Veterinary Officer

APS 6 (Veterinarian VO2) - $92,603 - $120,980 per annum plus superannuation
- Exports & Veterinary Services Division
- Canberra, ACT
- We are looking for enthusiastic veterinary applicants who are keen to develop their skills in government sector, including international trade, market access, and animal welfare and export meat establishment compliance issues._

**Who we are**
The Exports and Veterinary Services Division provides export inspection and certification services and develops strategies to gain, improve or maintain market access for a wide range of food, inedible products of animal origin, live animal and reproductive materials. It provides residue monitoring services to Australian primary industries and administers 40 tariff rate quotas for products to the European Union, United States of America, Indonesia and Japan. The division also includes the Codex contact point which coordinates technical input from both industry and government to develop Australia’s position on international food standards.

The Export Standards Branch negotiates technical standards and conditions with trading partners to maintain, improve or develop market access for the export of meat, fish, dairy, eggs, animal by-products and non-prescribed goods. The branch develops content for the Manual of Importing Country Requirements (Micor), provides chemical residue and microbiological expertise, laboratory oversight and manages the Codex contact point responsible for the coordination and development of policy and technical input into international food standards. The Meat Exports Branch manages the Export Meat Program, which accounts for approximately $13 billion in annual agricultural exports. We work in close partnership with internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain our national regulatory framework and export inspection and certification services for meat. This includes the development of legislation, operational policy and guidelines, instructional material, technical training development and delivery and engagement with industry and government stakeholders.

**The Job**
Duties of the positions include, but are not limited to:

- working on topical issues crucial for the future exports of animal agricultural products and by-products
- liaising, negotiating and effectively communicating with Australian and overseas government agencies, industry bodies, and other internal and external stakeholders in support of technical market access
- providing technical veterinary advice and guidance on matters relating to animal health, animal welfare, and food safety
- undertaking research and developing submissions and briefings in support of market access negotiations for animal products and by-products, including contributing to content relating to animal health
- providing input into high level written and verbal advice in support of the above activities
- representing the department at national and international meetings and conferences
- liaising with the states and territories on the development of national animal welfare standards and guidelines
- undertaking research and responding to issues of export meat establishment non-compliance.

**Skills and Capabilities**
- have strong written and verbal communication skills including an ability to communicate complex and/or technical issues effectively to senior executives, external stakeholders or clients
- high performers who are motivated to work independently with limited direction and have a demonstrated ability to engage with other staff and manage significant issues or projects
- work collaboratively with colleagues to achieve work area and agency goals and enthusiastically support the development of a learning and innovative team culture
- develop and support complex relationships with a range of stakeholders
- ability to represent the branch in a professional and informed manner when providing advice to stakeholders or industry
- awareness of and ability to anticipate and communicate the impacts of policy proposals to relevant stakeholders
- sound judgement and an ability to work in a team, prioritise tasks and produce high quality work within agreed timeframes.

**Knowledge and experience**
Knowledge of:

- Australia’s biosecurity and animal health systems
- Demonstrated ability to research, analyse and prepare accurate, science-based reports and submissions on complex technical issues
- A working knowledge of legislative frameworks, government decision-making processes and regulations is desirable
- Trade experience and knowledge of Australian export legislation and agricultural industries is also desirable

**Eligibility and other requirements**

**Citizenship** - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry you must be an Australian citizen.

**Security Clearance** - This position requires a Negative Vetting Level 1 security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.