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 oversee the Border Control operations at the Sevington Inland Border Facility. This role requires extensive food control experience and a strong management background. Responsibilities include acting as the lead signatory for inspections and managing a team of staff during a 24/7 operational pattern. Competitive remuneration package offered, including a salary ranging from £49,998 to £55,416, with additional benefits and support for training and development.

Benefits

Excellent salary linked pension scheme

Generous annual leave

Free life insurance

Supportive relocation package

Opportunities for training and development

Qualifications

• Extensive experience in food control including checks and inspections.
• Proficient manager with enforcement experience.
• Ability to manage staff and oversee Border Control Post operations.

Responsibilities

• Act as lead signatory for fishery products and composite goods.
• Conduct official controls on imports of high-risk food.
• Manage assigned staff within the Border Control Post.

Skills

Food control experience

Staff management

Inspection and monitoring

Enforcement experience

Education

MSc, Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health

Certificate of Registration with CIEH or REHIS

Job description

Principal Port Health Officer – Closing date 25.01.2026

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 (Border Control Post) Ashford, Kent

Overview

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.

The services at the Border Control Facility are being delivered through functional teams covering 24 hour and 7 day week pattern of operation and we are looking for an officer to manage assigned staff in the service.

Responsibilities

You will have extensive experience in food control as you will be responsible for acting as lead signatory for fishery products and composite goods along with: Conducting Official Controls including carrying out checks on imports of products of animal origin and high risk food not of animal origin. Undertaking checks of organic food, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, animal composites and other relevant controlled goods. Managing assigned staff within the service and take lead responsibility for aspects of Border Control Post work.

Qualifications

MSc, Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health and Certificate of Registration with either the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) or the Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland (REHIS). You will be a proficient manager and have extensive enforcement experience covering a wide range of food areas including inspection of premises, monitoring and food sampling plus prosecution experience.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Karis Valli on 01233 330204.

Click to view Shift Pattern.

Click to view a Job Description.

Candidates who do not meet all of the essential criteria for the role they are applying for will not be shortlisted. When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the essential requirements. Applications that only address desirable criteria, or do not provide sufficient evidence against the essential criteria, will not progress to the next stage.

To Apply click here or visit our jobs page at www.ashford.gov.uk/jobs.

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, 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.