Veterinary Officer

APS 6 (Veterinarian VO2) - $92,603 - $120,980 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Animal Division
- Canberra, ACT
- _Develop biosecurity policy and provide technical advice for the safe import and export of animals and animal commodities._
- _Be part of a diverse and motivated scientific team._
- _Enjoy all that Canberra has to offer with a range of flexible work options._

**Who we are**
The Animal Biosecurity Branch develops biosecurity policy and provides technical and scientific advice for the safe importation of animals and animal products, including aquatic animals and their products, using science-based risk analysis. It also provides scientific and technical support to gain, maintain and improve access for the export of Australian animals and their genetic materials. The branch provides policy and technical advice on marine pest biosecurity. The branch comprises four sections: International Strategy and Assurance, Avian, Biologicals, Companion Animals and Dairy, Livestock and Zoo Animals, and Marine and Aquatic Biosecurity.

The
**Livestock and Zoo Animals Section** develops biosecurity policy and provides technical and scientific advice on the importation of stockfeed and pet food, and livestock species, zoo animals, their products and reproductive material. The section also negotiates exports for these animals and their reproductive material.

The
**Avian, Biologicals, Companion Animals and Dairy Section** provides technical and policy advice to operational areas of the department on requests for the importation of biological commodities and develops and implements policies and provides technical and scientific advice on the importation of dogs, cats, horses, birds, bees and their products. The section also manages and negotiates technical market access requests for the export of these animals and their reproductive material and reviews and updates dairy product import policies.

**The Jobs**
As a Veterinary Officer you will provide veterinary and technical analysis and advice, manage or contribute to the management of complex projects and/or issues relevant to animal health, public health and biosecurity. The role may include supervision and management of other staff and contractors preparing scientific and technical advice. The duties of the Veterinary Officer may include:

- developing and implementing biosecurity policy, programs and projects
- building and maintaining productive working relationships with peers and others in the department
- researching, analysing and interpreting complex scientific information to develop and review animal biosecurity policy in line with biosecurity legislation and international standards, and resolving technical market access issues for animals and animal products
- providing accurate technical and operational advice (both written and verbal) on biosecurity and animal health issues to internal and external stakeholders
- preparing accurate, coherent and concise briefing, correspondence and reports on technical animal biosecurity issues
- contributing to audit and verification activities
- representing the department in discussions with domestic and international government and industry stakeholders about issues that can be technical, complex, contentious and sensitive.

**Please note** that this recruitment process will
**initially be used to fill multiple vacancies in the sections listed above**. 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 also be used to fill
**future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies** in the division where the duties are of a similar nature. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of 12 months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of 3 years in total.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
The successful applicants will have:

- knowledge or an understanding of Australia’s production animal industries, animal pests and diseases affecting Australia’s animal and animal product import and export trades
- knowledge or an understanding of Australia’s animal biosecurity system, animal health status, emergency disease preparedness and response and international animal health standards
- experience working in, and a commitment to, supporting a collaborative team environment.
- Desirable_
Demonstrated experience and skills relevant to the following would be an advantage:

- particular commodities and related industries
- competent authority evaluation (auditing)
- science-based risk assessments.

**Mandatory qualifications**
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 th