Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location Dingwall, Paisley, Perth About the job Job summary Are you interested in becoming a Government Veterinarian and playing a key role to ensure food safety, protect public health and support the Scotland's regulatory standards? Food Standards Scotland (FSS) is the public sector food body for Scotland, with a broad remit covering all aspects of the food chain that impact public health. Our primary goal is to protect consumers from food safety risks and promote healthy eating. As Scotlands leading authority on food safety, standards, and healthy eating, we use data and evidence to provide assurance and advice that builds consumer confidence and improves public health. These posts are based in Dingwall, Perth and Paisley (all in Scotland). They will sit within the Operational Delivery Division of FSS. The (Trainee) Official Veterinarian (TOV/OV) serves as the technical lead for field teams in all aspects related to verification of the Food Business Operators (FBO) compliance with all relevant legislation as stated in the FSS Scottish Manual for Official Controls (SMOC). The TOV/OV delivers Official Controls related to products of animal origin (POAO) in FSS approved premises such as red and white meat slaughterhouses, cutting plants and game handling establishments, ensuring that meat produced from healthy animals is safe for human consumption. The Trainee OV will be provided with all support and training required, including RCVS-mandated VetGDP if applicable, via a 1:1 mentoring model. Once signed off for deployment, the OV will continue to have immediate access to both operational and technical-related support, joining highly experienced, skilled and welcoming vet-led teams. Job description Conduct ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections of animals and make decisions regarding their fitness for slaughter, with a focus on identifying any welfare issues and reporting them to the relevant authorities. Collect and communicate inspection results, and assess food chain information, live animals, and meat to ensure compliance with relevant regulations. Verify the FBOs HACCP (Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points)-based food safety management systems to ensure they meet required standards. Implement risk-based, fair, and proportionate enforcement actions, including gathering best evidence, when controls indicate FBO non-compliance with relevant legal requirements or third country specifications. Provide technical leadership to plant inspection teams, offering advice, coaching, and support while ensuring compliance with technical standards. Build and manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders to ensure effective communication and collaboration. Support the implementation of FSS health and safety policies at the plant level to ensure a safe working environment. Person specification Qualifications Veterinary Degree and Membership or Fellowship of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS). Note: Temporary Registration with RCVS is allowed, with minimum level 6 IELTS and up to a max of 18 months to achieve full MRCVS. Success Profile Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on. Technical / Professional Skills: A good understanding of Veterinary Public health. A good understanding of livestock pathology and conditions which may impact consumers. Behaviours: Working together Level 3 Communicating and Influencing Level 3 Leadership Level 3 Managing a quality service Level 3 Benefits Alongside your salary of £36,944, Scottish Government contributes £10,702 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. Learning and development tailored to your role An environment with flexible working options A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Things you need to know Selection process details Apply online, providing a CV and Supporting Statement (of no more than 750 words) which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above. If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an interview and presentation. Assessments are scheduled for w/c 3 February 2025, however this may be subject to change. Want to learn more? Whilst the advert provides the essential details, we will also be holding two virtual drop-in sessions - Overview of FSS Trainee OV application and selection process. These sessions will be an opportunity to ask questions related to the job and the application process. To join the session on Friday, 17 January 2025 at 12:00 (GMT), click here For any additional queries or if you experience technical issues joining the above drop-in session, please contact Elena McWatt at elena.mcwattfss.scot To join the session on Friday, 24 January 2025 at 19:00 (GMT), click here If you experience technical issues joining the above drop-in session, please contact Arabella White at arabella.whitefss.scot Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. 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) (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants. We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Elena McWatt Email : elena.mcwattfss.scot Recruitment team Email : scottishgovernmentrecruitmentgov.scot Apply at advertiser's site Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail