Veterinarians - EOI | National

Job Description

• Are you a qualified veterinarian interested in playing a vital role ensuring New Zealand's food and animal products are produced to the highest standards?
• Would you like to work for an organisation that offers career progression and interesting pathways for development?
• Do you pride yourself on your integrity and your ability to communicate well with internal and external stakeholders?

We are looking for registered veterinarians from New Zealand and overseas who have great people skills and are passionate about supporting success. 

The Ministry for Primary Industries is responsible for ensuring the safety and suitability of New Zealand exports for overseas and domestic markets by providing official assurances / certification required for exporting New Zealand's food and animal products to overseas markets.  Maintaining and growing international market access for New Zealand depends on the excellent work that our vets provide on the front line. 

As a vet at the Ministry for Primary Industries, you'll talk to a range of people as you go about your daily tasks. You'll need to be able to translate your technical knowledge and jargon into language that the layperson can understand.  You'll partner with farmers as well as senior management at cold stores and processing plants to help them innovate and grow their market share.

We provide a number of training programmes and opportunities for people to continuously improve their skill sets and keep up to date with global best practices.

Joining Verification Services is one of many gateways to a wider career path within the Ministry for Primary Industries. We also offer career progression in other directorates.

If you want to become part of a diverse and interesting organisation that offers a wide range of career options and you want to be part of helping NZ to succeed, then click on our link below!

To be eligible to apply for this role you need:

• To have your veterinary qualification able to be recognised by the Veterinary Council

of New Zealand (please visit https://www.vetcouncil.org.nz/ for more detail )

• a commitment to ensuring animal welfare protocols are adhered to
• a positive attitude and a flexible approach to new challenges and ideas
• strong interpersonal skills and an ability to value differences and to respect alternative views
• sound communication skills, both written and oral
• ability to work and make decisions independently
• a commitment to strengthening the team-oriented approach.

Transition / Training Available

Once selected, you'll receive six to eight weeks of full-time technical training prior to being warranted under the relevant legislation.  We have ongoing, on-site based practical training, mentoring and technical support for you in your new role.

You'll be given the opportunity to further develop technical and management skills with a comprehensive in-service training programme which includes interpersonal and communication skills, as these are critical aspects in this position.

The Ministry for Primary Industries and the Verification Services directorate are committed to equal employment opportunities. 

Typical Day

Is there a typical day in Verification Services? 

You may be facilitating and providing official assurances supporting the export of food and animal products to worldwide consumers, working in a rural or urban area, or you may be verifying and certifying meat, seafood, game, and dairy facilities at one of approximately 2000 locations in New Zealand. 

You could be monitoring biosecurity containment and transitional facilities at zoos to ensure that organisms that are not allowed in the New Zealand environment, stay out of New Zealand.

Our Establishment Veterinarians who are on-site at processing facilities provide ante mortem inspections as well as a review of post mortem processes, monitor animal welfare compliance (including on-farm verification), and provide export certification.  They also partner with senior management on site to ensure that production is maximised and that processes are safe and efficient. 

As a Circuit Veterinarian, you may be auditing the processing in a cold store, a deer or chicken farm.  Meeting with the managers of these facilities, you would ensure that animal welfare is upheld, and you would review documentation, verify processes, make recommendations, and provide official certification that allow products to be exported and that market access is retained. 

There are many career avenues available for our talented vets.  If you're looking for a great team, an opportunity for autonomy and to provide valued input, don't wait.  Apply today or contact Sean Hill, Senior Advisor Workforce Planning, Verification Services on sean.hill@mpi.govt.nz or +64 22 0121 090.