Principal Port Health Officer

Ashford Borough Council; Ashford; On-site; GBP 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

A local government authority in Ashford is seeking a Principal Port Health Officer to lead Border Control operations. Key responsibilities include managing staff and conducting essential checks on food and animal products. The ideal candidate will possess a Master's degree or equivalent in Environmental Health and a strong background in enforcement and food safety. This position offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Excellent pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Free life insurance

Supportive relocation package

Opportunities for training and development

Qualifications

• MSc, Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health required.
• Extensive enforcement experience across food areas.
• Experience in leading a food-related service mandatory.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned staff within the service and lead Border Control Post operations.
• Conduct official controls on food and animal products.
• Ensure compliance with food inspection and safety standards.

Skills

Environmental Health expertise

Leadership in food safety

Enforcement experience

Education

MSc or Degree in Environmental Health

Certificate of Registration with EHRB

Job description

Overview

Principal Port Health Officer – Closing date 18.11.2025
Salary from £49,998 to £55,416 pa, depending on skills and experience, plus 14% Shift Allowance
Full time – 37 hours per week - Hours of work are based on a 24/7 shift pattern

Location: Sevington Inland Border Facility (Ashford Border Control Post) Ashford, Kent

Our Border Control Facility on the Sevington site, near junction 10A of the M20 provides the customs and transit checks required for hauliers following Brexit.

Responsibilities

• Manage assigned staff within the service and take lead responsibility for aspects of Border Control Post work.
• Conduct Official Controls including checks on imports of products of animal origin and high risk food not of animal origin; undertake checks of organic food, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, animal composites and other relevant controlled goods.
• Act as lead signatory for fishery products and composite goods.
• Make an effective contribution to the development and achievement of the Ashford Border BCP health protection and business objectives.
• Provide extensive enforcement coverage across a wide range of food areas including inspection of premises, monitoring and food sampling, plus prosecutions.
• Demonstrate operational and/or technical leadership within a food-related service; manage people and/or resources including performance management.

Qualifications and experience

• MSc, Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health and Certificate of Registration with the Environmental Health Registration Board EHRB (CIEH).
• Extensive enforcement experience across food areas.
• Experience in implementing and leading a food-related service and in managing people and resources, including performance management.
• Proven ability to work with environmental health professionals across the organisation.

Other information

• For an informal discussion about this role please contact Karis Valli on 01233 330204.
• We can offer VISA certificates of sponsorship for this role. Please contact [e-mail] for more information.
• When Applying: Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email [e-mail].
• Competitive remuneration package – We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.
• Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide.
• We welcome applications from the Armed Forces Community.