Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Exports & Veterinary Services Division and the departments' goal. We make sure Australian exports meet international standards through inspections, audits and certifications. Our work helps expand trade by negotiating technical access for food and other products. We also manage quotas under trade agreements and represent Australia in setting global food standards. The Veterinary and Export Meat Branch (VEMB) undertakes regulatory functions by providing inspection and certification for the export of meat, meat products and the import and export of live animals and reproductive material in order to meet importing country requirements and Australian legislative requirements. We recognise the importance of mental well-being within the veterinary workforce and are committed to providing resources and support to promote good mental health. The key duties of the position include This is where you play an important role . • Provide Expert Advice : You will offer veterinary and technical advice on public health, food safety, and the quality of meat products. Your expertise will support establishment management and other stakeholders, ensuring all processes align with regulatory standards. • Ensure Compliance : You'll ensure the establishment meets its legal obligations under the Export Control Act 2020 and related legislation. You'll monitor compliance through the Meat Establishment Verification System (MEVS), ensuring products meet importing country requirements. • Maintain Veterinary Standards : You'll stay informed on the latest developments in veterinary science and legislative changes, sharing this knowledge with the team and the establishment. You'll apply best practices in quality assurance and Australian/international standards. • Animal Welfare : You will oversee animal welfare, ensuring compliance with state, national, and international standards. You will monitor and report outcomes to maintain high animal welfare standards. • Inspection and Examinations : You will conduct or supervise ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections, ensuring compliance with the Australian Standard for production of meat and meat products (AS 4696:2023) and relevant overseas requirements. • E mergency Preparedness : You'll contribute to veterinary emergency management plan and onsite emergency animal disease preparedness plan, ensuring the establishment is prepared for any potential outbreaks. • Training and Leadership : You'll lead, mentor, and develop a team of veterinary and non-veterinary staff, fostering a high-performance environment. You'll also chair weekly meetings with management, providing feedback on key performance indicators (KPIs) and processes. • Sampling and Testing : You'll collect samples to test for diseases and verify compliance with substance regulations, ensuring the safety and integrity of meat products. Applicants should note that as a Veterinary Officer in VEMB you may be required to undertake activities across export meat and live animal veterinary officer roles. As a Live Animal Veterinarian you will: • perform quarantine and export duties across Australia, in strict compliance with export and biosecurity legislation, national standard operating procedures and work instructions • review export and import documentation, issue export permits and health certificates, undertake veterinary inspections and approve facilities for the export and import of live animals and animal reproductive material • provide technical advice and training to departmental staff, third-party accredited veterinarians, clients & stakeholders • maintain accurate computer based and manual records and prepare reports as required • contribute to the efficient operation of the Live Animal Section in VEMB. Work locations Currently, ongoing OPV positions are available at the following locations: NSW - OPV Pool (based in Yanco), Dubbo, Tamworth Geographical Location, Cooma, Cootamundra, Bourke VIC - North East Victoria Geographical Location, South Gippsland Geographical Location, Warrnambool, South East Melbourne 2 Geographical Location WA - Beaufort River, Katanning, Bunbury QLD - OPV Pool (based in Warwick), Rockhampton Geographical Location, Moreton Geographical Location, Charleville, Biloela, Kingaroy, Moranbah, Gympie TAS - Tasmania Geographical Location Remote Localities These localities have been graded as remote localities. Employees working in these locations are paid an annual district allowance in accordance with the relevant provision (Clause 631) of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Enterprise Agreement 2024-2027 . The successful applicant will also be entitled to additional annual leave as well as leave fares assistance. Please note that future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies (both regional and metropolitan) may become available throughout Australia and the merit pool established from this process may be used to fill these vacancies where the duties are of a similar nature. Non ongoing (specified term) contracts may be offered to new employees for an initial period of up to twelve months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. Non-ongoing (casual) contracts will be offered for periods of up to two years. Some of these non-ongoing positions may become ongoing in the next eighteen months. Should a position become ongoing then the merit pool, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill the vacancy on an ongoing basis. Relocation assistance The department is open to negotiating a package of assistance to assist successful applicants with the costs associated with relocating to a new work location. Information session We will be holding an online information session (timing will be confirmed upon registration) where there will be a presentation on the role and an opportunity to ask questions. Staff with the relevant experience will be online to answer questions about the role. Please register by emailing Dale Eyers at dale.eyers@aff.gov.au.
