senior food standards officer

Department of Primary Industries and Regions

Job reference: 706638

Location: ADELAIDE

Job status: Ongoing

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

The Opportunity

We have an opportunity for a Senior Food Standards Officer/Food Safety Officer to be part of our Biosecurity Division within the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

The successful candidate will be hired at the TGO3 or TGO4 classification level depending on experience and qualifications.

The Food Safety Program aims to ensure public safety from foodborne illness, and to promote and improve food safety in primary industry sectors with an overall outcome of safe and suitable food for consumers. The program has legislative responsibility for primary production and processing in sectors such as meat, poultry, eggs and shellfish.

TGO3

The primary purpose of the Food Safety Officer is to be responsible for reviewing protocols and verification activities to ensure food safety outcomes are achieved while also performing assessments of food safety accreditation applications.

Developing and applying specialist techniques in the planning and conduct of complex audits of businesses with a range of processes/products and the verification of conformance to relevant food safety.

The role contributes to delivering the agency's priorities including maintaining market access, through implementing state traceability and product integrity programs.

The role contributes to administering the Primary Produce (Food Safety Schemes) Act 2004 and associated regulations which includes industry sectors: meat, eggs, seafood including Bivalvia Molluscs, poultry growing and seed sprout production.

TGO4

The primary purpose of the Senior Food Standards Officer is to plan and deliver specialist technical functions and services to support the administration of food safety regulations within high-risk sectors of the meat, egg, and seafood industries, including coordinating and undertaking complex projects and providing specialist advice in the assessment of food safety standards in high-risk food production and processing sectors.

The role is also responsible for developing and implementing risk mitigation processes, planning, and undertaking complex field investigations, and exercising authority in the seizure and destruction of non-compliant product, the examination of information and the collection and management of evidence.

Developing and applying specialist techniques in the planning and conduct of complex audits of businesses with high-risk processes/products and the verification of conformance to relevant food safety.

The role contributes delivering the agency's priorities through administrating food safety legislation to ensure safe food is produced and market access is enabled.

The role contributes to delivering Biosecurity division programs which underpin market access and contributes to the productivity and protection of South Australia's primary industries.

About Us

South Australia is internationally recognised for the quality of its agriculture, food, and wine. Our regions are the backbone of our state and the economic powerhouse that drives prosperity for all South Australians.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is a key economic development agency working in partnership with our primary industries, regional stakeholders and across all levels of government to advance the prosperity and sustainability of South Australia's primary industries and regional communities.

We are a passionate team of around 800 people working across metropolitan and regional South Australia to develop and protect our state's regions and food, wine, aquaculture, fisheries, forestry, grains, livestock, dairy and horticulture industries.

It's no wonder there are so many exciting and diverse career opportunities in our organisation. If you're ready to join us, apply now

Benefits

At the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, we offer our employees challenging and rewarding work with opportunities for career progression, learning and development and flexibility.

Our Commitment to Diversity

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. We embrace diversity and welcome applications from all people, irrespective of culture, faith, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or age.

Special Conditions

• Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Police Check (NPC) prior to being made an offer of employment.
• Australian residency or current works permit is required (responsibility of applicant to provide evidence of a current work permit).
• Depending on your qualifications, candidates can be hired at the TGO3 or TGO4 classification level.
• Opportunity to be ongoing.
• Full time and Part time opportunities up to 37.5 hours per week.

Requirements

• Possession of a current driver's licence and willingness to drive.
• Out of hours work and inter / intrastate travel may be required, including contact with industry clientsout-of-hours is necessary for effective operation.
• You acknowledge your work, health and safety obligations and our expectations
• The incumbent will be required to undertake emergency management training and must be willing to participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities required by government agencies.
• Weekend and public holiday work may be required with regular travel and performance of duties throughout South Australia, and occasionally interstate.

TGO3 Qualifications

Essential

• Diploma in Food Science and Technology or Tertiary Qualification in Food Technology, Food Inspection, Environmental Health or equivalent or Certificate IV in Meat Processing.

Desirable

• Lead Food Safety Auditing qualifications.

TGO4 Qualifications

Essential:

• Level 4 Certification (High Risk Processes) by Exemplar Global as an auditor within the National Food Safety Auditor Scheme (NFSA), or competencies required for this certification.
• Tertiary qualification in Food Technology, Food Inspection, Environmental Health or equivalent or,
• Certificate IV in Meat Processing.

Remuneration

TGO3 - $84,159 min - $88,852 max per annum, plus superannuation

TGO4 - $91,260 min - $95,413 max per annum, plus superannuation

Enquiries

Sarah Spurling

Acting General Manager Food Safety

Phone:

Email:

Website:

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please see the attached applicant instructions, and outline your skills and experience in relation to the Professional and Technical Knowledge, Communications and Problem Solving and Analytical Thinking capabilities of the attached role description.

Applicants must include the contact information of at least 2 referees with 1 being your immediate supervisor/manager and a completed "Pre-Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector" form.

Applications close: 12/11/2025 11:45 PM