Agriculture Inspector - Newtownards

Salary: GBP 15.43 per hour

Duration: 6 months with possible extension

Location: Newtownards

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

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

• 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.

• Scrapie Monitored flocks annually to ensure compliance with the scheme rules regarding animal identification, record keeping and premises meeting the required standard.
• Ensuring they have the knowledge to assist in the event of an epizootic disease outbreak.

• Providing the initial response to on-farm welfare complaints as directed by line management and completing 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, confirming the identity of the applicants, checking boundary fences, housing, isolation facilities and testing facilities and reporting on their suitability.
• Inspecting the cleansing and disinfection of premises and equipment during disease outbreaks.
• Enforcing legislation relating to the welfare of animals during transport and issuing notices for any non-compliances found.
• Investigating reports of livestock carcasses dumped or not disposed of, issuing disposal notices and completing 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 that it is fit for purpose. The necessary PPE will be provided.

• 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.

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

• 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.

• 2 GCSEs / GCE O level at Grade C or above in Maths and English or equivalent.
• 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.
• At least 3 months’ relevant post qualification work experience gained within the last two years.
• Have a full valid driving licence allowing 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.

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. You will be required to provide documentary evidence of your qualifications.