in 2013). If successful, you will be required to apply to the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) for a 'disclosure'. Further information can be found on the 'Our Recruitment Process' tab.

A full driving licence and access to your own vehicle is essential. With the relevant formal qualifications, you will be ready to take on a new challenge. You will be organised and have flexibility to work occasional unsocial hours. You will be able to deal sympathetically with members of the public, and businesses, while also being confident in your ability to handle difficult and challenging situations.

In return Lancashire County Council offers a range of benefits, which can be found on LCC Vacancies website.

For a confidential and informal discussion please contact Alison Moss on 01772 534324 alison.moss@lancashire.gov.uk or Stephen Green on 01772 533910 stephen.green@lancashire.gov.uk.

Please ensure you have uploaded and attached your supporting statement to evidence how you meet the criteria for the role. The panel will be unable to shortlist you for interview without this evidence.