Port Health Officer

Full Vacancy Description

Job description                  Port Health Officer

Purpose of Post

To undertake Port Health duties as they pertain to applying professional and technical expertise.

To work as one of the team of Port Health Officers, Senior Port Health Technical Officers and Port Health Technical, Officers and Official Veterinarians within the Port Health Services, in the provisions of an effective, efficient, and responsive Port Health Service, using the full range of IS available.

To act, advise on and where appropriate, take appropriate and proportionate enforcement action across the full range of Port health issues, planning and undertaking appropriate inspections, other forms of intervention and reactive casework in key areas of the current Port Health Service Business Plan.

To lead and represent the Port Health Service in a specialist area of expertise within the Port Health discipline by keeping abreast of legislation, European and central Government initiatives and professional best practice; leading on the development of policies and procedures in this area and being responsible for their development and execution within the framework of the Port Health Service Business Plan.

Main Duties & Responsibilities

To be responsible for the implementation of biosecurity controls for Products of Non­ Animal Origin (NAOs), fish and fishery products (Products of Animal Origin), Illegal Unregulated and Unreported fish controls, Organics and Plastics, and accountable for taking the decision on the outcome of those controls.

To supervise internal and external stakeholders operating at the Border Control Posts, for which the Port Health Officers are responsible.

To enforce legislation aimed at preventing the importation of unfit, unsound, unwholesome, and other non-compliant consignments of food or feed.

To contribute towards the UK National Monitoring plan by developing an annual sampling programme for Products of Non-Animal Origin. Including assisting in the development of the wider Port Health Sampling Policy for food and feed, incorporating as required the relevant priorities that the Food Standards Agency might establish.

As required, to contribute to the management and implementation of the Port Health QMS Quality System as it affects the Service, ensuring continuous improvement and compliance with ISO principles.

To participate in and contribute to government and other non-governmental/ professional body consultations to influence both future guidance and legislation by promoting LPHA's position, views, and ethos. Subsequently to evaluate the impact of proposed and new legislation on the Division, ensure that associated processes are understood, and their consequences are fully disseminated, to staff and other relevant organisations within Division's area. 

To contribute to the development and maintenance of effective systems of service delivery for the Service based upon: -

a.         Departmental and Port Health Service Business Plans

b.         Port Health Food and Feed Enforcement Service Plan.

c.         Port Health Sampling Plan

d.         meeting EU set inspection targets for Imported Food Products of Animal Origin and Products Not of Animal Origin.

e.         Adhering to the national FSA Food Law Code of Practice and Sampling Guidance; and

f.          Port Health International, National, London & Local priorities.

To develop new ideas and lead initiatives for the Port Health service, to improve efficiencies and the ability to meet regulatory standards, incorporating as necessary best practices in other authorities.

To enforce all other relevant Port Health legislation such as waste disposal from ships and port areas including houseboat by-laws, refuse disposal from ships and port areas including International Catering Waste, and Rabies control measures.

To liaise with National stakeholders: berth operators, importers, exporters, clearing agents, shipping companies, shipping agents, H. M. Revenue and Customs, UK Border Force, Animal & Plant Health Agency, other Central Government departments/agencies, Local Authorities; and International stakeholders: The EU Commission, other EU Member States Authorities, Third Country Authorities and Third Country exporters; concerning all imported food/feed controls and port health related matters.

To carry out administrative requirements including the operation of Information Management Systems commensurate with the activity of the post holder, which will include daily use of PHILIS, IPAFFS, FSS, M3 and port inventory systems. To utilise all available technology to complete assigned tasks. Where support staff services are used, the post holder will be responsible for the accuracy of information recorded.

To carry out educational tasks relating to the role's activities through presentations, lectures and training of visiting students, other professionals, The post holder will also be expected to organise events where such instruction is provided and give Health and Safety at Work advice regarding safe working practices to visitors at the relevant location.

To undertake all enforcement work by identifying and adopting the most appropriate regulatory response(s) based on the current M&CP PH&PP Enforcement Policy including.

a)         The drafting and communication of warning letters.

b)         The drafting and service of enforcement notices.

c)         The rejection of imported consignments, closure of premises and/or processes which pose serious risks to safety, health to the public and/or the environment.

d)         The collection of evidence for potential legal proceedings.

e)         Where necessary referring matters upwards where there are serious reputational issues or otherwise complex matters to be taken account of.

To present, lecture and instruct whenever necessary relevant stakeholders in changes of Legislation, Official Guidance and/or operative systems.

To instruct, oversee, train, and monitor technical and support staff in the execution of all relevant Port Health duties, notably import controls including sampling, to ensure that regulatory action is consistent and appropriate.

To actively participate, at the request of the Competent Authority, in the consultation process, of new legislation and other legislative initiatives.

To represent the Council and the UK when attending national and international meetings as responsible for the implementation of the relevant official controls.

To act as an Official Fish Inspector and Inspecting Officer for all controls related to Fishery products and High-risk foods of Non-Animal Origin as specified in European and UK legislation and official guidance. To develop local sampling programmes controlling imported foodstuffs not subject to mandatory controls and monitor performance of the team.

To enforce international, European, and national public health legislation aimed at controlling infectious disease in premises, aboard ships (merchant and cruise vessels) and aircraft in the district, and to advise seafarers on the prevention of the spread of disease, initiating any necessary control measures, and issuing appropriate Ship Sanitation certificates as required.

To enforce or support in enforcing legislation regarding food hygiene and food standards in specified registered food premises in the LPHA district.

To enforce shellfish hygiene legislation to control shellfish harvested in areas under the LPHA jurisdiction and on a contractual basis for other local authorities. The work entails sampling shellfish for bio-toxin analysis and classification from shore locations and the Authority's launches, issuing Movement Control Documents etc.

To enforce environmental pollution controls at Installations authorised by LPHA under the Environmental Permitting Regulations.

To enforce the Environmental Protection Act, and other legislation aimed at preventing nuisances from vessels and shore-based premises including undertaking surveillance of potential nuisances utilising appropriate monitoring techniques.

To assist and advise the Central Competent Authorities in surveillance sampling initiatives of imported food and feed.

To advise food business operators and undertake export certification, as authorised Official Inspectors, on International Trade of fish and fishery products subject to restrictions, either to Third Countries or to other Member States.

To undertake any other feed or food duty as deemed competent.

Actively seek to implement the Council's Occupational Health and Safety Policy in relation to the duties of the post, and at all times give due regard to the health and safety of both themselves and others when carrying out their duties.

Actively seek to implement the Council's Equal Opportunity Policy and the objective to promote equality of opportunity in relation to the duties of the post.

To undertake any other duties that may reasonably requested appropriate to the grade.

Person Specification

Professional Qualifications/ Relevant Education & Training

Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in Environmental Health which is approved by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. (A)

Registered with the EHO Registration Board (EHORB) so as to be able to practice professionally as an Environmental Health Officer in the UK. (A)

A Chartered member of the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health. (A)

Possess: -

A post-graduate qualification relevant to a functional area of Port Health work such as Food Safety.

Qualification as an Official Fishery Inspector

A significant and demonstrable level of technical knowledge and experience as required at this level;

Extensive knowledge of any relevant national or international legislation, guidance, and industry good practice.

A thorough understanding of Food and Feed controls at a Border Control post.

A thorough understanding of the regulatory services normally covered by a Port Health authority and local authorities.

Experience in drafting and serving enforcement notices and recommending legal proceedings.

An understanding of relevant EU and National Public and Environmental Health legislation

Excellent written communication skills including letters, notices and presentation of data to a wide range of audiences within organisations and the general public.

Excellent oral communication & presentation skills with the ability to consult negotiate and persuade through the provision of advice and information to a wide variety of stakeholders including both business and the general public.

Possess good IT skills and ability to use and apply knowledge of IT systems effectively.

Experience Required

Previous experience as an Environmental Health Practitioner within a Port Health environment.

Experience of involvement and liaison with other professional institutions and outside bodies - e.g. DEFRA, APHA, FSA, BRDO, BIS, BEIS, PHE, EA, CIEH.

Technical Skills & Knowledge

Desirable to have.

Experience in supervision of professional, technical and/or administrative staff.

Ideally experience as an Official Fish Inspector.

Ideally qualification and experience as a Food Competent Certifying officer for Fishery Products - OCQ(CO).

Experience of Port Inventory systems such as Destin8 or CNS Compass.

Experience with IPAFFS and PHILIS.

Experience of working in a Port Health environment.

Experience of working in an Environmental Health environment.

Other Relevant Information

In the event of an urgent Port Health incident, and / or workload requirement, work outside normal working hours is required depending on the nature of the incident and subject to management approval.

Occasional duties outside of office hours required subject to local arrangement.

Must possess a current full UK Driving Licence and have a car available to carry out the duties of the post.