Plant Health & Seeds Inspector

Government Recruitment Service; Lincoln; Hybrid; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency in Lincoln is seeking a Higher Executive Officer to manage compliance and inspections in horticulture. Responsibilities include leading investigations, certifying exports, and managing a team to ensure targets are met. Candidates must be flexible to work various shifts, have independent access to a car, and be prepared for occasional travel. This essential role ensures adherence to statutory regulations within the plant health sector.

Benefits

Business mileage reimbursement

Flexible work patterns

Qualifications

• Experience in managing a geographical area with targets and quality standards.
• Knowledge of statutory inspections and compliance related to horticulture.
• Ability to lead investigations and enforcement actions.

Responsibilities

• Manage designated geographical area ensuring targets are met.
• Conduct inspections and enforce regulations for horticultural produce.
• Lead investigations against traders for statutory breaches.
• Certify exports and issue necessary certificates.
• Engage stakeholders on plant health issues.

Skills

Management skills

Line management

Investigation skills

Stakeholder engagement

Job description

As a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) you will be reporting to a Senior Executive Officer (SEO), you will plan and undertake a programme of tasks, working independently and/or as part of a team.

The range of duties will be dependent on the working region, training, competence and statutory requirements, but may include:

Core Responsibilities

• Manage a designated geographical area: plan, prioritise, delegate, and ensure targets and quality standards are met.
• Line and functional management of EO inspectors for competent delivery of work.
• Act as local incident commander during pest/disease outbreaks.

Statutory Inspections & Compliance

• Inspect imported horticultural produce, plants, and planting material for compliance with import regulations.
• Enforce marketing standards and grading rules for fresh horticultural produce in England and Wales.
• Conduct statutory inspections for Single Market plant health requirements.
• Inspect crops for plant health certification/classification schemes.
• Perform duties under the Plant Varieties and Seeds Act 1964, including crop inspections, seed sampling, and enforcement checks.

Investigations & Enforcement

• Lead investigations and enforcement actions against traders; prepare court‑ready case files for CPS.
• Collect and collate criminal evidence for breaches of statutory requirements.
• Conduct scientific licence audits and follow‑up actions.

Export Certification

• Certify exports of horticultural produce and plants, issue conformity and phytosanitary certificates, and advise exporters.

Surveys & Sampling

• Carry out crop surveys and soil sampling to prevent spread of pests/diseases.
• Collect samples for olive oil standards, market pricing data, and pesticide residue testing.

Intelligence & Stakeholder Engagement

• Collate and communicate intelligence on plant health issues to Technical Advice Panels (TAP).
• Engage stakeholders to raise awareness of plant health controls and marketing requirements.
• Deliver specialised work on behalf of TAPs.

Plant Health offers a 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week level of service to the trade for import & export certification & biosecurity checks.

Depending on location you may be required to work in a shift pattern. This pattern can be early morning or a late evening shift and can span over weekends and public holidays. Candidates should expect to work flexibly to meet the varied work patterns defined by business need. You may be required to work at other locations, so candidates must be prepared to occasionally work and stay away from home.

Candidates will need independent access to a car to visit clients / collect samples / carry equipment. Some client locations and working hours preclude the use of public transport. Business mileage will be reimbursed.