Plant Health Inspector - Winter (2908)

Job summary

Scotland is recognised internationally as a world leader in seed potato production, thanks to the exceptionally high health status of crops grown here. Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) plays a vital role in maintaining these standards and is the body responsible for the certification of seed potato crops in Scotland.

An opportunity has arisen within SASA, for two temporary Plant Health Inspectors to work in the Grampian (Moray, Banffshire, Aberdeenshire) area. SASA is a division of the Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Delivery Directorate (ARDD) and provides expert scientific advice and services to the Agriculture and Rural Economy (ARE) Directorate and the wider Scottish Government on matters relating to crops and the environment.

Working as part of a team of inspectors, you will support Scotland’s seed potato industry by inspecting seed potato consignments and collecting soil samples from fields intended for seed potato production, specifically for the detection of potato cyst nematode. These seasonal roles generally operate between September and May, with work allocated by local area offices in line with customer demand for tuber inspection and soil sampling. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to Scotland’s agricultural success while gaining hands-on experience in plant health and regulatory inspection.

Full, comprehensive training will be given to successful candidates in the identification of potato tuber diseases, tuber inspections and soil sampling method.

Daily rate of £129.82 per day (travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed where appropriate).

Job description

• Support area office travelling between farms to inspect seed potato consignments for a number of different growers.
• Identify faults in the crops and record results of inspection in accordance with best practice.
• Support office travelling between farms drawing soil for the purposes of potato cyst nematode detection.

Person specification

QualificationsValid driving licence which enables you to drive in the UK - Please confirm in your CV/Personal Statement that you hold this qualification. Success profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Behaviours:

• Making effective decisions – Level 2
• Communicating and influencing – Level 2
• Working together - Level 2
• Developing self and others - Level 2

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

• 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.If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an in person interview and job simulation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 23 February 2026 however this may be subject to change.

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.

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.

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.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 : Ryan Chapman
• Email : Ryan.Chapman@sasa.gov.scot

Recruitment team

• Email : scottishgovernmentrecruitment@gov.scot