Animal Health and Welfare Officer

Are you interested in contributing to the advancement of animal health, food safety as well as the promotion of animal welfare in Ontario? If so, please consider this opportunity to play a role in monitoring compliance with Ontario's animal health and welfare regulatory programs. Please Note: This position offers remote flex work arrangements, however, attendance at designated site offices will be required from time to time or as needed.

OPS Commitment to Diversity, Inclusion, Accessibility, and Anti-Racism:

We are committed to build a workforce that reflects the communities we serve and to promote a diverse, anti-racist, inclusive, accessible, merit-based, respectful and equitable workplace. We invite all interested individuals to apply and encourage applications from people with disabilities, Indigenous, Black, and racialized individuals, as well as people from a diversity of ethnic and cultural origins, sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions. Visit the  OPS Anti-Racism Policy and the  OPS Diversity and Inclusion Blueprint pages to learn more about the OPS commitment to advance racial equity, accessibility, diversity, and inclusion in the public service. We offer employment accommodation across the recruitment process and all aspects of employment consistent with the requirements of Ontario's  Human Rights Code . Refer to the "How to apply" section if you require a disability-related accommodation.

What can I expect to do in this role?

• conduct inspections at facilities in Ontario, including but not limited to livestock sales, livestock medicines and pound facilities to monitor compliance with animal health and welfare statutes and regulations
• assist producers/owners and facility operators in identifying and assessing animal health and welfare risks
• serve as a technical resource related to the interpretation of animal health and welfare statutes, regulations, codes of practice and standards
• assist in the design and delivery of educational materials to industry stakeholders

How do I qualify?

Mandatory requirement:

• Valid G Ontario driver's license to travel to locations not accessible by public transit.

Technical knowledge:

• You have experience conducting animal health and welfare examinations and assessments.
• You have knowledge of biosecurity practices and acceptable euthanasia methods.
• You have knowledge of the statutes, regulations, codes of practice and standards related to animal health and welfare.
• You have knowledge of animal behaviour, livestock husbandry and are able to employ appropriate animal handling techniques.

Communication and interpersonal skills:

• You have oral communication skills to explain technical information, regulations, codes of practice and standards to producers/owners and facility operators.
• You have written communication skills to prepare inspection reports, educational materials, project plans, warning letters and various other documents.
• You have interpersonal skills to sustain positive relationships in potentially adversarial and emotional situations.

Influence and persuasion skills:

• You are able to persuade producers/owners and facility operators to adopt and implement appropriate animal health and welfare practices and standards.
• You are able to promote and influence compliance with animal health and welfare regulations.
• You have mediation, conflict resolution and negotiation skills to effectively impact and influence the actions of others when there are differing opinions and conflicting interests.

Analytical and problem-solving skills:

• You have experience conducting inspections, identifying animal health and welfare risks and situations of non-compliance.
• You are able to develop and implement risk management plans or solutions based on identified risks and gain compliance.
• You are able to proactively assess industry needs with respect to existing/emerging animal health and welfare issues.
• You are able to manage complex issues involving multiple regulatory statutes/programs and overlapping authorities.