Veterinary Officer

APS 6 (Veterinarian VO2) - $95,381 - $124,609 per annum plus superannuation
- Exports & Veterinary Services Division
- Brisbane (QLD), Darwin (NT), Melbourne (VIC), Mickleham (VIC), Perth (WA), Sydney (NSW) and Townsville (QLD)
- _Contribute to maintaining Australia’s biosecurity status and the export of quality live animals and reproductive material. _
- _Ensure regulatory compliance with legislation and policy. _
- _Work independently and collaboratively with diverse staff throughout Australia to achieve common goals._

**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 Live Animal Section provides veterinary and technical assessments, inspections and certification for live animals and animal genetic material. Officers within the Live Animal section complete activities at regional offices, airports, seaports and third-party premises around Australia. The teams comprise Principal Veterinary Officers, Senior Veterinary Officers, Regional Veterinary Officers, Biosecurity Officers, and Administration Officers. With the Live Animal team, you will be using your authority under the
- Export Control Act 2020_ and
- Biosecurity Act 2015_ to ensure compliance with Australian and international biosecurity requirements.
- The department recognises the importance of mental wellbeing and the prevalence of mental health issues within the veterinary workforce. We take a proactive approach to the support and advocacy of mental health with a range of wellbeing and mental health resources, information and tools available to promote good mental wellbeing._

**The Job**
As a Live Animal Veterinary Officer you will:

- work both independently and collaboratively as a team with Veterinary Officers, Biosecurity Officers and other departmental staff
- ensure compliance with legislation and policy
- communicate proactively and effectively (verbal and written) with internal and external stakeholders, including regulated entities
- maintain accurate digital and manual records
- be part of an on-call roster to assist internal and external stakeholders with any afterhours enquiries over the phone or in person
- audit and approve properties for horse, avian, zoo and livestock export consignments, third party isolation premises and artificial breeding centres
- manage the biosecurity risk associated with illegally or accidentally imported animals
- perform veterinary health checks of livestock (in particular those exported by sea) and companion animals, supervise sampling of imported horses and collect samples from imported poultry
- travel to assist other regions cover staff shortages (e.g., leave) or operational needs
- contribute to continuous improvement, such as the development and review of training material and the support of new starters to the team.

**Please note** that this recruitment process will be used to fill a current vacancy in Darwin. The merit pool established through this selection process, 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 possible future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in Melbourne (including at the Post-Entry Quarantine facility at Mickleham), Brisbane, Townsville, Perth and Sydney.

**Information Session**

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- Knowledge of, or an interest in, veterinary public health.
- Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the principles that underpin Australia’s biosecurity requirements and export regulations for live animals and reproductive material.

**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.

**Eligibility and other requirements**
The successful applicant must:

- hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
- note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
- note that the position may require them to participate in an on-call roster (for which an appropriate restriction allowance will be paid) and be available to perform duty outside standard hours
- note that you will 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 cl