About the role
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.
About us
We value our employees and are committed to ensuring that they enjoy a fulfilling and rewarding career with us. We understand that a happy and motivated workforce is essential for the success of our organisation. That is why we offer a wide range of employee benefits to enhance your work‑life balance, financial wellbeing, health, and professional development.
Here’s a comprehensive overview of the fantastic benefits we provide:
* 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.
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Statement
At the London Borough of Hillingdon, we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, and equitable workplace. This commitment means that all employees, job applicants and others who work for us will be treated fairly.
The aim is for our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and Hillingdon residents so we welcome applicants from a wide variety of backgrounds. We strive to ensure that our recruitment process is free from discrimination and bias, and we are dedicated to providing reasonable adjustments to applicants with disabilities.
Join us in building a workplace where everyone feels respected, able to give their best and be themselves at work, whilst contributing meaningfully to our organisation’s success.
Recruitment Information
Hillingdon Council operates a guaranteed interview scheme for candidates with disabilities that meet the essential criteria for the role and wish to be considered under this scheme. We believe in the option to choose, so candidates declaring a disability have the choice to opt in for consideration under this scheme, on a ‘per application’ basis.
We are committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable groups and expect all staff and volunteers to share this commitment.
Some posts are subject to The Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2019 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.
In addition to verifying Right to Work in the UK and a new starter health questionnaire, the post is subject to the following pre‑employment screening:
* Basic DBS Check
* 3 years of Referencing
Please note: Priority will be given to those at risk of redundancy within Hillingdon Council. Current employees who are part of the redeployment pool must meet the essential criteria for shortlisting to be prioritised.
It may be necessary due to a high volume of applications to close this role early. We therefore recommend you apply as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
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