Field Operations Manager

Executive Level 2 (Veterinarian VO5) EL 2.09 - EL 2.10 - $152,937 - $154,772 per annum plus superannuation
- Exports & Veterinary Services Division
- Canberra, ACT
- _Contribute to the prosperity of one of Australia’s largest manufacturing industries through effective regulation._
- _Field Operation Managers are senior veterinarians within the department with technical oversight of meat export operations._
- _The role is critical for maintaining the integrity of Australia’s red meat export system._

**Who we are**
The Exports 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 Meat Exports Branch works in close partnership with internal and external stakeholders to develop and maintain national export inspection and certification services for meat (red meat, poultry, pork, sheep and game 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 central office team manages the export certification system (EXDOC) and provides operational support to the department's technical service delivery streams who are responsible for inspection, verification and certification of meat and meat products across Australia.

**The Job**
The duties of the roles have a diverse range of responsibilities including:

- providing extensive veterinary field experience and knowledge especially in the areas of audit, verification, food safety, animal welfare, animal health, market access and product integrity
- reviewing and exercising regulatory decisions
- conducting audit and verification activities and stakeholder and client management
- performing competency assessments of Area Technical Managers (ATMs), undertaking Critical Incident Response audits when required and being a technical expert on National Association of Testing Authorities audits (NATA) of Australian Authorised officers (AAO) third party providers
- providing high level policy advice as well as leadership and stakeholder engagement for the Meat Exports Branch through committee roles
- mentoring, reviewing and providing feedback on the technical performance of department field staff or other third parties delegated to perform functions on behalf of the Exports Division under the Export Control Act
- providing veterinary advice to the EMP training team in relation to developing training programs, learning modules for induction and ongoing competency

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- Experience and/or knowledge in providing high level veterinary and auditing skills.
- Previous experience managing staff is desirable.

**Skills and capabilities**
- The ability to meet tight and conflicting deadlines.
- The ability to prepare clear and accurate written reports.
- The ability to develop constructive relationships with stakeholders.
- High level skills in policy and instructional material development and holistic systems development and implementation.

**Mandatory qualifications**
To be considered for this position you must have a degree in Veterinary Science or Veterinary Medicine and Surgery from an Australian University or equivalent veterinary qualification recognised in Australia. You must be fully registered, or eligible for full registration, with the relevant Australian state/territory veterinary board and you must maintain this registration whilst employed by the department.

Qualifications in food safety auditing, lead auditing and competency assessments are also required.