Port Health Officer

Port Health Officer

£34,210 - £41,881

When most people think of Cornwall they think of the beaches and its 422 miles of spectacular coastline, it is most certainly, a unique place.  Which is exactly what can be said for the nature of the work conducted by the Port Health Team, part of Cornwall Council’s Public Protection service.

Falmouth is the first major port on the UKs western approach, and the worlds third deepest natural harbour.  The team are responsible for overseeing the health status of the hundreds of vessels that visit Cornwall’s waters each year, from all over the world.

These same waters are also home to approximately 40 classified shellfish beds, a mixture of private and public interests, and a historic conserved sail fishery.  The team also regulate depuration plants, sign off Export Health Certifications, inspect fishing vessels for food hygiene, and even monitor for invasive species such as mosquitos.

The whole of Cornwall is covered by 4.75 FTE. With such a small team covering such a large geographical area and wide portfolio of work, it is important that any person coming into this team is a hardworking, knowledgeable and an extremely flexible team player.  You will join a Out of Hours rota, 1 week in every 5 on call.  Foreign travel is required from time to time so you should have a valid UK passport, and be comfortable flying.

The work can be extremely rewarding, on a flat calm day, in the summer sunshine performing shellfish controls in one the counties most beautiful locations, you would have to agree there are few better jobs. However, you will need to be able to take the rough with the smooth, in deep mid- winter, hauling chain in rough seas with freezing cold feet and hands is quite a different prospect.  You will also need a head for hights, climbing up the side of an oil tanker sitting high in the water at sea, on a ladder made of rope and wood, this job is not for everyone, is it for you?

If so, and you are an experienced Environmental Health Practitioner then we want to hear from you.  For an informal discussion, contact Timothy Bage, Port Health Team Manager on 01872 323090.

Additional Information

• Interview Dates: 2 June 2021
• External Closing Date: 21 May 2021
• Advertised Salary Range: £34,210 - £41,881
• Job Type/Contract Type: Permanent
• Hours per week: 37