The benefits
Work-life balance
It’s important that you are able to balance an interesting and rewarding veterinary career with your personal life. APHA often offers flexibility around your start and finish times, or the days on which you work. There is the potential to work part-time, compressed hours, term-time only, work-partly from-home, or job share.
Making it work for you
With so many flexible options, most people can find a work schedule to suit their circumstances. Working within a team of 350 vets and 500 Animal Health Officers and scientists means that there’s plenty of flexibility available.
Time off
Annual leave starts at 25 days a year, rising to 30 after 5 years’ service, and time off is given for eight public holidays a year, plus a day to mark the King’s birthday.
Salary
A full explanation of Defra Civil Service grades and salaries below SCS can be found here: https://www.defrajobs.co.uk/workinghere/civil-service-grades-explained/
Rewards
We have a Staff Recognition Scheme, and our in-year awards reward exemplary work. At SEO grade we currently have a system that pays a financial award at two levels depending on your level of experience and competency in the role. This scheme is not part of the contractual rewards package.
Pension
The Civil Service Pension scheme is a very valuable part of your total reward package. Most of the pension value is paid by APHA. You will be given the chance to join one of two schemes. Alpha is a Defined Benefit pension scheme based on your career-average earnings. Partnership is a Defined Contribution pension scheme. Your pension will continue to provide valuable benefits for you and your family if you are too ill to continue to work or die before you retire.
Other benefits
We have various measures in place to assist with your physical and emotional health. Our focus is on early intervention and proactivity in addressing health issues. However should you not be well enough to attend work occupational sick pay, increasing by length of service, is available.
Paid leave for other situations including family-related leave, volunteering and reservists as well as a variety of different interest- free loans to help with commuting are also available.