Trainee Meat Hygiene Inspector

Are you passionate about protecting public health and animal welfare, ensuring the food we eat is safe and animals are treated humanely?

Food Standard Scotland (FSS) was established by the Food (Scotland) Act 2015 as a non-ministerial office, part of the Scottish Administration, alongside, but separate from, the Scottish Government.

FSS has a wide and diverse remit which covers all aspects of the food chain which can impact on public health - aiming to protect consumers from food safety risks and promote healthy eating. Our mission is to be Scotland's leading authority on food safety, standards and healthy eating; using data and evidence to provide assurance and advice that inspires consumer confidence and improves public health.

FSS are looking to recruit Trainee Meat Hygiene Inspectors to deliver Official Controls in slaughterhouses across Scotland, ensuring animals are slaughtered humanely and the meat produced is fit for human consumption.

The Meat Hygiene Inspector role is one of the key front-line operational roles within FSS. You will be fully trained in all aspects of Meat Inspection, undergoing a comprehensive training programme that involves a mix of theoretical and practical training resulting in gaining the Royal Society for Public Health Diploma in Meat Inspection. You will be fully supported during the 6-month training period by a dedicated assessor as well as in plant mentors to guide you through the practical elements.

This role is on fixed term basis for the first 9 months. Upon successful completion of probation and the required qualification, the staff will be moved into a permanent contract at B1 level (£32,140).

Once qualified you will work as part of an inspection team at your assigned base plant. You will work under an Official Veterinarian (OV) who will provide technical support and guidance, and be line managed by a Field Operations Coordinator (FOC) who will provide managerial support.

Two of the posts are for 30 hours per week (Salary pro rata for Dingwall and Grantown-on-Spey) while the other three are 37 hours per week. Two of the 37 hour roles will be a 4 day week with a rotating rest day.

Please note the starting salary above for this post is now £31,177 per annum.

Responsibilities

• Post mortem inspection of the carcase and offal of slaughtered food animals to determine their fitness for human consumption. This involves visual inspection, making cuts into organs and palpation of organs.


• Monitoring the welfare of animals at the point of slaughter, ensuring Food Business Operators (FBO) are complying with relevant welfare legislation.


• Carrying out hygiene patrols and inspections in your base plant and any co-located cutting plant ensuring FBO staff are complying with hygiene legislation.


• Carrying out sampling for medicinal residues on behalf of the Veterinary Medicines Directorate as well as other sampling schemes.


• Recording and reporting any non-compliances to the OV, collation and recording of inspection results and input onto FSS computer systems.


• Communicating with and fostering positive working relationships with the FBO to manage and resolve non-compliances.
  
  No specific qualifications required for this post; however, you must be a determined and committed individual with a strong desire to learn and develop new skills. The training course is intense, but you will be supported all the way through and beyond qualification.


A full, valid UK driving licence and your own vehicle or to be able to demonstrate the ability to travel to work by other means., 1. Established organisational skills, adaptable and able to deliver to agreed timescales and deadlines.
2. Excellent verbal and written communication skills and the ability to communicate with a wide range of people
3. Ability to work well as part of a team as well as independently with minimum supervision to achieve objectives.
4. Demonstrating a flexible approach to work and a willingness to adapt to change.