Skip to main contentAPHA Bee & Plant Inspector
Animal and Plant Health Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 5th June 2023
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About the job
Job summary
This is a full-time blended role where the predominant activity and skillset will be as a Seasonal Bee Inspector (SBI) (April – September). Successful candidate(s) will organise and conduct a statutory inspection programme of honeybee colonies, within a geographically defined area, for bee diseases and pests currently the subject of EU or UK statutory regulations, as directed and supervised by the Regional Bee Inspector.
Plant Inspector (October – March): Successful candidate(s) will conduct a statutory inspection programme of imported plant material for serious plant pests and diseases which threaten the viability of the agriculture and horticulture industries and protect the environment by preventing the introduction of non-native species and avoid widespread chemical use. Please note that, determined by business need, you may be assigned a role with Animal Health during the winter season in place of Plant Health. Work may require participation on shift or overtime rotas subject to location to deliver inspection services within published Service Level Agreements. Currently Plant Health provide export services between 7am-7pm, 7 days a week. Import service standards may vary subject to Border Control Point operating hours.
We are currently seeking inspectors in any of the following areas:
Wales | North Wales |
Eastern Region | North/West Norfolk |
Please note that location will be a deciding factor when offering roles to candidates.
Job description
Bee Inspector (April – September): Key tasks are as follows:
- Inspect Bee Colonies and confirm the presence of notifiable bee pests and diseases
- Treat or destroy confirmed diseased or infested colonies
- Issue standstill notices or movement licences upon apiary sites from which suspect pests or diseased material has been confirmed
- Engage in the preliminary investigative stages of any subsequent enforcement action brought under UK or EU statutory regulations
- Inspect beekeepers' premises, bee colonies, equipment, and Veterinary Medicines Records to confirm compliance with current EC and UK statutory regulations relating to bee health or wider animal health legislation
- Engage in Contingency Planning Activities which may take place outside of the geographical area normally covered
- Collect honey samples on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) as part of their statutory residue analysis programme
- Conduct preliminary field investigative work regarding suspected poisoning incidents on behalf of the Defra Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS)
- Maintain accurate and up-to-date apiary inspection records and other official records in connection to the legislative inspection framework
- Engage and work with Bee farmers in respect of the Disease Assurance Scheme for Honeybees (DASH)
- Engage local beekeepers using talks, apiary demonstrations, and the distribution of management-approved advisory material
- Liaise with local beekeepers, beekeepers' associations, research institutes and other organisations associated with the beekeeping sector to further the work of the NBU
- Regularly collect and report information about local beekeeping conditions, problems, and practices to support advisory, research and development and policy advisory work
- Maintain Competence Standards and follow Standard Operating Procedures to meet requirements of ISO17020
- Obtain City & Guilds Level 2 Bee Health Management and Safe Use of Veterinary Medicines
- Engage in the research and development activities of APHA (e.g., application of experimental disease control treatments, and collection of samples
The Seasonal Bee Inspector may also be required to engage in other duties, not directly associated with Bee Health organised by other APHA staff, under the management of the Head of the National Bee Unit (NBU).
Plant Inspector (October – March): Key tasks are as follows:
- Statutory inspection of imported plants, planting material and plant produce to ensure compliance with import regulations
- Crop surveys and soil sampling in connection with regulations made to prevent the spread of dangerous plant pests and diseases
- Inspection of certain agricultural and horticultural crops in connection with statutory and domestic plant health certification/classification schemes
- Organise emergency measures to control outbreaks of specified quarantine and non-indigenous pests and diseases in areas of proven competency and under manager supervision
The Seasonal Plant Inspector may also be required to engage in other duties, not directly associated with Plant Health organised by other APHA staff, under the management of the Head of Plant Health.
Person specification
Candidate specification:
All candidates must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to enable effective communication about bee and plant health topics with customers, service users and colleagues.
Bee Inspector (April – September): Successful candidates will have substantial beekeeping experience to enable them to competently engage commercial and hobbyist beekeepers. Candidates will understand the drivers of honeybee health, the specifics of UK apiculture, and how different local environmental conditions affect bee colonies. Candidates will have the experience to advise on wide ranging disease and husbandry related matters with beekeepers of all levels. Successful candidates will be confident, self-motivated, effective communicators with experience of building customer relationships. Candidates will have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English.
Plant Inspector (October – March): Although previous horticultural experience is useful it is not necessary, and it will not be tested during the selection process. Full training will be provided to successful candidates.
Key skills
- Knowledge and experience of apiculture, pests and diseases, and a high standard of bee handling
- Awareness of honeybee notifiable disease threats
- Ability to work alone or as part of team
- Ability to communicate at a high standard; explain, listen, persuade, be diplomatic, etc
- Ability to use various IT packages such as Outlook, SharePoint, Word, and Excel
- A full valid driving license is required
- Knowledge of basic Health and Safety and an understanding of safe working practices. Ensure APHA Health and Safety policies and procedures are always complied with. This is predominantly an outdoor role where walking across farmland and standing for prolonged periods may be required. The work can involve physical demands when in the field including lifting heavy boxes and working in hot sun.
This post is home based with daily travel within your inspection area but there will be an expectation that you may be required to attend other locations throughout UK on detached duty, based on business needs. Allowances will be paid subject to meeting eligibility criteria. For Plant Health work frequent visits to local office is required.
Licences
Languages
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Managing a Quality Service
- Communicating and Influencing
- Making Effective Decisions
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Online Picture Test
- Beekeeping knowledge - Biosecurity
- Beekeeping knowledge - Varroa
- Beekeeping knowledge - Notifiable Pest & Diseases
- Beekeeping knowledge - Husbandry
Benefits
Your pension is a valuable part of your total reward package and there are various options including Alpha and Partnership pension schemes in which Defra can invest in providing a contribution to the cost of your pension.
Your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire.
Time off
Offering 25 days annual leave (rising up to 30 days over 5 years) for new entrants to the Civil Service and retaining existing arrangements for current Civil Servants
Special Leave
Additional paid leave for other situations including family-related leave is available for employees volunteering and taking part in public duties, trade union activities, special/trained forces and for health & safety representatives.
Rewards
We have a Staff Recognition Scheme, and our in-year awards reward exemplary work.
Learning and Development
Access to five days learning and development each year to support professional development through Civil Service Learning, Corporate induction and three days special leave for volunteering.
Performance Management
Individual performance plans, learning and development matched to your agreed career objectives and progression plans.
Examination Leave
Paid leave for exams and revision for approved studies
Staff Wellbeing
Access to Employee Assistance Programme, available 24/7, providing advice and guidance on both personal and employment issues such as personal wellbeing, career development, legal matters such as landlord / tenant disputes. Access to Occupational Health Service and the Civil Service Sports Council.
Headspace
Free access to Headspace which is a mindfulness, meditation, and sleep app.
Work/life Balance
Travel & Transport Benefits
A range of travel and transport benefits. Access to the cycle to work salary sacrifice scheme that enables you to buy a bike up to the value of £6k.
Shopping & Leisure Benefits
A variety of discounts at online stores and leisure experiences available via 'Mylifestyle'.
Interest Free Loans
For season tickets and/or bicycles and safety equipment as well as tenancy deposit scheme
Other benefits
Sick pay
We have various measures in place to assist with your physical and emotional health. Our focus is on early intervention and proactivity in addressing health issues. However, should you not be well enough to attend work, occupational sick pay, increasing by length of service, is available.
Enhanced parental leave
We offer generous maternity leave, paternity leave and shared parental leave.
Things you need to know
Selection process details
Application Process
Candidate location is a key factor in the selection process and candidate must live within the required inspection area (or be willing to relocate).
As part of the application process you will be asked to complete a CV, personal statement, detailing what you can bring to the role.
Further details around what this will entail are listed on the application form.
Sift and interview dates as well as the interview location to be confirmed.
Interview
If successful at application stage, you will be invited to interview where you will be assessed on:
- An online photographic assessment of disease and pest recognition.
- An interview which will test behaviours, experience and technical knowledge and an apiculture practical skills assessment which will include testing your skill at Apiary handling, inspection & control, multitasking, biosecurity, disease and Shookswarm.
Candidates must pass each stage in order to be able to proceed to the next. Candidates that have not passed a stage will be advised of the result by the Plant & Bee Health Recruitment Team.
Merit Lists
Where more than one location is advertised, candidates will be posted in merit order by location. You will be asked to state your location preference on your application/Personal Statement.
Location
Please be aware that this role(s) will be contractually a homeworker. The successful candidate is required to carry out all their duties from a UK location and cannot do so from an overseas location at any time.
Reapplications
Candidates are ineligible to reapply for other Seasonal Bee Inspector vacancies for a period of 12 months if they do not pass the apiary assessment section of the application process.
Reserve List
A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.
Salary
New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.
Visa Sponsorship Statement
Please take note that Defra does not hold a UK Visa & Immigration (UKVI) Skilled Worker License sponsor and are unable to sponsor any individuals for Skilled Worker Sponsorship.
Reasonable Adjustment
If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.
If you need a change to be made so that you can make your application, you should:
- Contact Government Recruitment Service via defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk as soon as possible before the closing date to discuss your needs.
- Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Accessibility
If you are experiencing accessibility problems with any attachments on this advert, please contact the email address in the 'Contact point for applicants' section.
Criminal Record Check
If successful and transferring from another Government Department, a criminal record check maybe carried out.
In order to process applications without delay, we will be sending a Criminal Record Check to Disclosure and Barring Service on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms direct. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-Employment.Checks@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.
Internal Fraud Database Check
Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment.
A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Loan and Fixed Term Appointments
Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.
This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 24 months as a EO APHA Bee & Plant Inspector in APHA Plant & Bee Health
This is not a permanent post. It is fixed term because the post requires temporary cover, for no more than 24 months, pending potential approval of a permanent post. The fixed term will end (if the post has been approved as permanent) when the permanent recruitment completes or will end on the fixed term end date if the post has not been approved as permanent.
Your responsibilities in this post will be full-time blended role where the predominant activity and skillset will be as a Seasonal Bee Inspector (SBI) (April – September). Successful candidate(s) will organise and conduct a statutory inspection programme of honeybee colonies, within a geographically defined area, for bee diseases and pests currently the subject of EU or UK statutory regulations, as directed and supervised by the Regional Bee Inspector.
Plant Inspector (October – March): Successful candidate(s) will conduct a statutory inspection programme of imported plant material for serious plant pests and diseases which threaten the viability of the agriculture and horticulture industries and protect the environment by preventing the introduction of non-native species and avoid widespread chemical use. Please note that, determined by business need, you may be assigned a role with Animal Health during the winter season in place of Plant Health.
This post will therefore begin from your agreed start date and end in 24 months.
Childcare Vouchers
Any move to Defra from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Medical
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Jonathan Axe
- Email : Jonathan.axe@apha.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
Further information
Government Recruitment Services via email: defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Click here to visit Civil Service Commission
