Port Health Officer

**East Suffolk Council, Suffolk Coastal Port Health Authority**:

- **Based at either Harwich International Port CO12 4SR or Felixstowe Port IP11 4AZ**:

- **£36,648 - £45,441 per annum - plus a 14% shift allowance**:

- **37 hours per week on a rotational shift pattern including weekend working**:

- **Permanent**

It is a really exciting time to be joining our Port Health Team as we transform our services in response to the UK’s departure from the European Union.

We currently have an exciting opportunity to join the East Suffolk Council's Port Health Team as a **Port Health Officer (Authorised Officer)**.

Our mission is the protection of public and animal health, carrying out a range of checks to ensure imported goods are safe for all of us in the UK.

To become part of our team, you will be enthusiastic, keen to learn and thrive on working in a fast-paced environment.

**The role**

Your role will be to work with our existing Authorised Officers/Port Health Officers in carrying out various checks on imported products (including fish and organic items) to ensure they are safe for distribution in the UK. You will also protect international health by monitoring health conditions on board ships in order to prevent disease. You will have the opportunity to work under your own initiative but also with others as part of our friendly team.

**What you need**

This is a career graded post, and the responsibilities of the role will be undertaken at a level appropriate to the postholder’s qualifications, experience, and competence, as laid out in the job description. It will be essential to have either a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Environmental Health, or a Higher Certificate in Food Control with 3 years’ experience in a food and safety field. Applications will be considered from trainees, however you will be required to have completed your academic studies, CDP and professional interview by the date of your interview.

However, if you do not currently have the essential qualifications and are keen to take the next step in your career, we will consider appointing at the band below.
- After initial training you will participate in a shift rota covering a variety of shifts 6.30am - 10pm including weekends, which will attract a 14% shift allowance on top of the base salary.

**Why work for us?**

**Here are some of the main benefits**:

- Great opportunities for training and development
- Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
- Local government pension scheme
- Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.

For more information, please see our **benefits brochure (pdf)**.

**To find out more**

**Closing date: 9am 13th May 2024**

**Interview date: w/c 20th May 2024**

**How to apply**

**Step 1 - **Read the advert and the **Job Description and Person Specification (docx)**

**Step 2 - **Complete the **Supporting Statement template (docx)**. Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification. Please use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted).

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people’s lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk.

We hugely value our staff and know that in order for us to remain successful, it is essential for us to recognise talented employees, developing and retaining them within the organisation. We are therefore committed to investing in our staff and providing first-class support to ensure a positive culture and rewarding careers.