Port Health Officer

East Suffolk Council; Felixstowe; Hybrid; GBP 37,000 - 47,000; Part time

Job summary

A local council in Felixstowe seeks a Port Health Officer to join its Port Health Team part-time. Your responsibilities will involve conducting checks on imported products to ensure they are safe for distribution while monitoring health conditions on ships. Candidates should possess a degree in Environmental Health or equivalent with at least three years of experience. The role offers a flexible schedule with opportunities for progression and generous benefits including a local government pension scheme and learning development tailored to your role.

Benefits

Generous leave entitlement

Local government pension scheme

Flexible working arrangements

Learning and development opportunities

Staff support networks

Discounts on various products and services

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent qualifications in Environmental Health.
• Experience in a food and safety field for at least 3 years.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Responsibilities

• Conduct checks on imported products to ensure safety for distribution.
• Monitor health conditions on board ships to prevent disease spread.
• Work under your initiative and collaborate with team members.

Skills

Passion for public health

Adaptability in fast-paced environments

Team collaboration

Education

Degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Environmental Health

Higher Certificate in Food Control with 3 years of experience

Job description

Job Description

• East Suffolk Council
• Address: Felixstowe Port, Oysterbed Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk IP11 4AZ
• Salary: £37,938 - £46,731 per annum (pro rata)
• Hours: 3 days per week, 22 hours per week
• Contract: Permanent

We currently have exciting opportunities to join the East Suffolk Council's Port Health Team as a Port Health Officer on a part‑time basis.

Our mission is the protection of public and animal health, carrying out a range of checks to ensure imported goods are safe for all of us in the UK. Find out more via our video of the team and what they do. To become part of our team, you will be passionate, keen to learn and thrive on working in a fast‑paced environment.

The role

Your role will be to work with our existing Port Health Officers in carrying out various checks on imported products (including non‑animal origin, fish and organic items) to ensure they are safe for distribution in the UK. You will also protect international health by monitoring health conditions on board ships in order to prevent disease. You will have the opportunity to work under your own initiative but also with others as part of our friendly team.

What You Need

This is a career graded post, and the responsibilities of the role will be undertaken at a level appropriate to your qualifications, experience, and competence, as laid out in the job description. It will be essential to have either a degree or equivalent Level 6 qualification in Environmental Health, or a Higher Certificate in Food Control with 3 years’ experience in a food and safety field.

This is a part‑time role covering 22 hours a week across 3 days. We are flexible in what this looks like – daytime working hours or joining our shift pattern which covers 6.30am – 10pm Monday to Friday. The shift pattern does attract a 14% shift allowance on top of base salary. Please note that there is no requirement to work weekends within this post.

This post sits within a career progression framework that will recognise your qualifications, experience and competency as well as offering potential development opportunities.

For more information

For an informal discussion regarding this post, please contact Steve Dearsley, Operations Team Leader, by emailing [e-mail].

Why work for us?

East Suffolk Council is a great place to work and there are lots of benefits our employees can access. To find out more about why we are so proud of East Suffolk Council, take a look at our video and hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work (YouTube).

Main Benefits

• Generous leave entitlement (equivalent to 25 days a year, increasing to 31 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays)
• Local government pension scheme
• Flexible working arrangements
• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A wide variety of staff support networks including access to health and wellbeing initiatives and programmes.
• Discounts on mobile phones, computers, holiday and travel, fashion and clothing, health and beauty and many other products and services.

Find more information about what we offer in our benefits brochure (pdf).

How To Apply

Step 1 - Read the advert and the Job Description and Person Specification (Word).

Step 2 - Complete the Supporting Statement template (Word). Your statement needs to indicate how you meet each of the criteria contained within the Person Specification. Please use the template provided (other formats will not be accepted).

Step 3 - Complete the online application and upload your statement. Please note, CVs are not accepted.

For more information, check out the How to Apply page on our Career Site.

Closing date: 11.30 pm, 7 January 2026.

Interview date: Week commencing, 19 January 2026.

About Us

East Suffolk Council is an exciting place to work and a great place to make a real difference to people’s lives, delivering vital services to a quarter of a million people across East Suffolk.

We hugely value our staff and know that in order for us to remain successful, it is essential for us to recognise talented employees, developing and retaining them within the organisation. We are therefore committed to investing in our staff and providing first‑class support to ensure a positive culture and rewarding careers.

To find out more about why we are so proud of East Suffolk Council and to hear why our employees think it is such a great place to work, take a look at our video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSWedQksWt0