Veterinary Technical Supervisor Reliever | Christchurch

Job Description

Job Title: Veterinarian Reliever (VTS Reliever)

Role type: Permanent, full-time

Location:  Christchurch, Canterbury

Salary range: VTS6 - $113,838 to $142,297 per annum

Starting salary will be dependent on skills and experience of the successful applicant.

In addition to salary, we offer overtime, penal time, and shift allowances.

About the Role - Kōrero mō te Tūranga 

 The role sits within the Establishment group of the Verification Services directorate. MPI Verification Services (MPI VS) provides a range of food safety and biosecurity verification and certification services to support market access strategies and setting standards.

The purpose of this position is to travel around the Christchurch – Canterbury region to provide verification services that confirms food safety objectives, market access and Biosecurity requirements have been met at the establishment thereby permitting the issue of official assurances. You may also be required to travel to other regions on occasion for this position. An MPI fleet vehicle will be provided for work related travel.

As a VTS Reliever, would also be expected to lead and where necessary coordinate verification activities over a varied range of animal products as well as manage the key primary relationship with operator and act as a conduit between operators and MPI.

• Ensure that official assurances issued for export products are valid and withstand third party reviews through audit and verification of the operators and their processes.
• Support operators to ensure that timely and effective corrective and preventative actions are in place.
• Work successfully with & support the regional MPI team, as well as the wider MPI team such as the technical team and other external stakeholders such as farmers.
• Work with operator personnel of different levels from plant manager to frontline staff and will be able to tailor your communication with them effectively.
• Promote efficient use of time and resources.

About the Team - Mō tō mātou Rōpū

With an MPI office based in Christchurch, this role will report to the Team Manager Establishment and would primarily involve relieving at premises in the team, from Belfast just north of Christchurch to Timaru and Ashburton in the south. As a Veterinarian Reliever, you will work closely with industry professionals as well as other departments within MPI to support the delivery of national and regional verification.

Canterbury is famous for its effortless blend of city and rural living; here you can choose your ideal lifestyle, from peaceful rural villages, to bustling townships, or city life. The region includes the charming towns of Waipara, Hamner Springs, Akaroa, Lyttelton, Kaikōura and Oxford to name a few, and at the centre of it all is the city of Christchurch. It is also an easy drive to South Island ski fields, Canterbury wineries and Mount Cook/Aoraki.

• Watch some of our team describe why they love the role that they are in and their journey into a career with Verification Services – Click Here 

About You - Mōu  

This position would suit a veterinarian who has prior experience in premises verification and can demonstrate an organised and flexible approach, with the ability to take initiative.

However, you do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit. 

To be considered for this role, you must:

• Be a New Zealand registered Veterinarian (or be able to obtain registration with the Veterinary Council of New Zealand);
• Hold a full New Zealand driver's licence (or be able to obtain a licence by converting a current overseas driver's licence

The successful candidate will also:

• Have verbal and written skills, and analytical reasoning skills;
• Demonstrate integrity and trust, ethics and values, resilience, adaptability, and openness;
• Have experience persuading and influencing, teamwork, planning and organising;
• Have computer literacy – can operate standard and customised software to an acceptable standard e.g. word-processing, excel, internet, email.

About MPI - Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua 

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) partners with New Zealand's food and fibre sector to be the world's most sustainable provider of high-value food and primary products.

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

• Professional membership and annual practicing certificate reimbursement
• Wellness benefit for employees
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes

See the benefits of working at MPI

Drug and Alcohol Screening - Whakamātau Whakapōauau me te Waipiro

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 under the application process, on pre-employment checks page.

Are you ready to make a difference? - Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake?  We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whanau 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 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 Wednesday 28^th May 2025. however suitable applicants will be considered and contacted before this date.

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

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