Animal Health Officer - Scotland

Job summary

As an Animal Health Officer within Animal Plant Health Office, you will play a role in protecting the UK from animal and plant related threats to human health, the economy and the environment.

Are you caring, conscientious and an excellent team worker?

Do you enjoy working outside?

If the answer is ‘yes’, you should come and work for APHA!

Please see our video below for information and our capability document here.

Want to learn more?

Drop in

Whilst the advert provides the essential details, we will also be holding a virtual drop-in session on Wednesday 28th January at 1300hrs. This session will be an opportunity to ask questions related to the job and the application process.

To join the session, click on this link at 13:00 on 28/01/26.

For any additional queries, please raise enquiries via: HRResourcingDelivery@defra.gov.uk

We have four permanent vacancies based at the following locations:

Perth

Ayr

Hamilton

Inverness or Thurso (the post can be based in either office)

All posts will be offered in merit order based on location and business need. If permanent vacancies are not available in your preferred location, we may offer you a fixed-term appointment in merit order based on your location preference.

Working as part of Technical Team, you will be instrumental in helping to safeguard animal health and welfare. Through engaging with inspections, surveillance and collecting samples, you will be contributing to the control and eradication of disease to protect both the economy and food security.

We are looking for compassionate, dedicated individuals who strive for excellence and integrity and who put animal health and welfare at the heart of everything they do.

Job description

As a field-based Animal Health Officer (AHO) your duties will include, but not limited to the following:

• blood sampling of livestock species including cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry (after suitable training)
• collecting blood samples from bTB breakdown cattle herds, including suckler, beef and dairy herds
• conducting documentation inspections on animal identification, animal movement, breeding, medicine and other written or electronic records for audit and disease control and surveillance purposes
• collecting samples for National Surveillance Schemes including feed samples from farms, feed mills and feed merchants
• collecting samples and information for disease surveys
• managing compliance inspections for premises handling animal by-products e.g., rendering plants, composting sites, hunt kennels and knackers' yards
• playing an active part in contingency planning so the agency is able to respond to outbreaks of exotic notifiable disease and other emergencies
• undertaking allocated rostered out of hours on-call duties to deal with incidents and to support disease outbreak reports
• participating as directed, to contribute to the control and the eradication of the disease including taking part in rosters for detached duty to other parts of Great Britain during outbreaks of notifiable disease
• working with a diverse team, both locally and across Great Britain, including other technical colleagues, veterinary surgeons and scientists during notifiable disease outbreaks

Support and Training

All successful candidates will be provided with an extensive programme of training and support as part of their induction into working with APHA. Some training will involve travel and overnight stays.

APHA appreciates the varying level of experiences and skills successful candidates will hold on joining the agency. Training material is designed to ensure all new entrants, to APHA, build suitable confidence and competencies to deliver the work.

New AHO staff will be part of regional, country and GB wide teams who will be provided with widespread support on all facets of APHA work.

Person specification

We are looking for candidates with the following essential experience and skills:

• an agricultural background, an agricultural qualification or have knowledge of the agricultural industry
• high standards of written and spoken English and can communicate effectively about animal health topics with all stakeholders including customers, service users and colleagues
• knowledge of basic Health and Safety and an understanding of safe working on farms and with livestock and poultry
• able to work alone or as part of team, to take responsibility and remain positive and focused in the face of challenge
• experience with excellent record keeping, auditing processes and maintaining quality

Licences

A valid driving licence that covers the UK and access to a vehicle with appropriate business use insurance.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge of GB livestock industry
• Applying Technical Animal Husbandry Knowledge
• Managing and Adhering to Processes and Quality Standards when in a farm environment

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,715, Animal and Plant Health Agency contributes £8,608 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1

Application Process

As part of the application process, you will be asked to complete:

• A CV submitted through an on-line tool accessed through the Civil Service Jobsite; there is no requirement to upload your personal CV.
• A 500-word Personal Statement.
• Your CV and personal statement will be assessed using Success Profiles: Civil Service experience.

CV Guidance

Your CV should consist of your career history, including any key achievements and your main responsibilities in each role and be no longer than 2 pages. Your CV will be assessed and scored, the scoring of your CV will be out of 7 aligned to Success Profile experience scoring rating.

Personal Statement Guidance

When completing your Personal Statement, please read and understand the Person Specification thoroughly, as this is what your written evidence will be assessed against. Please ensure you evidence the key personal qualities and experiences that align with the criteria. Consider the Job Description and look to demonstrate how your previous experience may align with the expectations and be applicable to the role. The written evidence you provide must relate to your own experiences. Your layout is entirely your preference; you may choose narrative, bullets, etc. Your Personal Statement will be assessed and scored, the scoring of your Personal Statement will be out of 7 aligned to Success Profile experience scoring rating.

We encourage you to use the full 500-word allowance of the Personal Statement but not to exceed.

You may choose to address each criteria separately, however, one narrative example may cover and evidence several essential criteria.

For further guidance and information on how to construct your application (CV, Personal Statement and Behaviours), you are encouraged to visit the Civil Service Careers website. How to write your CV , Civil Service Careers

Sift

A sift will be conducted using the Personal Statement and the CV. Candidates who pass the sift will be progressed to interview.

Should a large number of applications be received, the sift may be scored on Personal Statement only. Candidates who pass the initial sift may be progressed to a full sift, or progressed straight to assessment/interview.

Sift and interview dates to be confirmed.

Stage 2

Preparing for the interview

During the interview you will be assessed based on:

• The Behaviour Communicating and Influencing specified in the Job Advert, following the Behaviour criteria outlined in the Success Profiles: Civil Service behaviours - GOV.UK framework for EO positions.
• The Technical Skills outlined in the advert following the Success Profiles: Technical - GOV.UK framework.
• A selection of Strength based questions related to the role requirements. Following the . There is no expectation or requirement for you to prepare for the strengths-based questions in advance of the interview, though you may find it helpful to spend some time reflecting on what you enjoy doing and what you do well.
• Your previous experiences relevant to the role requirements outlined in the advert following the Success Profiles: Experience - GOV.UK framework
• Upon receiving the interview invitation, please log into the system to schedule your interview slot in advance.

Interviews will be conducted via MS Teams, and a link will be provided in your interview invitation.

The interview

The interview will follow a blended approach and will last approximately 45 minutes. A blended interview aims to be more of a conversation at interview, offering a more inclusive approach.

The Strength and Behaviour based questioning explores what the candidate can and has done, but also their potential. Behavioural questions will explore what you have done in previous jobs or experiences as well as what you have achieved and/or learned.

Strength questions will explore what you enjoy and your motivations relevant to the job role.

This is an example of a strengths-based question:

“It is often said that the customer's needs should come first. To what extent do you agree or disagree with this statement?”
Technical questions will explore your technical knowledge in specific areas.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Location

As part of the pre-employment process for this post, successful candidate(s) will be able to agree a contractual workplace from those locations listed in this advert. The agreed contractual workplace is then the substantive and permanent place of work for the successful candidate(s).

The agreed amount of time spent at a workplace for this post will reflect the requirement for Civil Servants to spend at least 60% of their working time in an organisation workplace with the option to work the remaining time flexibly from home. Working time spent at a workplace may include time spent at other organisational locations including field-based operational locations, together with supplier, customer or partner locations. This is a non-contractual agreement which is consistent with common Civil Service expectations.

Travel costs to non-contractual workplaces will be subject to departmental travel and subsistence policies. Travel costs to contractual workplaces are the responsibility of the employee.

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.

Defra includes the core department, APHA, RPA, Cefas and VMD.

You will be nominally aligned within a delivery area, which will have a designated APHA office. During certain circumstances (e.g., national disease outbreaks) there will be requests to work on detached duty elsewhere, depending on business need. These requests may be made at short notice. The post holder may be occasionally required to work from other locations in the delivery area.

Successful candidates will be expected to be part of a rota to support Detached Duty whereby they could be called upon to support e.g. national disease outbreaks across England, Scotland and Wales, these requests may be made at short notice.

You will be expected to occasionally stay away from home on overnight stays for business-as-usual tasks on islands and other remote sites where it is not reasonable to travel there and back within working hours.

There are expense allowances, processes and policies in place to support this.

You may also occasionally be required to stay away from home for meetings and training.

Staff will also be required to work rostered on-call duties, weekends, Bank Holidays and occasional evenings.

Reserve List

A reserve list may be held for a period of 12 months from which further appointments can be made.

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. There is a facility to select National if you are content to be based at any location throughout the UK.

Salary

New entrants are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band.

An additional pay supplement of up to £3,000 (pro rata), which may be offered following an annual capability assessment. The supplement will be paid per annum and divided into monthly payments

These allowances do not form part of the Terms of Employment and may be withdrawn subject to funding. Employees assessed at Level 1 £1,500 (Working) or Level 2 £3,000 (Practitioner) will receive an annual Specialist Pay Level (SPL) allowance.

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 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 toDisclosure Scotland on your behalf. However, we recognise in exceptional circumstance some candidates will want to send their completed forms dir ect. If you will be doing this, please advise Government Recruitment Service of your intention by emailing Pre-EmploymentChecks.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk stating the job reference number in the subject heading.

For further information on the Disclosure Scotland confidential checking service telephone: the Disclosure Scotland Helpline on 0870 609 6006 and ask to speak to the operations manager in confidence, or email Info@disclosurescotland.co.uk

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.

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

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

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).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Resourcing Delivery Team
• Email : HRResourcingDelivery@DEFRA.GOV.UK

Recruitment team

• Email : defrarecruitment.grs@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

Further information

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact 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: here

Attachments

APHA Information Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1698kB)