Job Description

This opportunity is only open to internal Scottish Government applicants who are currently 'Priority Movers'. Applications from individuals not currently on the Priority Mover list will be rejected and not considered.

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

Food Standards Scotland (FSS) are looking to recruit Trainee Meat Hygiene Inspectors to work in abattoirs 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 7 month training period by a dedicated assessor as well as in plant mentors to guide you through the practical elements.

The core work for the Meat Hygiene Inspector is the delivery of Official Controls related to meat production in Red meat slaughterhouses within Scotland.

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.

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.

Working pattern

This role is a permanent level transfer position.

How to Apply

Applications for this position will only be accepted from substantive A4 employees.

Please submit a statement outlining your suitability for the role, relevant skills and experience, and what you would bring to the team (maximum 500 words).

Selection Process

All candidates will be invited to an informal discussion with the Hiring Manager.

Informal discussion dates tbc.

Further Information

If you have specific questions about the role, please contact greg.bowie@fss.scot

Read our Candidate Guide for further information on our recruitment and application processes.