Summer Plant Health Inspectors

Would you enjoy a job working in the beautiful Scottish countryside whilst making a positive contribution to Scottish agriculture?

An opportunity exists for a number of full time, temporary inspectors throughout the potato growing areas of Scotland for a period of approximately 4 weeks during July 2025.

Each summer plant health inspectors are employed by SASA to perform this task and work as part of small teams to inspect potato crops throughout Scotland. This year we are looking to employ inspectors in the following areas:

• Inverness/Highland
• Aberdeenshire/Kincardineshire
• Elgin/Moray
• Perth/Fife/Kinross
• Galashiels/Borders

Please indicate in your application which areas you would be willing to work in.

If successful, you will be required to attend, and pass, a practical two week training course near Gogarbank, Edinburgh which you will be paid for. The course will start on 16 June 2025, with the exam taking place on 25 June 2025. The course is fully paid at the advertised rate and all accommodation and Travel and Subsistence costs will also be covered.

Daily rate of £111.59 per day (travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed where appropriate). Potential for progression to senior inspector status exists subject to satisfactory performance and experience.

This is a Fixed Term Appointment for 6 weeks.

This role does NOT offer Visa Sponsorship, if you do not meet the UK Civil Service Nationality rules you should not apply for this role. Please refer to the Nationality requirements - Senior Civil Service recruitment: candidate guide - gov.scot before submitting an application.

• Inspect seed potato crops throughout the growing season to ensure that they meet requirements for disease and purity.
• Attend the annual seed potato inspector training course held at Gogarbank, Edinburgh and reach the required standard necessary to conduct inspections.
• Work as part of a small team inspecting seed potato crops, liaising with growers and recording the results of inspection in an accurate manner.

Success Profile

Success profiles are specific to each job and they include the mix of skills, experience and behaviours candidates will be assessed on.

Behaviours

1. Making effective decisions - Level 1
2. Communicating and influencing - Level 1
3. Working together - Level 1
4. Developing self and others - Level 1

You can find out more about Success Profiles Behaviours here Success Profiles

How to apply

Apply online before midnight 6 April 2025, providing a CV and Supporting Statement of no more than 750 words which provides evidence of how you meet the skills, experience and behaviours listed in the Success Profile above.

If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an Interview and, if successful, a 2 week training course (with exam).

Assessments are scheduled for w/c 21 April 2025 however this may be subject to change.

About us

The Scottish Government is the devolved government for Scotland. We have responsibility for a wide range of key policy areas including: education, health, the economy, justice, housing and transport. We offer rewarding careers and employ people across Scotland in a wide range of professions and roles.

Our staff are part of the UK Civil Service, working for Ministers and senior stakeholders to deliver vital public services which improve the lives of the people of Scotland.

We offer a supportive and inclusive working environment along with a wide range of employee benefits. Find out more about what we offer.

As part of the UK Civil Service, we uphold the Civil Service Nationality Rules.

Working pattern

Our standard hours are 35 hours per week, we offer a range of flexible and hybrid working options depending on the needs of the role. If you have specific questions about the role you are applying for, please contact us.

Equality statement

We are committed to equality and inclusion and we aim to recruit a diverse workforce that reflects the population of our nation.

Find out more about our commitment to diversity and how we offer and support recruitment adjustments for anyone who needs them.

Further information

Find out more about our organisation, what we offer staff members and how to apply on our Careers Website.

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