•  Multiple permanent & temporary positions available.
•  Positions in locations throughout Australia.
•  Attractive $$ - flexible arrangements available.

Who we are
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.

The Export Meat Section delivers inspection and verification services at export registered meat establishments located in Brisbane, Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, Perth and at approximately 78 abattoirs and various other regional export facilities across the country. These services are aimed at achieving compliance with Australian export standards and overseas importing country market requirements. Staff are authorised export control officers responsible for administering appropriate export legislation and implementing ante mortem, post mortem and meat and meat product meat inspection services. The teams comprising of OPV’s, Food Safety Assessors (FSAs), Food Safety Meat Assessors (FSMAs) and a number of personnel within the Staff Resource Unit provide the services required at 78 regional export facilities and various other registered premises nationally.

The Jobs
On-Plant Veterinary Officer (OPV’s) perform inspection and verification activities in export registered abattoirs across Australia. They are responsible for ensuring processors meet their obligation to comply with relevant export legislation particularly as it applies to food safety, product integrity, animal welfare and the specific requirements of importing countries. OPV’s often manage a small team of departmental staff performing inspections at export abattoirs.

Applicants should note that as a Veterinary Officer in VEMB you will 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 DAWE 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.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
•  Knowledge of, or an interest in, public health veterinary science.
•  Knowledge of, or ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the principles that underpin Australia’s biosecurity requirements.

Mandatory qualifications
To be considered for these positions you must have a veterinary degree from an Australian university or equivalent veterinary qualification recognised in Australia. You must be registered, or eligible for registration, with the relevant Australian state/territory veterinary board and you must maintain this registration whilst employed by the department.

Work locations
Currently, ongoing OPV positions are available at the following locations:

NSW – Bourke*, NSW OPV Pool (3 positions in regional NSW), Inverell, Yanco, Scone
QLD – Mackay, Moranbah, QLD OPV Pool (3 positions in the South East QLD area)
VIC – Nathalia, Swan Hill, Tongala, Echuca, Tatura, Northern Victoria OPV Pool
TAS – Cressy
NT – Batchelor
WA - WA OPV Pool (Bunbury area), Broome*

* Please note that these localities may attract additional allowances and conditions.

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 will be offered for an initial period of up to 12 months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of 3 years in total. Non ongoing (casual) contracts will be offered for periods of up to 2 years. Some of these non-ongoing positions may become ongoing in the next 18 months. Should a position become ongoing then the merit pool, which is valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill the vacancy on an ongoing basis.

Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicants must:

•  hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers’ licence
•  note that they may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work
•  wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy
•  wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
•  note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
•  note that they will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination which will include Q-Fever tests and that Q-Fever immunisation will be required where immunity cannot be established.

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