Kōreromō te tūranga - About the Role

The purpose of this role within New Zealand Food Safety Verification Services is to provide a range of food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity verification and certification services based at meat exporting plants. To support the meat industry and New Zealand's reputation in the world red meat market for the product produced and to ensure food safety and export standards are being followed by the plant.

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys problem solving and enhancing their relationships with others with effective communication.

The role is varied, and you will be expected to do the following:

• Collaborate well with internal and external stakeholders, such as meat works personnel, Veterinary colleagues/VS team;
• Verify that requirements and procedures are being followed;
• Provide certification for animal meat exports;
• Complete ante mortem inspections and occasionally provide judgement on post-mortem inspection;
• Maintain knowledge within the farming communities and be involved in on farm verification;
• Ensure animal welfare is being maintained.

You will receive six to eight weeks of technical training prior to being warranted under the relevant legislation. We have ongoing, on-site training, mentoring and technical support for you in your new role.

 

Mō te peka - About the Branch

Reporting to the Team Manager Establishment Dunedin, the role is based at Silver Fern Farms Finegand, a meat processing premises in Balclutha in the Otago. The role sits within the Establishment group of the Verification Services directorate. MPI Verification Services (MPI VS) provides a range of food safety and biosecurity verification and certification services to support market access strategies and setting standards.

We are looking for a VTS2 to join the team based at Silver Fern Farms Finegand, an hour from Dunedin. You will work closely with the VTS1 and other VTS2 to provide MPI VS services, working shared shifts Monday to Friday, with some Saturday mornings during the busy season. The plant processes sheep and beef for all major export markets. The plant has achieved triple O implementation and has a well-established Compliance & Management team. Any overtime is compensated and early starts, or late finishes are recognised with penal time payments, as well as shift leave accumulation.

This role is suitable for newer verifiers to build up their knowledge of a wide variety of plant processing, or those looking to put down roots in a rural town at a substantially compliant plant.

Balclutha is a small rural town situated within a picturesque farming landscape. Yet it is only 20 minutes from stunning beaches and headlands, including Kaka Point. Only an hour to Dunedin and less than three hours to the snow of Queenstown.

 

Ngā Pūkenga me ngā Wheako – Skills & Experience 

The successful candidate will:

• Be a New Zealand registered Veterinarian (Or be able to obtain registration with VCNZ)
• Have verbal and written skills, and analytical reasoning skills
• Demonstrate integrity and trust, ethics and values, resilience, adaptability, and openness
• Verify that requirements and procedures are being followed
• Have experience persuading and influencing, teamwork, planning and organising
• Have computer literacy – can operate standard and customised software to an acceptable standard e.g. word-processing, excel, internet, email

It is advantageous if you have knowledge of HACCP/Quality Assurance in Food Safety however, this is included in your training.

 

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua: - Benefits of working at MPI

• Three additional (MPI holidays) leave days, sick leave, shift leave, long service leave plus the NZ standard annual leave requirements of 4 weeks
• Structured working week where you get paid overtime after working 40 hours and unsociable hours compensation, including shift allowance and penal rates if applicable
• You'll be given the opportunity to further develop technical and leadership skills with a comprehensive in-service training which includes interpersonal and communication skills, as these are critical aspects in this position
• Wellness benefit for employees including reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme (counselling support)
• Membership of the NZVA or appropriate alternative
• Annual payment for the Annual practicing certificate

Watch some of our team describe why they love the role that they are in and their journey into a career with Verification Services – Click Here

 

 Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site under the application process, on pre-employment checks page.

 

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your whakapapa; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

 

Me pēhea te tuku tono - How to Apply

To view the position description and/or apply for the role please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. For tracking and reporting purposes, all applications must be submitted through our online career's portal.

 

Applications close at midnight on Wednesday 17th May 2023, however suitable applicants will be considered and contacted before this date.

If you have any questions about the role, please email Christopher.Shorrock@mpi.govt.nz or  Louise.devine@mpi.govt.nz

 

Whāia ngā tūhononga ki MPI i konei – Follow MPI here

Links to Facebook, MPI Careers, LinkedIn, Twitter

The Ministry for Primary Industries is committed to providing a working environment that embraces and values inclusion and diversity. Your unique talents and experience will help us deliver exceptional services to our communities in Aotearoa. In return you'll enjoy an inclusive and flexible working environment in a diverse team of people while you're growing your career here in NZ and internationally. We actively encourage applications from all backgrounds. If you have any support or access requirements, we encourage you to tell us when you apply so that we can assist you through the recruitment process.

 

Please confirm closing dates at original source link and ensure you take note of appropriate time zones for position closing times.  Please note, Veterinarycareers.com.au takes no responsibility for closing dates or removal of job positions advertised.

For next steps in application please register below.