Technical Officer

The London Borough of Hillingdon is home to London Heathrow, the UK’s busiest airport for passenger and cargo movements. Based at the Cargo Terminal, you will play an essential role in ensuring that all statutory controls of food and feed are carried out to protect the health of the UK.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a Technical Officer to join our Imported Food Team at London Heathrow Airport. You will be working alongside Official Veterinarians and Environmental Health Officers, ensuring that the highest standards are maintained in relation to the importation of food and feed.

Your role will be to protect public and animal health at the border. On a day-to-day basis, you will be examining consignments containing a variety of foodstuffs to verify that they comply with import controls, in order to keep our borders safe.

About you

Experience of providing good customer care will be essential, as you will be expected to provide advice and information to service users, other local authorities, and government departments such as the Food Standards Agency.

We are looking for an individual who can hit the ground running, so a background in food law enforcement and knowledge of imported food controls would be advantageous.

Training and working hours

Whilst you complete your training period (approximately 3 months), you will work 36 hours each week, Monday to Friday.

Once training is completed, you will move onto one of the shift teams and receive the associated shift allowance (14%).

There are two shift teams, working the following pattern over a two-week period:

 Standard shift pattern

Week 1:

• Monday & Tuesday: 08:00 – 19:00 (10.5 hours with 30-minute break)

• Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: OFF

• Saturday: 08:00 – 18:30 (10 hours)

• Sunday: 08:00 – 18:00 (9.5 hours)

Week 2:

• Monday & Tuesday: OFF

• Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 08:00 – 19:00 (10.5 hours)

• Saturday & Sunday: OFF

Evening shift (every 3rd or 4th rotation)

Week 1:

• Monday & Tuesday: 11:30 – 22:30 (10.5 hours)

• Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: OFF

• Saturday: 12:00 – 22:30 (10 hours)

• Sunday: 12:30 – 22:30 (9 hours)

Week 2:

• Monday & Tuesday: OFF

• Wednesday, Thursday & Friday: 11:30 – 22:30 (10.5 hours)

• Saturday & Sunday: OFF

If you’re ready to take on a role that directly contributes to national food safety and public health, this opportunity offers an exceptional platform to develop your expertise within a world-class port health service.

• Flexible Working Hours – We recognise the importance of flexibility in managing your work and personal life.
• 36 Hour Week – Enjoy a standard 36-hour workweek for all full time staff. 
• Generous Holiday Entitlement – increasing with length of service (for non-casual roles).
• Hillingdon Sports & Leisure – Stay active and healthy with discounts at council owned leisure centres and swimming pools across the borough.
• Salary Sacrifice Schemes – option to join schemes for cycle purchase, electric vehicle leasing and additional voluntary pension contributions (subject to scheme rules).
• Cycle to Work – Eco-friendly commuting with our cycle purchase scheme. We also provide bicycle parking, lockers, and showers at the Civic Centre.
• Local Government Pension Scheme – access to Local Government Pension Scheme and membership to the Credit Union.
• Vivup Benefits – Access a variety of offers and discounts through our Vivup Benefits.
• Mental Health Support and Counselling Services – Our mental health first aiders are trained to identify, understand, and help employees experiencing mental health issues. Access free 24-hour confidential advice and counselling as well as a legal advice service for you and your immediate family.
• Travel Support – Make your daily commute easier with our season ticket loans and free car parking.  
  

• Basic DBS Check
• 3 years of Referencing