Animal Health Officer

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC; Barwon Downs; Hybrid; AUD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC seeks an Animal Health Officer to join the Animal Health and Welfare Unit in Colac. The role delivers disease surveillance, auditing, and certification across Victoria's livestock industries.

The successful candidate will work within a team, handle investigations in regulatory contexts, and collaborate with stakeholders including farmers, agencies, and local government. Hybrid arrangements apply.

Qualifications

• A tertiary degree in Science, Agricultural Science, Natural Resource Management is required for this position.
• Experience liaising and negotiating with government departments, farmers, livestock agents and other industry representatives.
• Knowledge of the Victorian livestock industries, issues affecting these industries, husbandry practices, nutrition and diseases that limit marketability, animal welfare and production.
• An understanding of the clinical signs and control of diseases important to the Victorian livestock industries.
• Written and verbal communication: ability to prepare briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; ensures written communications contain necessary information to achieve their purpose; uses appropriate style and formats.
• Project Management: demonstrable experience in regularly communicating with and supporting project team members; ensures project objectives are met by anticipating and managing potential and emerging issues.
• Self-Management: experience in planning and prioritising work to ensure outcomes are achieved; resists the temptation to react immediately without taking time to think things through; uses strengths to contribute constructively, and consciously manages the impact of own weaknesses.
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to sees things from others' point of view and confirms understanding; expresses own views in a constructive and diplomatic way; reflects on how own emotions impact on others.

Responsibilities

• Manage animal welfare risks and disease surveillance.
• Oversee domestic and export certification.
• Audit National Livestock Identification System.
• Prepare for and respond to animal disease outbreaks.
• Address animal welfare issues.

Skills

Degree in Science

Stakeholder liaison

Livestock industry knowledge

Written communication

Project management

Self-management

Interpersonal skills

Education

Tertiary science degree

Job description

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action VIC – Barwon Downs VIC

As an Animal Health Officer you will work as a member of the Animal Health and Welfare Unit, to ensure the delivery of major animal health projects that include disease surveillance; livestock legislation and enforcement management; emergency preparedness and response; and traceability and auditing.

Animal Health Officers are required to fulfil surveillance and auditing roles which provide knowledge of the disease and residue status of Victoria’s livestock industries. This information is a key component in maintaining access to markets for Victorian livestock and livestock products, and in mitigating the economic and social effects of disease and residue incidents in Victoria.

The successful applicant will work effectively as a member of a team, enjoy flexible working arrangements and undertake a wide variety of work across the division, involving;

• Management of animal welfare risks
• Disease surveillance
• Domestic and Export certification
• National Livestock Identification System auditing
• Preparedness and response to animal disease outbreaks
• Response to animal welfare issues

As part of an integrated and flexible business model within the Biosecurity and Agriculture Services Branch, you may also provide support to other programs or other regions.

You must work effectively and cooperatively in a team environment and with other agencies such as Victoria Police, CFA, saleyard managers and livestock agents within the district. You will establish strong working relationships with internal staff and various external stakeholders including private landowners, community and industry groups as well as local and state government agencies.

As this is a regulatory position, you will be required to conduct investigations and appear in court. This position has responsibilities under the Livestock Disease Control Act 1994 (all livestock), the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986, the Stock (Seller Liability and Declaration) Act 1993, the Agricultural and Veterinary Chemical (Control of Use) Act 1992, the Food Act 1984 and the Livestock Management Act 2010.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A tertiary degree in Science, Agricultural Science, Natural Resource Management is required for this position. Other related Science Degrees may be considered.
• Experience liaising and negotiating with government departments, farmers, livestock agents and other industry representatives.
• Knowledge of the Victorian livestock industries, issues affecting these industries, husbandry practices, nutrition and diseases that limit marketability, animal welfare and production. An understanding of the clinical signs and control of diseases important to the Victorian livestock industries.
• Written and verbal communication: ability to prepare briefs, letters, emails and reports using clear, concise and grammatically correct language; ensures written communications contain necessary information to achieve their purpose; uses appropriate style and formats.
• Project Management: demonstrable experience in regularly communicating with and supporting project team members; ensures project objectives are met by anticipating and managing potential and emerging issues.
• Self -Management: experience in planning and prioritising work to ensure outcomes are achieved; resists the temptation to react immediately without taking time to think things through; uses strengths to contribute constructively, and consciously manages the impact of own weaknesses.
• Interpersonal Skills: ability to sees things from others' point of view and confirms understanding; expresses own views in a constructive and diplomatic way; reflects on how own emotions impact on others.

This is a fixed term position available for a period of 18 months. The work location for this position is Colac, Victoria 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.

Other relevant information:

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History 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.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace

DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process.

We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace. If you need support to participate, please contact ***************@deeca.vic.gov.au.

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.

Applications close 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 October 2026.