Summer Plant Health Inspector

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 339591**Salary**:

- £103- £103.84 per day**Job grade**:

- Administrative Officer- A4**Contract type**:

- Temporary**Length of employment**:

- 6 weeks**Type of role**:

- Operational Delivery**Working pattern**:

- Full-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 2Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- Galashiels, Scotland, TD1 3SGAbout the job

**Job summary**:
An opportunity has arisen within our Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) branch to fill a number of temporary inspector roles in the Borders area for a period of approximately 4 weeks during July 2024 and also in subsequent years (6 weeks total including training).

A Division of the Scottish Governments Directorate for Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE), SASA provides advice and scientific services to ARE and the rest of the Scottish Government in relation to crops and the environment.

Working as a member of a team of inspectors, you will be involved in the inspection of field crops of seed potatoes entered into the Scottish Seed Potato Classification Scheme. The work will involve visiting farms and assisting in the inspection of these crops. In carrying out inspections you must be proficient in the identification of potato varieties, rogues, pests and diseases and be familiar with the inspection tolerances for each classification grade. No previous experience is necessary as you will receive full training as outlined above. Findings must be recorded accurately and inspection reports completed in a neat and legible fashion.

No formal qualifications are required for the role and full, comprehensive training will be provided. However, an agricultural or biological science background would be advantageous. Applicants should also be aware that the post involves working outside in all but the most severe weather conditions and as travel is involved access to transport would be an advantage.

If successful, you will be required to attend, and pass, a practical two week training course near Gogarbank, Edinburgh which you will be paid for. The course will start on 17 June 2024, with the exam taking place on 26 June 2024. The course is fully paid at the advertised rate and all accommodation and Travel and Subsistence costs will also be covered.

**This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 6 weeks.**

**Job description**:

- Support senior inspectors travelling between farms to inspect seed potato crops for a number of different growers.
- Identify faults in the crops and record results of inspection in accordance with best practice
- Liaise with growers regarding the standard of their crops

**Person specification**:

- Excellent communication skills with the ability to engage effectively with both colleagues and growers and be able to communicate information in a clear, accurate and concise manner.
- Strong planning and organisational skills including the ability to use initiative to meet targets whilst working with mínimal supervision.
- The ability to use own initiative and judgement to make decisions, understanding the impact others and knowing when to seek the support of senior supervisors.
- A successful track record of working effectively as part of a team and building good working relationships with others.

**Benefits**:

- Learning and development tailored to your role
- An environment with flexible working options
- A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
- A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

**Selection process details**:

- Sift and Interview dates TBC- Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.**Security**:
- People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.**Nationality requirements**:
This job is broadly open to the following groups:

- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)**Working for the Civil Service**:

- The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
- We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).-
- This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.- Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.*