Port Health Technical Assistant
Location: Sevington, Ashford
Contract: Temporary - 6 months, with potential to extend
Hours: Average 37 hours per week
Shifts: 6-week rolling rota, including days and nights
Salary: £29,430 - £32,169 + 14% shift allowance
Working Arrangement: Fully on-site
We are recruiting for a Technical Assistant to work within a busy Port Health operation based at a secure Border Control Post in Sevington.
The team is responsible for checking food and other controlled goods entering the UK. As a Technical Assistant, you'll support experienced Port Health Officers with inspections, paperwork and sampling to help make sure imported products are safe and meet the required standards.
What you'll be doing
- Helping with inspections of imported food and other controlled goods
- Checking paperwork and documents relating to incoming shipments
- Assisting with physical checks of products, packaging, labels and seals
- Taking, packaging and preparing food samples for laboratory testing
- Recording information accurately on computer systems and databases
- Keeping inspection and sampling equipment organised and stocked
- Helping with goods that don't meet the required standards
- Responding to enquiries from importers, agents and other organisations
- Providing general administrative support to the Port Health team
What we're looking for
Ideally, you'll have experience within food production, food safety, quality control, import/export, logistics, regulatory work or a similar environment.
You'll need:
- Good IT and administration skills
- Good written English and numeracy
- Strong attention to detail
- Good organisation and problem-solving skills
- The ability to follow procedures accurately
- Good communication and customer service skills
- The ability to manage a changing workload
- A relevant Level 3 qualification, 2 A Levels, NVQ Level 2 or equivalent
Previous experience within food safety, imports/exports or regulatory work would be particularly useful.
Working environment
This isn't a standard office-based position. The role combines administration with hands-on inspection work within a secure operational facility.
You'll need to be comfortable:
- Working a rotating shift pattern, including nights
- Working in temperature-controlled environments
- Carrying out physical tasks, including lifting and handling samples
- Handling or being around different food products and allergens
- Wearing hi-vis clothing, safety footwear and other PPE when required
- Following strict site, security and health & safety procedures
Uniform and required PPE will be provided, along with a laptop and headset.
The role is fully based on-site in Sevington with no hybrid working.
A driving licence is not essential.
This is a safety-critical position and a satisfactory DBS check will be required.
The opportunity
This is an initial 6-month temporary assignment with the possibility of extension.
It's a great opportunity for someone from a food, quality, logistics, import/export or regulatory background who wants to develop their experience within Port Health and move into a varied role combining practical work, compliance and administration.
