Principal Port Health Officer

Our Border Control Facility on the Sevington site, near junction 10A of the M20 provides the customs and transit checks required for hauliers following Brexit.

The services at the Border Control Facility are being delivered through functional teams covering 24 hour and 7 day week pattern of operation and we are looking for an officer to manage assigned staff in the service.

You will have extensive experience in food control as you will be responsible for acting as lead signatory for fishery products and composite goods along with:

Conducting Official Controls including carrying out checks on imports of products of animal origin and high risk food not of animal origin.
Undertaking checks of organic food, illegal unreported and unregulated fishing, animal composites and other relevant controlled goods.
Managing assigned staff within the service and take lead responsibility for aspects of Border Control Post work.

To make an effective contribution to the development and achievement of the Ashford Border BCP health protection and business objectives it is essential that you have MSc, Degree or Diploma in Environmental Health and Certificate of Registration with the Environmental Health Registration Board EHRB (CIEH).

In addition you will have extensive enforcement experience covering a wide range of food areas including inspection of premises, monitoring and food sampling plus prosecution experience, along with experience in:

Operational and/or technical lead role within a food related service
Managing of people &/or and resources including performance management

As an employee of Ashford Borough Council you will have the opportunity to work with other environmental health professionals across the organisation to broaden your experience.

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Karis Valli on .

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Candidates who do not meet all the essential criteria for the role they are applying for will not be shortlisted. When completing your application, ensure you clearly demonstrate how you meet each of the essential requirements. Applications that only address desirable criteria, or do not provide sufficient evidence against the essential criteria, will not progress to the next stage.

We can offer VISA certificates of sponsorship for this role. Please contact for more information.

When Applying: Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email

Competitive remuneration package - We offer an excellent salary linked pension scheme, generous annual leave with flexi time, free life insurance, supportive relocation package and opportunities for training and development.

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide

We welcome applications form the Armed Forces Community

When submitting an application form - Please ensure that you have received confirmation of a submitted application once completed. For any assistance in completing the application form, please email

Ashford Borough Council recognises the need to ensure the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults when they come into contact with the services we provide

We welcome applications form the Armed Forces Community