Job Description
Exports & Veterinary Services Division
Canberra - ACT, Melbourne - VIC, Sydney-NSW
Join the team in DAFF that's responsible for managing food safety risks with imported food.
You will be part of a team that supports our risk-based border inspection scheme and the laboratories that test imported food.
If you are passionate about food safety, we want to hear from you.
Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Exports & Veterinary Services and the departments’ goal.
Our work helps expand trade by negotiating technical access for food and we represent Australia in setting global food standards. We regulate the export of animal products and import of food products through the delivery of inspection and certification services
We oversee the export regulation of dairy, fish, eggs, organic goods and other specialty products. We are also responsible for policy development and regulation of imported food safety controls. We manage the National Residue Survey which conducts animal and plant residue testing for participating industries and drive reforms to keep our export systems strong, trusted and future-ready.
The Imported Food section develops policy and then monitors and enforces compliance of food imported into Australia to facilitate trade in food. As a regulator, we manage imported food safety risks at the border through the Imported Food Inspection Scheme. As a Policy Officer you will be responsible for developing effective and risk-proportionate Imported Food policy in line with the department’s regulatory priorities and responsibilities. As a Technical Officer you will be responsible for providing technical input to support the operation of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
This is where you play an important role.
Across both the Policy Officer and Technical Officer role your duties may include, but are not limited to:
Assisting with the management of shared mailboxes, including the triage of incoming emails for distribution to relevant areas and responding to general inquiries.
Forming collaborative internal and external working relationships with a range of stakeholders.
As a Technical Officer, the duties may include, but are not limited to:
Providing technical support to assessment and inspection staff using the Agricultural Import Management System (AIMS) for imported food.
Providing supporting information for the section, including using Power BI to develop reports and analyse data.
Developing and reviewing instructional material for assessment, inspection and post inspection system activities for the Imported Food Inspection Scheme.
Processing failing food notifications and publication of monthly reports.
Assisting with the design and management of electronic profiles for targeting imported food and investigating referral issues.
Support undertaking projects and conducting research and reviews as required on aspects of imported food policy and operations.
Providing support to the maintenance of Imported Food information in BICONAs.
A Policy Officer, the duties may include, but are not limited to:
Contributing to the development of food safety risk management policy that is proportionate to risk and can be practically applied at the border.
Developing work instructions to support transparent and defensible decision making for risk management.
Contributing to the management of government-to-government food safety certification arrangements.
Managing the administration of Food Import Compliance Agreement (FICA) clients.
Assist with implementing changes to Imported Food legislation.
Contributing to government briefing and assist with horizon scanning to monitor international food safety issues and taking appropriate follow up action when needed.
Assist with the development and publication of stakeholder communication material.
Please note that 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 vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.
Our ideal candidate will have:
Knowledge and experience
As a Technical Officer - the following are highly desirable:
an understanding of the operation of the Imported Food Inspection Scheme,
experience with, or an understanding of, the Agricultural Import Management System (AIMS) for imported food,
an understanding of BICON and the electronic systems that support the operation of the IFIS.
As a Policy officer - the following are highly desirable:
an understanding of the principles of food safety and food safety management systems,
experience with, or understanding of, government certification arrangements,
an understanding of Australia’s food regulatory system.
VetPaths
The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Policy Officer / Technical officer position is now open for candidates interested in the BPO Jobs sector. This role in Acton offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in BPO Jobs is a plus.