Would you enjoy a job working in the beautiful Scottish countryside this summer, gaining hands-on experience in plant health and strengthening your skills whilst making a positive contribution to Scottish agriculture?
The Scottish Government is seeking enthusiastic individuals to join the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture (SASA) teams in Inverness as temporary Plant Health Inspectors for summer 2026 to support the vital summer potato inspection programme across Scotland's key growing regions. These inspections play a vital role in protecting crop health, supporting farmers, and safeguarding Scotland's agricultural reputation.
This six-week temporary appointment includes a fully paid two-week practical training course (which you must pass) in June 2026, with travel, accommodation and subsistence costs covered. This is a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience outdoors while contributing directly to Scotland's agricultural resilience and biosecurity. Daily rate of pay is £111.59 per day
The course will start on 15 June 2026, with the exam taking place on 24 June 2026.
Potential for progression to senior inspector status exists subject to satisfactory performance and experience.
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 - Civil Service recruitment: candidate guide - before submitting an application.
Responsibilities
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
Making effective decisions - Level 1
Communicating and influencing - Level 1
Working together - Level 1
Developing self and others - Level 1
Find out more about Success Profiles.
How To Apply
Apply online, 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.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools can be used to support your application, but all statements and examples provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, and presented as your own) applications will be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.
Please see our candidate guidance for more information on acceptable and unacceptable uses of AI in recruitment.
If invited for further assessment, this will consist of an in-person Interview and, if successful, a 2 week training course (with exam).
Assessments are scheduled for w/c 30 March 2026 however this may be subject to change.
In the event of a high volume of applications, candidates will have their applications initially assessed against the communicating & influencing criteria above. Candidates who pass this initial sift will have their applications fully assessed against all criteria.
We will be holding an online information session for these roles, this will include tips and hints for the application process. You may want to wait to make your application after attending the session, but this is not essential.
The link for sign up will be updated here by Friday 27th February, please check back for the details.
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. Please note that this position is primarily outdoor-based. Duties include travelling to and working at multiple external sites in all seasonal weather conditions. Applicants must be willing and able to carry out these responsibilities as a condition of employment.
Security checks
Successful candidates must complete the Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS), before they can be appointed. BPSS is comprised of four main pre-employment checks – Identity, Right to work, Employment History and a Criminal Record check (unspent convictions).
You can find out more about BPSS on the UK Government website, and read about the Government Vetting Charter, or about all the different levels of security checks in our Candidate Guide.
Internal candidates may need to gain higher security clearance than they currently hold if successful in their application.
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.