Senior NAIT Officer/NAIT Officer | Christchurch

Job Description

NAIT Officer

Role type: Permanent Full time

Location: Ōtautahi (Christchurch)

Salary range COPSCS: $72,795 to $102,356 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te Tūranga - About the Role

The NAIT programme is used to provide fast and accurate tracing of animals. This enables the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) to respond quickly in the case of a serious biosecurity outbreak or natural disaster. The traceability of this programme is also important for food safety and quality assurance.

As a warranted NAIT Officer, you will:

• Gain sound knowledge on all aspects of the National Animal Identification and Tracing Act 2012 (NAIT Act) and NAIT scheme.
• Have practical working knowledge of the laws under which investigations and compliance activities operate.
• Apply system thinking to proactively identify areas of non-compliance in the NAIT scheme. Expertly apply the appropriate legislative tools to enable effective detection, reporting and investigation of NAIT scheme non-compliance.
• Independently or with other NAIT Officers, prepare and present robust court prosecution cases where significant non-compliance is identified.
• Once experience is gained, provide advice or training about NAIT to the primary production sector to increase uptake and compliance of the NAIT scheme.
• Build and sustain positive working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• Travel within New Zealand is required.
• Assist Animal Welfare Inspectors as required.

Mōu - About You

We are passionate about growing prosperity while ensuring respect for Kaitiaki - guardianship of our natural resources.

For this role you will ideally have the following skills and experience:

• Experience in animal production systems and knowledge of agricultural sectors.
• Have a high degree of analytical capability along with an interest in working through large complex data sets.
• Be a self-starter, able to take initiative and implement learnings into action
• Practical working knowledge or be able to demonstrate the potential to develop knowledge of the laws under which investigations and compliance activities operate including: NAIT Act, Animal Welfare Act, Evidence Act, Criminal Disclosure Act, Criminal Procedures Act, Search and Surveillance Act.
• Relevant Tertiary Qualification and/or experience in animal husbandry duties would be an advantage
• Tertiary qualifications and/or equivalent regulatory, compliance and enforcement experience would be an advantage 

 Ngā hua o te mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua - Benefits of working at MPI

• Up to 3 additional (MPI holidays) leave days
• Ability to purchase extra annual leave
• Annual Wellness payment for employees
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation

Ngā Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checks

 Confidential level Security Clearance

• most preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, OR
• is a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK) or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.
• click here to find out more about the national security vetting process and access the eligibility self-check tool.

If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.

Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro - Drug and Alcohol Screening

Please note, given this position is safety sensitive the preferred applicant/s for the position will be required to undergo a drug and alcohol pre-employment screening test. Further information on this process can be found on our careers site, here.

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?

We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.

We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.

In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values, your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.

To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on Sunday 6 April 2025.

If you have any questions about the role, please email Luke.Farrell@mpi.govt.nz  

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