Meat Inspector Specialist 2 (Casual Relief)

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 Meat Inspection Act and Regulations. Working within a regulatory environment, you will ensure that abattoirs, and meat processors are operating in compliance with relevant legislation, regulations, policies, and guidelines. You will implement compliance-related activities to ensure humane slaughter of animals intended for the food chain, meat of animals entering the food chain is fit for human consumption, and abattoirs and meat processors are being maintained and operated in a manner to ensure food safety.

Primary Accountabilities

Working closely with their manager, the program veterinarian, and program coordinator, the Inspector Specialist conducts the activities:

Meat Inspection Act and Regulations

• 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.

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 severity of 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.

Preference is to those with previous training and experience in any of the following: 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 a Defined Benefit Pension Plan, Health, Dental, Life Insurance, General illness, Short and Long Term Disability, Vacation and Employee and Family Assistance Programs.  For information on all our Benefit program offerings, click here: Benefits for government employees.

Working Conditions

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. 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 several casual relief positions available.  Preference will be given to those that have previous Meat Inspection experience. The division of the work assigned will based upon ongoing operational requirements.

What We Offer

• 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