Environmental Health Officer - Immediate Start

Job Description

Environmental Health Officer - Port Health

VANRATH are assisting a major Public Sector organisation with the recruitment of a Technical Support Officer to support on Environmental Port Health in Belfast. The role will initially run for around 3 months, with this highly likely to be extended, this proves to be a great opportunity.

Full-Time post working average 37 hours per week over 4 week shift pattern 2 weeks on days and 2 weeks on nights (12 hour shifts)

Salary

£28,000 - £30,000 per annum + Fantastic Public Sector Benefits

Client

Port health authorities have responsibility to protect the public, environmental and animal health. These authorities carry out a range of health and quality controls at the UK borders.

The Ideal Person

  • Hold a third level qualification in a relevant subject such as environmental science, food science, food technology or equivalent relevant qualification.
  • Possess a full, current driving licence, or, access to a form of transport which will enable them to meet the requirements of the post in full.
  • Knowledge of technical and legislative aspects of food safety and food standards.

Responsibilities

  • To protect public and animal health by applying checks in accordance with UK, NI and EU legislation.
  • To be responsible for handling telephone calls from agents, importers, shipping lines and other agencies and dealing with all enquiries where appropriate, referring calls to the EHOs or other agencies as necessary.
  • To be responsible for dealing with general Port Health emails and taking relevant actions which can involve a wide range of responses including, but not restricted to, calling containers for examination, making decisions on whether to release a container from hold or to refer to an EHO.
  • Under the supervision of the EHOs, code manifests for all vessels arriving at PoB and apply documentary holds on containers (as required) for identity checks, physical examination and sampling checks, fish identity checks and to identify containers that require further clarification.
  • To carry out manifest and ID checks on low-risk products and the preliminary ID checks on high-risk products under the supervision of an EHO and advise as required on any irregularities, and if required, follow up with the agent or importer to obtain further information.
  • To perform documentary and seal checks on consignments at the ferry terminal ensuring the quick release of driver accompanied trailers that do not require routing to the inspection facility for a physical or enhanced ID check.
  • To assist the EHO or other officers as required with physical checks and support them in the sampling of high risk foodstuffs.
  • Once checks are complete, update databases and pass on relevant documentation to EHO or other professional officer, and report any discrepancies as required.
  • To ensure that goods are directed into the correct facility prior to destruction/re-dispatch. Manage the destruction of unsatisfactory consignments ensuring that goods are destroyed at the correct waste facility.
  • To process transhipment release requests, ensure all information is provided and documentation is in order, and release non-animal origin (NAO)/non-food containers. Schedule, release and check transhipment of products of animal origin (POAO) transhipping containers.

For further information on this vacancy, or any other Scientific or Data role in Belfast or wider Northern Ireland, please apply via the link below or contact Shannon McKinley in the strictest confidence.