Plant Health & Seeds Inspector - Eastern

Can you help us protect the biosecurity of Great Britain, safeguarding plant health for the benefit of people, the environment and the economy?
If you have a passion for plants and the environment, with good communication and organisational skills, and an eye for detail, we want to hear from you. We’ll support you throughout your career development and provide extensive training so you’ll also need an enthusiasm to learn.
We have a number of exciting opportunities to join our team of Plant & Bee Health Inspectors delivering physical inspections of plants, associated products and produce across the region.
Working as part of a regional team, on-site inspections may include visiting farms, nurseries, garden centres and markets, as well as conducting wider environmental surveys, so you should be happy to work outdoors all year round.
Please be aware that these roles will be based in following regions :
Eastern Region North: Spalding
Eastern Region Central: Cambridge, Bury St Edmunds
Eastern Region South: Welwyn Garden City, London - based at New Spitalfields Market, Chelmsford, Heathrow, Supported by your line manager, your main duties will include, but are not limited to:
+ Physical inspection of plants, seeds, planting material and produce, agricultural crops and machinery, looking for quarantine plant pests and diseases and collecting samples where appropriate. This may include taking action to control potential outbreaks
+ Perform statutory duties, enforce marketing standards, ensure compliance with regulations
+ Build client relationships and manage customer expectations, in line with policies, targets and legislation. Be prepared to undertake difficult conversations with customers, stakeholders and/or delivery partners
+ Complete administrative duties accurately and in accordance with standard operating procedures, agency guidelines and within established timescales
For a more detailed description of the role and responsibilities, please see the attached Further Information.
Successful candidates will be required to:
+ Be committed to training and continued development in service delivery
+ Communicate complex issues clearly to customers, both internally & externally in English
+ Work collaboratively in a high-pressure, time sensitive environment with delivery partners
+ Work safely by adhering to all APHA health and safety policies
We will offer you:
+ Full training and support to become an inspector and carry out your duties
+ Ongoing career development, which may include insight, technical and professional development. This may be provided with partners or in-house and you will have access to Civil Service-wide learning and development opportunities, Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be conducted using the Personal Statement.
Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.
Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on Behaviours, Strengths and Technical skills under the Success Profile Framework.
When giving your Behaviour answers you should focus on very specific examples and frame your answer using the STAR method.
The Technical element will be a short knowledge test based on plant identification and identifying pests and diseases will also be conducted at interview. The Knowledge test is based on 20 questions, and includes both pictures and text questions. Candidates will need to score at least 50% in order to pass.
All interviews will be conducted virtually via MS Teams.
Location
As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s)
Where the location is ‘National’ the successful appointee should discuss and agree an appropriate contractual location in line with both Defra’s location policy and site capacity, prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
Successful applicants currently employed by the hiring Defra organisation for this post may choose to remain in their current contractual location or may choose to change contractual location to one of those listed above. This should be discussed and agreed prior to proceeding with pre-employment processes.
The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.
Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.
The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location, and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
+ Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs
+ Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstances some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

In addition to the below listed criteria we are looking for candidates who are disciplined, organised, able to analyse information with precision. Candidates should be confident even when under pressure and be team players, whilst taking ownership over their own work.
The following Experience criteria are essential to this post:
You must meet these essential criteria:
+ Minimum of an National Diploma or equivalent qualification in Agriculture/Horticulture/ Biological Science or at least 2 years relevant industry experience in this area
+ Be IT competent in order to examine online applications, delivery plans and record findings via a paperless system. Be proficient in using MS Word, Outlook, Teams and Excel
+ Good communication, planning and organisational skills
+ Respond positively to change
+ Ability to meet targets and re-prioritise work
+ Prepared to work flexibly to offer a 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week level of service to the trade for import & export certification & biosecurity checks
+ Have a full, valid UK driving licence (evidence to be provided at interview) with independent access to own transport. Candidates will need to use their own vehicle to carry out their duties, for which business mileage will be reimbursed, Essential to this post, and will be tested at both sift and interview:
Minimum of an National Diploma or equivalent qualification in Agriculture/Horticulture/ Biological Science or at least 2 years relevant industry experience in this area.
(If you are a final year student at College or university we will accept a predicted grade and use your completed course modules and in field experience that you outline in your CV and personal statement to judge your suitability)., + Communicating and Influencing
+ Delivering at Pace
+ Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ The Technical element will be a short knowledge test based on plant identification and identifying pests and diseases will also be conducted at interview. Candidates will need to score at least 50% in order to pass., + a CV detailing your relevant experience and qualifications
+ a 500 word personal statement showing how you meet the criteria as outlined above
You will be expected to demonstrate in your Personal Statement the following:
+ Your experience in Horticulture and/or agriculture
+ Demonstrate how your qualifications and experience of the essential criteria listed will enable you to deliver the role as outlined in the job description

Alongside your salary of £27,470, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £7,417 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Pension and Financial Benefits
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package and there are various options including Alpha and Partnership pension schemes in which Defra can invest in providing a contribution to the cost of your pension.
Life Assurance: if you become too ill or die before retirement valuable benefits will be provided to you and your family.
Time off
25 days annual leave (rising up to 30 days over 5 years) for new entrants to the Civil Service and retaining existing arrangements for current Civil Servants.
Special Leave
Additional paid leave for other situations including family-related leave is available for employees volunteering and taking part in public duties, trade union activities, special/trained forces and for health & safety representatives.
Rewards
We have a Staff Recognition Scheme with our in-year awards rewarding exemplary work.
Learning and Development
Access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development through Civil Service Learning. Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering.
Performance Management
Individual performance plans, learning and development matched to your agreed career objectives and progression plans.
Examination Leave
Paid leave for exams and revision for approved studies.
Staff Wellbeing
Access to Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7, providing advice and guidance on both personal and employment issues such as personal wellbeing, career development, legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes. Access to the Employee Assistance Programme, Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Sports Council.
Headspace
Free access to Headspace which is a mindfulness, meditation and sleep app.
Work/ Life Balance:
Travel & Transport Benefits
A range of travel and transport benefits. Access to the cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme that enables you to buy a bike up to the value of £6k.
Shopping and Leisure Benefits
A variety of discounts at online stores and leisure experiences available via Mylifestyle.
Interest Free Loans
For season tickets and/or bicycles and safety equipment as well as tenancy deposit scheme.
Other Benefits:
Sick Pay
We have various measures in place to assist with your physical and emotional health. Our focus is on early intervention and proactivity in addressing health issues. However, should you not be well enough to attend work, occupational sick pay, increasing by length of service, is available.
Enhanced Parental Leave
We offer generous maternity leave, paternity leave and shared parental leave.
Making it work for you
You will be part of a wider Plant & Bee Health team of over 600 Inspectors across the country, which will provide you with support and the opportunity to develop through out your Civil Service Career.