Job description
Agency Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Work unit Livestock Biosecurity – Biosecurity and Animal

Welfare
Job title Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer Designation Senior Professional Officer 2
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $157,334 - $171,482 Location Darwin
Position number 43603 RTF 357473 Closing 01/11/2026
Contact officer Sue Fitzpatrick Chief Veterinary Officer on 0407 498 003 or [email protected]
About the agency www.industry.nt.gov.au
Apply online https://jobs.nt.gov.au/Home/JobDetails?rtfId=357473
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY
QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with
disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss
this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Primary objective
Provide strategic leadership and expert veterinary advice to deliver livestock biosecurity projects which maintain and enhance trade and
market access for Northern Territory livestock and livestock products.

Context Statement
This position is a senior leadership position within the Livestock Biosecurity Branch and will be required to act in the role of Chief
Veterinary Officer and Chief Inspector of Livestock in their absence.

Key duties and responsibilities
1. Provide expert policy advice, critical analysis and high-level reporting to senior executives, government,



industry and national

forums on animal health, welfare, biosecurity and market access issues.
2. Provide strategic leadership and management of the livestock biosecurity Unit operating across the Darwin, Katherine, Tennant Creek

and Alice Springs regions fostering a culture of safety, accountability and collaboration.
3. Lead the planning, implementation and evaluation of trade and market access programs aligned with government priorities.
4. Represent the Northern Territory on national committees, working groups related to animal biosecurity and welfare.
5. Develop and maintain strong partnerships with the livestock industry and other stakeholders on matters relating to livestock

biosecurity, welfare and market access.
6. High level strategic advice and reporting to government executive and industry on animal biosecurity issues.
7. Provide leadership in emergency disease and pest animal and plant responses in the Northern Territory.

Selection criteria
Essential
1. Relevant tertiary qualification in Veterinary Science and eligibility for registration in the Northern Territory.
2. Extensive experience leading animal health and welfare, biosecurity or regulatory programs within government or industry sectors.
3. Highly developed knowledge and experience in animal biosecurity,



disease surveillance and livestock trade and market access systems

at the state, territory and national or international levels.
4. Demonstrated experience providing strategic policy advice, conducting complex analysis and influencing decision-making in a

government, regulatory or industry environment.
5. Proven ability to lead and manage multidisciplinary teams operating across regional and remote locations, including workforce

planning, performance management and workplace health and safety responsibilities.
6. Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in animal disease surveillance and disease control in livestock and the ability to

plan and implement regulatory, research or extension projects.
7. Robust stakeholder engagement, communication and negotiation skills, with a demonstrated ability to develop productive

partnerships across government, industry and community sectors.
8. Highly developed written communication skills, including extensive experience preparing complex briefs, submissions, reports,

correspondence and strategic documents.
9. Demonstrated ability to lead organisational change, manage competing priorities and deliver outcomes in a dynamic and complex

operating environment.

Desirable
1. Relevant postgraduate qualifications or emergency animal disease response competency.
2. Knowledge of Northern Australian livestock industries, pastoral system and the unique biosecurity challenges associated with

northern Australia.

Further information
To be considered for this position you must be able to travel to regional areas and work outside normal business hours to support
emergency management activities.

📌 Deputy Chief Veterinary Officer (Darwin)
🏢 Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
📍 Darwin