Plant Health & Seeds Inspector

Government Recruitment Service; Norwich; On-site; GBP 30,000 - 40,000; Full time

Job summary

A government agency is seeking a Higher Executive Officer (HEO) responsible for managing and inspecting horticultural produce compliance. The role involves extensive responsibilities including planning tasks, managing teams, and conducting inspections under various regulations. Candidates should possess strong management skills, the ability to work flexibly, and independent access to a car for client visits. This position may require varied working hours and potential travel, providing a significant opportunity in a vital public service role.

Benefits

Business mileage reimbursement

Qualifications

• Ability to manage a designated geographical area and ensure quality standards.
• Capable of conducting inspections and enforcing regulations.
• Experience in investigations and evidence collection.

Responsibilities

• Plan and undertake tasks independently or as part of a team.
• Inspect imported horticultural produce for compliance.
• Lead investigations against traders for breaches of statutory requirements.
• Certify exports and issue phytosanitary certificates.
• Carry out crop surveys and soil sampling to prevent pest spread.

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.