Leading Biosecurity Officer - Food Safety

The Leading Biosecurity Officer - Food Safety, is responsible for the delivery of regulatory services relating to the implementation of Primary Production and Processing Standards (the Standards) for horticulture producers. From February 2025, leafy vegetable, melon, and berry producers will be required to register with Agriculture Victoria and demonstrate compliance with the new food safety standards. The Standards will provide baseline food safety requirements for all berry, leafy vegetable, and melon businesses. Agriculture Victoria will regulate the Standards which contain specific requirements including notifying authorities, product traceability, managing safety of inputs, and worker and premises hygiene.

The position will play a key role in assessing and confirming that primary production food safety activities, including risk identification and management and control processes, address the requirements of the Standards. This will extend to verification activities such as conducting on-farm audits.

You will need to demonstrate strong interpersonal and communication skills, experience with legislation and enforcement management, combined with highly developed organisational skills. Technical expertise in horticulture and/or on-farm food safety is highly desirable, along with experience in conducting audits. This role will require considerable time travelling, conducting on-farm audits, meeting and working with berry, leafy vegetable, and melon producers.

You will work as a member of a small team to ensure delivery of high-quality services, enjoy flexible working arrangements and may undertake a wide variety of work to support interoperability across the business. The position plays a key role in supporting industry and communities to demonstrate that primary production horticulture produce is of high quality and that measures are in place to ensure continued food safety.

As this is a regulatory position, you may be required to conduct investigations and appear in court. This position has responsibilities under the Food Act 1984.

Accountabilities

• Initiate and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders with the objective of gaining cooperation and trust in the Primary Production and Processing Standards and with Agriculture Victoria as the Victorian regulator.
• Guide horticulture businesses into the regulatory environment by offering information and advice as to how their compliance with the Standards will need to be demonstrated. Use technical knowledge relating to horticulture and/or primary production food safety to assess the effectiveness of management controls.
• Provide authoritative information and advice on food safety risk assessment and management, and verification requirements.
• Assist in confirming that existing food safety arrangements ( Global Food Safety Initiative recognised schemes), meet the requirements of the Standards.
• Monitor regulated horticulture entities ensuring compliance with the Standards, including conducting audits, and leading investigations into breaches of regulations made under the Food Act 1984.
• Respond to biosecurity incidents and other agricultural emergencies and recovery operations as required.

This position is a designated DEECA Authorised Officer and has responsibilities under the legislation relevant to the role.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Tertiary degree in Agricultural Science, Science, or an equivalent science qualification. Candidates must have these qualifications to be considered eligible and verification is required prior to appointment.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in horticulture and/or primary production and processing food safety. Demonstrated experience in an auditing regulatory environment.
• Current Drivers Licence for a motor vehicle

This is an ongoing position. The work location for this position is Attwood with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close at midnight on Monday, 26th August 2024.

Other relevant information:

For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector who apply through the .

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.

For further information including the position description, key selection criteria and to apply visit