JOB SUMMARY

Shape the future of agriculture and animal welfare in Scotland! The Scottish Government’s Agriculture and Rural Economy Directorate (ARE) is seeking passionate and skilled individuals to join their team as Poultry Officers. With opportunities to work full-time or part-time, you’ll play a vital role in ensuring safe food production, preventing disease, and upholding the highest welfare standards across Scotland. Bring your organisational skills and build meaningful connections with diverse stakeholders in this rewarding and impactful role!
The Scottish Government’s ARE Directorate is offering specialist opportunities within the Animal Health and Welfare Division’s Poultry Branch. These roles provide a sensible blend of on-site work with livestock (indoor and outdoor) and hybrid office/home-based responsibilities. From assessing livestock welfare and approving housing to conducting quality tests, audits, and sample collection, this position is your chance to make a tangible impact in ensuring the highest standards of welfare and food safety. Step into this varied and rewarding role and be a key player in Scotland’s agricultural excellence.
These roles come with the responsibility of managing caseloads across Scotland, each officer focusing on their own designated geographical area while also supporting other regions, including Scotland’s islands, as needed. A readiness to travel, including overnight stays, is essential. The position includes a comprehensive 8-12 week, full-time training programme in Edinburgh, setting you up for success. Upon completion, the part-time post will transition to 0.5 FTE.

JOB DESCRIPTION

• Enforce Scottish legislative standards at egg producers, egg packing centres, wholesalers/importers, chick hatcheries, poultry meat producers, pullet rearers and breeding establishments.
• Process registration applications and conduct routine inspections at various poultry-related premises.
• Assess poultry production units (stocked and unstocked) against legislative standards.
• Analyse, interpret, and act upon evidence in challenging and unpredictable situations.
• Liaise with local authorities, Animal Health Plant Agency, internal area ofices and SG Animal Health & Welfare colleagues.
• Provide evidence-based guidance to the industry and gather appropriate market intelligence.
• Collect regulated samples from businesses, ensuring attention to detail and adherence to detailed guidance.

QUALIFICATIONS

You must hold a recognised Diploma in Agriculture or Poultry.
You should also hold an Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate. If you do not hold this qualification, you will be expected to work towards attaining it if successful.
Valid driving licence which enables you to drive in the UK

PROFESSIONAL / TECHNICAL SKILLS:

• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the UK poultry industry, including current challenges posed by disease risks, consumer/retailer preferences and bird welfare.

EXPERIENCE

• Previous practical work experience within the UK agricultural or poultry sector.

QUALIFICATIONS

You must hold a recognised Diploma in Agriculture or Poultry.
You should also hold an Intermediate Food Hygiene Certificate. If you do not hold this qualification, you will be expected to work towards attaining it if successful.
Valid driving licence which enables you to drive in the UK

TECHNICAL SKILLS

We’ll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the UK poultry industry, including current challenges posed by disease risks, consumer/retailer preferences and bird welfare.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements

Operational Delivery