Portal Official Veterinarian – Southampton
Location: Southampton
Hours: Monday–Friday, 7:30am–4:00pm, with flexibility to participate in the 24/7 POV duty rota
Type: Permanent, Full-time
Start Date: 2nd November 2026
Salary: To be discussed
Eligibility: Must have the right to work in the UK
The Opportunity
HallMark Veterinary and Compliance Services is recruiting for an experienced and motivated Portal Official Veterinarian (POV) to join our team in Southampton.
This is an excellent opportunity for an Official Veterinarian looking to play a key role in supporting veterinary import controls, border biosecurity and the safe movement of Products of Animal Origin into the UK.
Working as part of a collaborative, multidisciplinary team, you will provide professional guidance on imported POAOs and support Border Control Officials and the Portal Health Team in preventing the entry of illegal or non-compliant products into the country.
About the Role
As a Portal Official Veterinarian, you will be responsible for implementing official border controls and making professional decisions on the outcome of those controls, while ensuring compliance with relevant UK legislation, regulatory requirements and official control standards.
Reporting to the Head of Imports or Area Veterinary Manager, you will work closely with colleagues, regulatory partners and stakeholders to deliver high-quality border controls, support biosecurity measures and maintain excellent customer care.
The role offers the opportunity to work within a dynamic operational environment and contribute to HallMark’s wider veterinary, food safety and animal health services.
Key Responsibilities:
Implement official border controls for Products of Animal Origin (POAOs) and take accountability for decisions arising from those controls.
Enforce legislation and legal requirements relating to POAOs for human consumption, animal by-products, derived products and germinal products.
Support enforcement action relating to non-compliant food and feed consignments.
Contribute to sampling programmes in line with the UK National Monitoring Plan and wider Port Health Sampling Plan.
Participate flexibly in the POV duty rota to ensure appropriate professional cover.
Maintain detailed knowledge of relevant UK and EU legislation, including DEFRA and FSA policies.
Support the training, supervision and monitoring of technical and support staff.
Contribute to the Port Health Quality Management System and continuous improvement activities.
Implement and support biosecurity measures at the border, including requirements relating to African Swine Fever.
Provide training and guidance on biosecurity requirements.
Monitor and adhere to cleaning and disinfection procedures during biosecurity controls.
Liaise effectively with stakeholders including Border Force, port officials, food business operators and members of the public.
Provide advice to food business operators and undertake export certification as an authorised Official Veterinarian, where applicable.
Ensure legislative requirements are met in relation to consignments, including monitoring re-exports, destructions and alternative uses for rejected consignments.
Maintain accurate records and complete relevant administrative and data-entry requirements.
Undertake enforcement work in line with the latest Enforcement Policy.
Carry out other duties as part of a multiskilled role, where required.
Qualifications & Skills
Essential:
Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Veterinary Medicine.
Membership of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (RCVS).
OCQ(V) – ES (Essential Skills), EX (Exports General) and PX (Products Exports) qualifications.
Good knowledge of the food industry and veterinary import controls.
Knowledge and experience of relevant legislation, health certification, drafting notices and enforcement.
Knowledge of international health regulations and infectious disease control.
Excellent communication skills, with a strong focus on ethical customer care.
Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, clients and regulatory partners.
Reliable and flexible approach to working hours, including willingness to travel and work unsocial hours.
Commitment to continuous improvement and professional development.
Desirable:
Previous experience working as a Portal Official Veterinarian at a Border Control Post.
Experience within an abattoir or meat-processing environment, including red or white meat.
Experience in export health certification.
Why Join HallMark
Join an established organisation supporting government and industry across Food Safety, Veterinary Public Health, Animal Health and Welfare, and Import and Export Controls.
Work in a varied and dynamic veterinary role with exposure to border controls, biosecurity and regulatory enforcement.
Supportive and collaborative working environment built around HallMark’s values of quality, collaboration, integrity and openness.
Opportunities to contribute to continuous improvement and professional development.
Opportunity to develop experience across a wider range of veterinary and official control services.
Apply Now
If you’re an experienced Official Veterinarian looking for a challenging and rewarding role within veterinary import controls and border health, we’d love to hear from you.
