Animal Health Practioner

Network Public Sector are seeking to recruit on an interin basis an **Animal Health Practioner** to work with our Public Sector client.

The post holder will be expected to carry out any of the following duties in the Animal Health team:

- Plan programmes of inspection and carry out inspections including high risk businesses/premises.
- Take informal / formal samples or conduct test purchases of goods / services as required.
- Deal with & investigate complex complaints / infringements under Animal Health legislation.
- Provide advice, information & assistance to businesses to enable them to comply with Animal Health legislation.
- To investigate and prepare reports on infringements and when necessary give evidence in Court.
- To assist and train less experienced officers in a range of duties.
- To devise, lead and report on complex project work & surveys as required.
- To participate in the training activities of the service this includes delivering presentations to business.
- To maintain, interrogate and analyse office records of contacts with businesses and consumers in manual & electronic databases.
- To participate in multi agency operations and regional focus groups where applicable.
- Provide basic and complex business advice to local businesses (including Primary Authority Advice)
- To maintain specialist CPPD competence in Animal Health law.
- To work flexibly under the client's flexible working scheme, and be willing to work on weekends, early mornings or late evenings.
- Be prepared to travel around the county visiting a variety of premises including outdoor markets, and further a field as necessary.
- Mobility Essential. Applicants must hold a valid driving licence or be able to travel effectively and efficiently by other means.
- Satisfactory completion of an enhanced check through the Criminal Records Bureau.

Essentials of any applicant
- Hold a TSI qualification in Animal Health or have equivalent knowledge/experience in Animal Health enforcement.
- Demonstrate post qualification experience across the range of duties expected of a specialist Animal Health Practitioner.
- Demonstrate a detailed & practical knowledge of livestock health & welfare issues.
- Demonstrate a detailed & practical knowledge of bio security and animal disease control measures.
- Ability to plan, lead and report on projects including managing the resources of staff, budget and equipment as required.
- Ability to mentor / coach less experienced professional officers training for career progression.
- Able to be self disciplined and prioritise/review your own workload to meet urgent deadlines/service standards.
- Possess advanced communication and negotiation skills sufficient to represent the service to a wide range of people. Including confrontational / emotionally demanding customers, large groups, regional / national focus groups.
- Demonstrate a commitment through work to excellent customer service for all internal and external customers.
- Experience of identifying, researching, solving and evaluating complex issues utilising innovative methods if necessary.
- Use initiative to make well informed decisions potentially with significant consequences, under pressure or under strict time constraints.