Duty Statement
SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION
Title: Veterinary Officer
Division: PIRSA
Branch: Biosecurity SA
Section: Animal Health
Occupant: Vacant
HRMS record number: PR0320
File reference:
Classification code: PO2
Type of appointment:

Ongoing
Term temporary contract (up to 2 years)
Term contract (up to 5 years)
Casual
ESSENTI AL QU ALIFIC ATIONS
To be considered for these duties it is essential that you have the following:
Degree registrable with the SA Veterinary Surgeons Board
CONTEXT OF THE JOB
Why the duties exist and where they fit within PIRSA and/or industry; their scope, responsibilities, accountabilities; etc.
PIRSA’s Animal Health program protects and facilitates market access and livestock productivity, public
health and consumer confidence through the health, welfare, quality, safety and image of South
Australian livestock and livestock products, and other animals.
The new formed PIRSA Biosecurity SA Division consists of a range of services dealing with Animal
Health, Plant Health, Rural Chemicals, Meat Hygiene, Aquatic Pests, Food Safety Policy, Emergency
Management, NRM Biosecurity and Branched Broomrape. The Division delivers an integrated
biosecurity service provided by PIRSA. Biosecurity staff operate from a number of Adelaide and regional
locations across South Australia. Biosecurity has a strong economic, political and community dimension.
Global trade access for livestock and livestock products increasingly requires demonstrated minimum
standards of animal health and welfare. The PIRSA Animal Health Group is responsible for provision of
disease control, surveillance and response services in association with livestock industries of SA, and for
monitoring livestock systems for public health risks.
In response to ongoing national and state concerns about the arguably increasing threat of emergency
animal disease and associated overseas marketing and public health implications, veterinary positions
are maintained in SA to meet these requirements of the Animal Health Program. The particular focus is
on enhanced disease surveillance and emergency animal disease response capacity.
As part of a state-wide Animal Health team, those occupying these positions will provide veterinary
inputs to livestock disease preparedness, surveillance and control activities within a district or region.
A high level of independent work, initiative and motivation is required to ensure results are achieved.
To be successful appointees will need to identify and relate to the needs of rural communities and
possess a capacity to work collaboratively with veterinary practitioners as well as livestock producers,
stock agents, industry groups, SA Health and other relevant stake holders.
REPO RTING/ WORKI NG REL ATIONSHIPS
To whom the person reports; staff for whom the person is responsible; and internal and external working relationships.
Reports to the Manager of Disease Surveillance – Animal Health.
SPECIFIC REQUI REMENTS
eg OHS&W, Act/Award, location, travel requirements, frequent overtime, etc.
Updated: August 2010
Objective ID: A789131
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Role is located at the Glenside Office. Relocation to any other place in SA may be required.
Some out of hours work plus interstate and intrastate travel may be required.
The incumbent will be required to maintain a safe working environment by adopting appropriate
hazard management practices consistent with the role.
• *The incumbent will be expected to uphold the ethical behaviour and professional integrity standards
as contained in the Public Sector Act, 2009.
SECTION B:
RESULTS TO BE ACHIEVED
The outcomes, outputs, services, tasks and products arising from the duties.
Production of surveillance data
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Conduct passive surveillance including analysing and reporting on laboratory results
Conduct targeted surveillance programs to monitor disease prevalence and trends
Investigate incidents of unusual, new or emerging herd/flock diseases
Collect samples for state and national disease and residue surveys
Assist in the interpretation and analysis of lab results and entry of information into
national database systems
Establish networks with industry to exchange surveillance data
Establishment of communication networks with producers/Livestock industries/other
industry participants
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Initiate and attend producer meetings and field days
Promote disease surveillance and biosecurity /awareness and preparedness with all
relevant groups
Establish professional credibility to effectively promote Animal Health programs with
Industry
Lead producers/Industry in recognising the importance of biosecurity and animal health
issues to trade access and industry prosperity
Participate in regulatory disease control programs
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Contribute to the achievements/outcomes of PIRSA Animal Health programs
Use disease control activities to develop enhanced passive surveillance
Apply defined disease control policies for major animal diseases
Undertake routine specimen collection as required for laboratory testing
Develop and maintain relevant competencies for participation in emergency disease and
disaster preparedness and response
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Undertake specialist training in clinical diagnosis of emergency animal disease
Undertake training in field epidemiology, control and eradication of emergency animal
diseases
Assist in developing the preparedness of other government and non-government regional
agencies/ stakeholders
Develop species/industry specific knowledge as required
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Develop specialist understanding of species specific industry economics and
demographics, endemic disease, biosecurity, animal welfare
Application of livestock health technology
Updated: August 2010
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Provide technical and regulatory advice to farmers and industry stake holders
Facilitate by providing technical expertise to industry groups
Participate in field days and seminars
Communicate through mass media
Participate in coordinated extension campaigns
Prepare reports and publications when appropriate
Animal Welfare
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Ensure maintenance of appropriate livestock welfare standards by providing expert
advice to RSPCA, producers and agribusiness on livestock health and husbandry
Investigate and report on incidents of alleged animal cruelty
Data Management
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Undertake training in data management and analysis skills
SECTION C: CAPABILITIES PROFILE
The skills, knowledge and personal attributes that underpin successful job performance. List 8-10 capabilities critical in enabling
the person to achieve to a high level.
Capabilit y
Professional & Technical Expertise
Definition: Demonstrates the
professional and technical knowledge
and the specific skills relevant to the
role.
Demonstrates sound knowledge
across all key areas of
professional/technical competence
relevant to the role, with in-depth
knowledge in one or two areas;
applies a sound understanding of
knowledge in a range of areas
Building Networks
Definition: Building and maintaining a
network of contacts to achieve
objectives, for exchange of
information and for mutual benefit
Behaviours
• Maintains up to date knowledge and skills of the relevant
technical areas
• Explains technical information accurately and clearly to
non-technical people
• Demonstrates an ability to manage complex tasks in area
of expertise
• Shows high levels of technical/professional competence
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Maintains strong internal network and
systematically builds external
contacts to facilitate achieving
objectives, for exchange of
information and for mutual benefit
Communication Skills
Definition: Communicating effectively,
listening carefully, clarifying content
and communicating understanding of
other viewpoints; connecting with
others through exchanging
information and ideas
Presents own position and checks
Updated: August 2010
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Builds a strong network of professional contacts and actively
works to maintain this
Builds relationships of trust and cooperation with key
livestock producers, identifying leaders and those with
influence
Creates and sustains personal networks, internally and
externally
Demonstrates an outgoing and active involvement with
industry groups and stakeholders in resolving issues
associated with legislative development or implementation
Shares information freely and is open to receiving
information
Is an empathic listener, actively demonstrating interest and a
preparedness to consider others’ ideas and experiences
Respects others' viewpoints and incorporates these into
building understanding and making final decisions
Builds a climate of trust to facilitate open communications
between people
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individual or group understanding
through appropriate questioning and
feedback; seeks affirmation and
clarifies own understanding of others'
positions; communicates actively and
effectively in an unambiguous way
Planning and Organising Work
Definition: Establishing a course of
action for self and/or others to
accomplish specific goals; planning
effective, timely work assignments
and the appropriate allocation of
resources
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Manages own time in an efficient and effective manner.
Demonstrates a flexible approach to unplanned events and
interruptions whilst maintaining focus on priorities
Monitors workload and communicates problems and
difficulties
Manages numerous tasks in priority order allowing sufficient
time to meet deadlines
Sets own work priorities, uses tools
(eg. calendar, files charts) and time
efficiently to meet work objectives
Presentation skills
Definition: Preparing and presenting
information or ideas in group
situations in an articulate and
confident manner using appropriate
presentation tools.
Prepares and delivers informative,
effective presentations to colleagues
or the general public selecting
appropriate presentation style and
tools; clarifies and resolves issues
arising in debate
Initiative
Definition: Identifying opportunities,
anticipating problems and taking
action; undertaking activities beyond
the immediate job requirements
 Prepares thoroughly for presentation, reseaching audience
expectations and planning accordingly
 Engages with wide range of audiences at their level and
skilfully utilises a range of media to get the message across
eg visual, verbal, interaction etc
 Knows how to move, or convince people by utilising
argument (rationality), feeling, and values in presentation
 Handles opposition, debate, and issues arising skilfully
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Produces quality, innovative work without constant
supervision
Moves projects forward without being asked to do so
Recognises and acts on opportunities to deal with potential
problems
Acts autonomously within scope of
duties; looks for alternative ways to
ensure work is completed; anticipates
problems and takes action
Problem solving
Definition: Identifying and defining
problems, pinpointing key issues;
developing workable solutions
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Identifies, defines and solves complex
problems relating to work role
ENDORSED
Updated: August 2010
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Researches appropriate sources and asks others for the
benefit of their experience to explore and test possible
solutions
Utilises a wide range of problem solving approaches
including rational, intuitive, lateral and creative
Chooses from a number of approaches to problem solving
Maximises capability and ownership by involving others with
diverse views in problem solving
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Manager’s name: Dr. Malcolm Anderson
Signature .............................................................................................................................................
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Occupant’s name: .........................................................................................................................
If applicable
Signature ............................................................................................................................................
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APPROVED
*Chief Executive/Delegate’s name: .......................................................................................
*Executive (SAES) roles must have CE approval
Signature ............................................................................................................................................
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* Ethical behaviour and professional integrity standards – Public Sector Act, 2009
PIRSA employees are expected to:
• be honest;
• promptly report and deal with improper conduct;
• avoid conflicts of interest, nepotism and patronage;
• treat the public and public sector employees with respect and courtesy;
• make decisions and provide advice fairly and without bias, caprice, favouritism or self interest;
• deal with agency information in accordance with law and agency requirements;
• avoid conduct that will reflect adversely on the public sector;
• accept responsibility for decisions and actions;
• submit to appropriate scrutiny.
Updated: August 2010