Drop In Session
Whilst the advert and accompanying candidate pack provide the essential detail, APHA will be holding a remote drop-in session whilst the advert is live. This session will be an opportunity to ask questions related to the job and the application process.

The drop-in session for this campaign will be held on: May 4th and May 11th at 11am.

Wednesday 4th May 2022 11:00am - 12:00am
Wednesday 11th May 2022 11:00am - 12:00am

For any additional queries, or for those unable to attend the drop-in session please raise enquiries via RECRUITMENT.SDD@apha.gov.uk

Please click here to visit APHA's Veterinary Careers website for further information.

The SVI role involves a wide range of work including, but not limited to, the following:

• Responding to incidents and outbreaks of animal notifiable diseases

• Investigating animal diseases in farm livestock by;
- undertaking on-farm and field investigations
- examining and inspecting farmed animals to support differential diagnosis of disease
- conducting post mortem examinations when appropriate
- collecting and submitting appropriate samples for laboratory testing
- collecting and interpreting relevant data to support decisions
- reporting findings and recommendations

• Welfare Investigations, both reactive and surveillance work. Including the welfare of farm animals during transport, at time of killing and when on agricultural holdings
• Inspection, Approval and Audit of premises at a range of settings, from zoos to pet food processing plants, and many other locations
• Ensuring compliance, with statutory standards, of animal health and welfare
• Building collaborative relationships with a range of valuable partners, including local authorities, industry representatives and non-APHA veterinary surgeons
• A reasonable amount of duty and out-of-hours rotas

Vacancies are currently available in Aston Down, Ayr, Bakewell, Bury St-Edmunds, Caernarfon, Carmarthen, Exeter, Horley, Cornwall, Worcester, Inverurie, Leicester/Lincoln, Llandrindod Wells, Shrewsbury, Stafford, Starcross, Devon, Truro, Thirsk/York. We encourage you to apply as vacancies will be filled using the reserve list from this campaign. All posts will be offered in merit order based on location and business need.

You will be nominally aligned within a delivery area, which will have a designated APHA office. As part of the role you will be expected to regularly travel and carry out the duties outlined above. 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.

Currently APHA have adopted a blended approach to working, allowing for a mix of some home working and office attendance.

We are looking for candidates who;

• are able to engage with customers and stakeholders confidentially and professionally
• have some experience of working in teams of various skills and disciplines
• are confident with responsibility in the face of challenge and can adapt to new situations flexibly
• are able to produce reports to communicate veterinary knowledge
• are comfortable with excellent record keeping and understand the importance of audits and processes that maintain quality outputs
• have some practical experience in veterinary work, preferably including the handling of large animals, and, proficiency with routine techniques and skills which will enable you to develop as a State Veterinarian

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.

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

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

Minimum of Bachelor of Veterinary Science or equivalent

A Member or Fellow of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.

Must have demonstrable skills in written and spoken English to enable effective communication about veterinary topics with customers and colleagues and meet one of the following:
• have undertaken undergraduate veterinary training in English;
or
• having a sufficient command of spoken and written English to effectively perform the role being undertaken by a public sector worker in a customer-facing role
or
• have achieved the following scores in the academic international English Language Testing System (IELTS) or equivalent in a single sitting within 24 months at time of application – Overall 7, Speaking 7, Listening 7, Reading 7, Writing 7.

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:

• Understanding of notifiable exotic disease in the UK.
• Welfare issues in UK agriculture.
• Understanding of the Control of TB in England.
• Veterinary Knowledge.