- Responds to and investigates farm animal welfare complaints from the public.
- Collects evidence, issues directives, conducts follow-up inspections and/or implements other enforcement actions including obtaining warrants, gathering evidence, and laying of charges.
- Determines the need for technical assistance from veterinarians or law enforcement agencies.
- Ensures provincially licensed abattoirs and meat processors are following provincial design and construction criteria and that they are properly maintained, hygienic, and operated in a manner consistent with applicable legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines.
- Ensures humane treatment of animals while in holding and during slaughter; conducts ante-mortem and post-mortem inspections to ensure meat products originating from these facilities are fit for human consumption.
- Conducts facility inspections, risk-based audits, and responds to complaints.
- Conducts inspections to ensure the various components of fur farms are built to the specifications identified in the management plan and to ensure management practices are being followed.
- Career Development where you have access to career guidance, tools, resources, and ongoing training for every stage of your career.
- Engaging workplace. Our Employees feel valued, respected, connected, and tuned in. We have forward-thinking policies and strategies.
- Countless Career Paths.
- Department Specific Flexible working schedules.
Inspector (Specialist) 2 - Bible Hill, Canada - Government of Nova Scotia
Description
Competition # : 42027
Department: Agriculture
Location: BIBLE HILL
Type of Employment: Permanent
Union Status: NSGEU - NSPG
Closing Date: 21-Mar-24 (Applications are accepted until 11:59 PM Atlantic Time)
About Us
At the Department of Agriculture, our vision is to create a Nova Scotia agriculture and agri-food industry that is diversified, market-focused, healthy, and profitable. We work to support the development of competitive, sustainable, and profitable agriculture and agri-business industries that contribute to the economic, environmental, and social prosperity of Nova Scotia.
About Our Opportunity
Reporting to the Manager, Agriculture Inspection Services, the Inspector Specialist plays a key role in the enforcement of the Animal Protection Act, Meat Inspection Actand Regulations , and the Fur Industry Act and Regulations. Working within a regulatory environment, you will ensure that producers, abattoirs, and meat processors are operating in compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines. You will implement compliance-related activities to ensure humane treatment of farm animals, humane slaughter of animals intended for the food chain, meat of animals entering the food chain is fit for human consumption, abattoirs and meat processors are being maintained and operated in a manner to ensure food safety, and that fur farms are following management plans that protect the environment and well being of the animals.
Primary Accountabilities
Working closely with their manager, the program veterinarian, and program coordinator, the Inspector Specialist conducts the activities:
Animal Protection Act
Meat Inspection Act and Regulations
Fur Industry Act and Regulations
Qualifications and Experience
The successful candidate should have completed a related trade, technical training, or degree in a related field and have six years of related experience after the course completion; or an equivalent combination of training and experience may be acceptable.
To be successful within this role, you must be able to quickly identify non compliances, as well as be able to determine the signs of distress, injury, or related issues in farm animals as well as a strong understanding of farm animal husbandry, care, handling, feeding, and sheltering of farm animals.
Proficient computer skills and report writing will also be essential within this position.
In addition to the above, you will demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills, the ability to plan, organize, as well as interpret and explain legislation and technical matters. You will be able to solve complex issues, make decisions, be self-motivated, versatile, work independently, and manage difficult or confrontational situations with ease.
Training in any of the following would be considered an asset: Food Safety; Meat Processing; Animal Welfare; Regulatory Enforcement; Veterinary Technology; Animal Health Technology.
You must have regular access to a reliable vehicle and a valid driver's license.
Equivalency
Applicants relying on education and experience equivalencies must demonstrate such equivalencies in their application.
Benefits
Based on the employment status and Union agreement, the Government of Nova Scotia offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Life Insurance, Pension, General Illness (Short and Long Term), Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs. Click here to learn more about our various benefits offering and eligibility criteria.
Working Conditions
You will be required to work at least 35 hours per week. Shifts will vary and may be up to 12 hours in length. Depending on the region an employee is hired into, they will be expected to work throughout that region - Western or Eastern. Occasionally, an employee will be scheduled to work outside their home region. Must be willing to work overtime, when needed. Occasional holiday work may be required. Must be able to be on feet for long periods of time and be able to lift up to 50 lbs
Additional Information
Please note there are permanent and several temporary positions available ("term", "temporary", or "casual") is dependent on the start date of the successful candidate. Successful candidates will be required to train in conducting Farm Animal Welfare, Meat and Fur Industry Inspections. The division of the work assigned will based upon ongoing operational requirements.
What We Offer
Pay Grade: TE 24
Salary Range: $2, $2,777.49 Bi-Weekly
Employment Equity Statement:
Our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative, at all job levels, of the citizens we serve. The Government of Nova Scotia has an Employment Equity Policy, and we welcome applications from Indigenous People, African Nova Scotians and Other Racially Visible Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Women in occupations or positions where they are under-represented. If you are a member of one of these equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on your electronic application.
This is a bargaining unit position initially restricted to current civil service employees represented by the Nova Scotia Government Employees Union (NSGEU). If applying from outside a government office, employees must apply correctly via this link:
Failure to apply correctly means that your application will not be given first consideration as a bargaining unit applicant, and will only be included if external applications are pursued.
External applicants and current casual employees will only be considered if there are no qualified civil service bargaining unit candidates. PLEASE NOTE: Candidates will not be considered for an interview if applications are incomplete or are missing information.
Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. All questions and concerns may be directed to