Kōreromō te tūranga - About the Role

The purpose of this role within New Zealand Food Safety Verification Services (VS) is to provide a range of food safety, animal welfare and biosecurity verification and certification services based at meat exporting plants. To support the meat industry and New Zealand's reputation in the world red meat market for the product produced and to ensure food safety and export standards are being followed by the plant. 

We have an exciting opportunity for someone who enjoys problem solving and enhancing their relationships with others with effective communication.

The role is varied, and you will be expected to do the following

• Collaborate well with internal and external stakeholders, such as meat works personnel, Veterinary colleagues/VS team.
• Verify that requirements and procedures are being followed.
• Provide certification for animal meat exports
• Complete ante mortem inspections and occasionally provide judgement on post-mortem inspection
• Maintain knowledge within the farming communities and be involved in on farm verification
• Ensure animal welfare is being maintained

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

Mō te peka - About the Branch

Reporting to the Team Manager Establishment Hawkes bay, the role is based at AFFCO Wairoa, a meat processing premises in Wairoa, Hawkes Bay

We are looking for a VTS2 to join the team based at AFFCO Wairoa. You will work closely with the VTS1 and other VTS2s to provide MPI Verificvation Services for the multi-species plant processing cattle, lamb and adult sheep as well as goats. The plant runs two shifts during the peak summer months including some weekends and you will be rostered onto shifts within a 3-vet team, working a 5x8 pattern. The role rotates between a morning shift and a night shift with the other VTS2. Any overtime is compensated and early starts, or late finishes are recognised with penal time payments, as well as shift leave accumulation.

This role is suitable for newer verifiers to build up their knowledge of a wide variety of plant processing, or those looking to put down roots in a rural town at a substantially compliant plant.

Wairoa is a rural town on the East Coast of NZ's north island, between the cities of Napier and Gisborne. The town has a great community atmosphere and has many hidden gems. It is an area rich in history and natural beauty with access to surf beaches at Mahia and Gisborne, and Te Urewera National Park with Lake Waikaremoana for the hikers and trampers.

Ngā PÅ«kenga me ngā Wheako â€“ Skills & Experience

The successful candidate will:

• Be a New Zealand registered Veterinarian (Or be able to obtain registration with VCNZ)
• Have verbal and written skills, and analytical reasoning skills
• Demonstrate integrity and trust, ethics and values, resilience, adaptability, and openness
• Verify that requirements and procedures are being followed
• 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
• It is advantageous if you have knowledge of HACCP/Quality Assurance in Food Safety however, this is included in your training

 Ngā hua o te Mahi i te ManatÅ« Ahu Matua: - Benefits of working at MPI

• Three additional (MPI holidays) leave days, sick leave, shift leave, long service leave plus the NZ standard annual leave requirements of 4 weeks
• Structured working week where you get paid overtime after working 40 hours and unsociable hours compensation, including shift allowance and penal rates if applicable 
• You'll be given the opportunity to further develop technical and leadership skills with a comprehensive in-service training which includes interpersonal and communication skills, as these are critical aspects in this position
• Wellness benefit for employees including reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes
• Employee Assistance Programme (counselling support)
• Membership of the NZVA or appropriate alternative
• Annual payment for the Annual practicing certificate

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