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- Tasks: Ensure food safety and public health at the Port of Southampton.
- Company: Join a vibrant team at one of the UK's busiest ports.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, generous holidays, flexible working, and excellent pension.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on public health while enjoying diverse experiences.
- Qualifications: EHORB certification and knowledge of Environmental Health legislation.
- Other info: Opportunities for training, development, and community volunteering.
The predicted salary is between 41771 - 43141 £ per year.
The Port Health team provide a vital role in safeguarding public and animal health in the Port of Southampton and the UK. As one of the UK’s busiest container ports and home to the largest cruise ship operators, this is an exciting place to work. The team pride themselves in offering a high level of service to our customers and following post-Brexit changes to Official Regulations, we are investing in a larger team.
About the role
This is an exciting opportunity to join a busy vibrant team and provide vital support to the Port Health Service and its statutory functions. This role includes working a late shift every 5 weeks that includes working a 1-9pm shift (Monday - Friday) and Saturday 8-4pm. This attracts a 10% shift pay and time off in lieu for weekend working.
You will be responsible for ensuring food consignments from around the world are safe to enter the UK and that all vessels entering the port of Southampton do not pose a public health risk. This will include:
- Applying Port Health controls on imported food and feed
- Preparing reports, collecting evidence and compiling legal notices
- Undertaking surveys and inspections of vessels e.g. cruise ships, oil tankers, container ships etc.
- Identification and sampling of foodstuffs
- Provide advice and guidance to agents and importers on imported food controls
- Updating and utilising database and information management systems
About you
We are looking for a motivated, hardworking Environmental/Port Health Officer to join our growing team. Whilst we welcome applications from experienced & newly qualified officers, experience of Port Health services, procedures and food control work would be advantageous. You will need to have:
- Environmental Health Officer Registration Board (EHORB) certification
- Good working knowledge of Environmental Health and Port Health legislation including experience of formal enforcement action
- Developed communication skills and a high level of customer care
- The ability to work both within a team and independently and to organise and prioritise workloads
What we can offer you:
Salary: The salary band for this role is £41,771 - £43,141. The starting salary is £41,771 with annual progression through the salary bands.
Here at SCC we have a range of different benefits, a few examples can be found below.
- Excellent local government pension with 16.8% employer contribution
- Death in service benefit of x3 salary, and optional salary sacrifice shared cost AVC (additional voluntary contribution)
- Generous holiday 25–31 days, based on role and service
- Flexible working options (role-dependent)
- Family-friendly policies - Maternity, Paternity, Adoption, Shared/Unpaid Parental Leave, Time off for Dependents
- Training and development, including coaching and mentoring
- Health and wellbeing support - Employee Assistance Programme, Menopause Pledge, Mental Health First Aiders and access to a variety of staff networks
- Veteran-friendly employer with the Armed Forces Covenant
- Retail discounts and savings through the Southampton City Council benefits platform
- Discounted memberships at local sports and fitness centres
- Sustainable travel benefits - low emission car scheme, cycle to work, season ticket loans
- Employee volunteering scheme with 2 paid days leave to volunteer
If you feel you have the necessary background, experience, and skills to undertake this role we would like to hear from you.
Contact details for informal discussion:
For further information and details regarding the post please contact Jo Hackwood, Port Health Manager.
Interview Information:
Please note that interviews are scheduled for early April.
Port Health Officer in London employer: Southampton City Council
Contact Detail:
Southampton City Council Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Port Health Officer in London
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to folks in the Port Health sector on LinkedIn or at local events. A friendly chat can open doors that applications alone can't.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by brushing up on your knowledge of Port Health regulations and procedures. Show us you’re not just a candidate, but someone who’s genuinely passionate about public health!
✨Tip Number 3
Don’t underestimate the power of follow-ups! After an interview, drop a quick thank-you email to express your appreciation and reiterate your interest in the role. It keeps you fresh in their minds.
✨Tip Number 4
Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re keen on joining our team at Southampton City Council.
We think you need these skills to ace Port Health Officer in London
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your application to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the Port Health Officer role. We want to see how you can contribute to our team, so don’t hold back on showcasing your relevant background!
Show Off Your Communication Skills: Since this role involves advising agents and importers, it’s crucial to demonstrate your developed communication skills in your application. Use clear and concise language to show us you can convey important information effectively.
Highlight Relevant Experience: If you have experience in Port Health services or food control work, make sure to emphasise that in your application. We’re looking for candidates who understand the ins and outs of the job, so share any relevant examples!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for a smoother process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets into the right hands and shows us you’re serious about joining our vibrant team!
How to prepare for a job interview at Southampton City Council
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of Port Health legislation and procedures. Familiarise yourself with the specific regulations that apply to food safety and public health at ports, especially post-Brexit changes. This will show that you're not just interested in the role but also well-prepared for it.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
As a Port Health Officer, you'll need to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. Prepare examples of how you've successfully communicated complex information in the past, whether it's to colleagues, agents, or importers. This will highlight your developed communication skills and customer care.
✨Demonstrate Teamwork and Independence
Be ready to discuss situations where you've worked both as part of a team and independently. Think of specific examples that showcase your ability to organise and prioritise workloads, as this is crucial for the role. Employers love candidates who can adapt to different working styles.
✨Ask Insightful Questions
Prepare some thoughtful questions about the Port Health team's operations and future plans. This shows your genuine interest in the role and helps you understand if it's the right fit for you. Plus, it gives you a chance to engage with the interviewers and make a lasting impression.