The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a recruitment campaign for veterinary inspectors (VIs) throughout Northern Ireland to join its team of over 150 vets in the Veterinary Service Animal Health Group.
The main purpose of a veterinary inspector, the candidate information booklet outlines, is the implementation of policy in respect of epizootic disease, enzootic disease, animal welfare, public health, import controls, international trade and zoonotic disease.
The key objectives for the role include delivering programmes and official controls in Northern Ireland which prevent, detect and eradicate epizootic disease, controlling and eradicating enzootic disease, promoting, protecting and maintaining acceptable animal welfare standards and protecting public health and ensuring food safety of animal products (on behalf of the Food Standards Agency).
Others include delivering import controls on animals and animal products, facilitating and regulating international trade through export health controls and certification and preventing, detecting and controlling zoonotic disease.
Eligibility
Applicants must, by the closing date for applications:
- Be a Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS/FRCVS) OR 1b. Be eligible to seek membership of the RCVS*
- AND 2. Have at least one year’s cumulative experience working with farmed animals or in veterinary public health – This experience can be gained before graduation.
The successful candidates will be based at one of its variety of locations throughout Northern Ireland, including field offices, meat plants and ports (both sea and air).
Areas include Belfast, Derry/Londonderry, Craigavon, Coleraine, Omagh and Strabane, Newry and Banbridge, Ballymena, Cookstown and Magherafelt, Dungannon and Enniskillen.
Salary
Salary will be within the range of £39,748 – £42,639 (under review), within which pay progression will be performance-related, and vacancies are for 37 hours net.
A candidate’s starting salary will be at the minimum of the scale, and pay on promotion / re-grading arrangements will apply to existing civil servants appointed through this competition, the listing states.
In addition to public and privilege holidays, currently 12 days, the annual leave allowance will be 25 days, rising to 30 days after five years’ of service.
Confirmation of appointment will be dependent upon the satisfactory completion of a probationary period of 1 year.
How to apply
Complete and submit your application form – which you can do so online via this link – no later than 12:00 noon (UK time) on Friday, May 26th, 2023.
You can direct all queries to HRConnect by email: [email protected]
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