Now hiring: Official Veterinarians

Food Standards Scotland plays a vital role in protecting Scotland’s food chain, and our Official Veterinarians are central to that mission.

Working at the frontline of primary meat production, you help ensure that food entering the supply chain is safe, traceable and produced to the highest standards.

Your expertise supports public health, safeguards consumer confidence, and contributes to Scotland’s reputation for high‑quality, responsibly produced food.

About the role

As an Official Veterinarian, you are responsible for ensuring the welfare of animals at every stage of the slaughter and production process.

Through inspections, verification tasks and technical leadership, you make critical decisions that protect both animal wellbeing and food safety.

You’ll work closely with plant teams and food business operators, using your veterinary knowledge to ensure legal compliance, uphold best practice and support the smooth, safe operation of Scotland’s meat industry.

Food Standards Scotland

We are Scotland’s public sector food body, established to protect consumers’ health and wellbeing through three statutory objectives under the Food (Scotland) Act 2015.

Governed by an eight‑member Board, our remit spans the full food chain. We work with all 32 local authorities to regulate food hygiene and standards and deliver official controls for meat, eggs, wine, and animal feed.

Our SAFER programme is driving major digital and operational transformation. Since the United Kingdom’s exit from the EU, we have taken on functions previously held at European level, and we continue to build the evidence base that supports Scotland’s dietary health goals.

Visa sponsorship

If you meet sponsorship eligibility, these positions may be eligible for visa sponsorship, making them accessible to qualified veterinary professionals from outside the UK.

Food Standards Scotland welcomes applications from international candidates who meet the required professional standards and hold the necessary veterinary qualifications.

Sponsorship enables successful applicants to work legally in Scotland while contributing their expertise to the protection of public health, the welfare of animals, and the integrity of our national food chain.

What we offer

We offer a wide range of benefits including:

• A competitive civil service salary
• A generous pension scheme
• Ongoing professional development
• Flexible working including hybrid options
• An inclusive workplace committed to equality
• Access to staff health and wellbeing support
• The opportunity to make a difference

We are committed to recruiting a workforce which is reflective of our diverse population, where individual contributions are encouraged and valued.

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants have the opportunity to perform at their best and we offer recruitment and workplace adjustments to anyone who needs them.