Animal Health Officer Dover

APHA is a brilliant place to work where our people feel valued, have a voice and can be their authentic selves. We value difference and diversity, not only because we believe it is the right thing to do, but because it will help us be more innovative and make better decisions.

Are you passionate about working with animals and care for their welfare?

Are you caring, conscientious and an excellent team worker?

Do you enjoy working outside?

If so, we would like to hear from you!

We’re seeking four motivated Portal Officer Animal Health Officer (AHO) to join our technical delivery team. In this role, you’ll play a crucial part in safeguarding Animal Health and welfare during transport, ensuring public health, and facilitating compliant International Trade.

You’ll be based primarily in the Ports of Dover and Coquelles (France), also undertaking activities in the Ports of Newhaven, Harwich, and Calais (France).

Our team is actively engaged in high-profile work, including tackling the illegal trade in pets, conducting inspections on commercial cat and dog imports under the Approved Importer Scheme.

As a Portal Animal Health Officer, your key responsibilities will include:

Conducting import controls on live animals as per UK legislation, including documentary, identity, and physical checks. Inspecting animals, records, and vehicles for compliance and taking appropriate regulatory action when necessary. Engaging with importers and transporters to facilitate import checks. Managing follow-up actions when non-compliance is detected to ensure animal welfare and UK biosecurity, including supporting investigations of potential illegal activities. Documenting the assessment, decision, and outcome of inspections in detailed reports. Collaborating closely with commercial carriers and various regulatory bodies such as His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, UK Border Force, Port Health and Local Authorities Assisting in the response to exotic notifiable disease outbreaks, such as Avian Influenza and Bluetongue, which may involve working at various locations and in various outbreak roles.

In this exciting role:

You’ll operate in shifts, accommodating our core hours from 0830 to 2200 on weekdays. Operational needs and live animal import schedules necessitate a degree of flexibility. Weekend duties are a regular part of the job, with activities planned and communicated in advance. The position is largely outdoors, requiring you to spend extended periods at ports in all types of weather. As a regulatory role, expect to engage in report writing and evidence gathering, requiring the use of computers, smart phone applications and notebooks. Regular travel to Coquelles, France for Eurotunnel border controls is integral to the role. Be prepared for occasional delays in return journeys due to cancellations. The role demands on-site work; hybrid home working is not an option. Occasionally, overnight stays may be required for meetings and training.