Agricultural Officer

Overview:
An exciting opportunity has arisen for 4 Agricultural Officers to join the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate) in the Perth (3) and Ayr (1) Area Offices.

Within the Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate, the Rural Payments and Inspections Division (RPID) are accountable for the strategic process that regulates and oversees the payment of Agricultural grants and subsidies and related inspection regimes totalling £700m/annum.

As an Agricultural Officer, you will perform a key role in the work of the Division and will be a primary point of contact for farmers and the rural community. You will be engaged in a wide variety of duties, many of an outdoor nature, including visits to farms to carry out inspections. Our inspections may involve working in a livestock environment, verifying land eligibility in diverse landscapes and assessing growing crop plant health in the field. The varied role of an Agricultural Officer may also involve elements of desk-based processing and engaging directly with customers and stakeholders from the rural sector in order to provide valuable support to the Scottish agricultural industry.

It is important to note that this role includes carrying out site visits to diverse types of agricultural establishments, often over extensive and difficult terrain and in all weather conditions. Experience of crossing this type of land and a willingness to undertake these visits are prerequisites for the post.

This vacancy contributes towards the Scottish Government National Outcome ‘Our public services are high quality, continually improving, efficient and responsive to local people's needs. For information on Scottish Government National Outcomes visit this Website.

**Responsibilities**:

- Visit farms to inspect and measure land using GPS equipment.
- Inspect cattle and sheep and associated records to confirm traceability and cross compliance requirements.
- Office based processing of claims under the Single Application Form (SAF). This will include interpreting mapping data and other forms of evidence to check eligibility of claims.
- Inspect growing crops of cereals and seed potatoes to ensure they meet classification standards.

**Competencies**:
Self-awareness

Communication and Engagement

Improving Performance

Analysis and Use of Evidence

Essential Criteria & Qualifications:
Driving licence which allows you to drive in the UK

**Essential Criteria**:
1. Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with both colleagues and stakeholders.

2. Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an ability to produce clear and concise written material.

3. Demonstrate a practical experience of working in agriculture, crofting, land management or a related rural discipline and an understanding of farming practices in Scotland.

4. Proven and current experience using a wide range of IT Packages including Microsoft Office.

**Location**:SEERAD Perth, Broxden Business Park, PH1 1RX / Russell House, Ayr, KA8 0BG

**Interview and Assessment**:Dates to be confirmed

**Minimum time in post**:
You will be expected to remain in post for a minimum of three years unless successful at gaining promotion to a higher Band or Grade.

**HOW TO APPLY & ADDITIONAL INFORMATION**:
**How to apply**:
**Additional information**:
For further information, please download and review the “Person Specification” which you will find below.

**Person_Specification_Band**

The post is a full-time role, but staff with different working patterns are invited to apply, and we will assess proposed working patterns against the business requirements for this post.

**As part of any recruitment process, Scottish Government and associated public bodies collects and processes personal data relating to job applicants and applicants for public appointments.**

**Personal information you provide in the recruitment process will be made available to Scottish Government and our additional data processors.