• Part-time, Continuing position  
• Salary Level HEW 8 + 17% Superannuation and Flexible Working Arrangements 
• Based at the Bundoora campus, but may be required to work and/or be based at other campuses of the University 

About The Position:

The Senior Animal Welfare Officer is an important and valued role at RMIT, responsible for ensuring the welfare of animals used in research and teaching at RMIT is maintained at a high standard.

Senior Animal Welfare Officers provide clinical veterinary services and are the principal source of professional and technical advice to key RMIT stakeholders on best practice in animal welfare. They also have a significant role in facilitating appropriate training of RMIT personnel and ensures that activities involving animals proceed in accordance with the Australian Code for the care and use of animals for scientific purposes, relevant legislation and regulations, decisions of the AEC and RMIT Policy.

The focus of the position is firmly on adopting a proactive rather than reactive stance and requires liaising internally with key stakeholders as well as externally with various bodies, including Commonwealth and State Government regulatory authorities.

Animal welfare is a continually evolving discipline requiring constant awareness and understanding of veterinary and scientific knowledge, ethics and compliance standards through reading and networking widely; further education and training; innovative problem-solving; leadership; communication skills; and enterprise.

To be successful in this position, you'll have:

• Relevant Veterinary experience in clinical practice and/or research environments, and currently registered, or eligible to be registered, as a veterinary practitioner in Victoria. 
• Demonstrable commitment to animal welfare, with a deep knowledge and understanding of relevant Codes, legislation, and regulations, as well as an empathetic understanding of laboratory animal science for the management of laboratory animals and animal facilities. 
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to act sensitively and diplomatically. Due to the confidential and sensitive nature of information handled by this position, the demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality and to use discretion wisely is essential. 
• Strong interpersonal, influencing and negotiating skills with the ability to relate well to staff at all levels as well as external parties, and a preparedness to proactively engage with stakeholders to negotiate complex and contentious issues and achieve timely and appropriate resolution. 
• A demonstrated ability to proactively identify issues, trends, and imperatives in respect to animal welfare, ethics and governance strongly and make recommendations for ensuring compliance and continuous improvement, including improved policy, procedures and pratices. 
• Experience and interest in coordinating and, where appropriate, delivering professional training and education in the field of laboratory animal science and animal welfare, including maintaining appropriate training records. 
• Proven ability to work effectively as a member of a team and collaborate, as well as to work autonomously, with an emphasis on professional excellence and continuous improvement. 
• Demonstrated history of behaviour aligned to the RMIT values and professional capability framework.

Qualifications:

A degree in Veterinary Science and registration, or eligibility for registration, in Victoria.

Desirable: A postgraduate research degree in a relevant discipline such as veterinary science, microbiology, pathology, immunology, molecular biology or other biomedical science. Membership of Australian Veterinarians in Animal Welfare and Ethics, a special interest group of the Australian Veterinary Association, Australian New Zealand Laboratory Animal Association and/or other relevant professional associations is also encouraged.

Please Note: Appointment to this position is subject to passing a Working with Children and National Police Check.

About the Portfolio

RMIT's Research and Innovation Portfolio supports researchers to help shape the world. The portfolio has an engaged, energetic, talented and collaborative team focused on enabling excellent research and innovation outcomes.

With a global presence, community, and industry connections, we support cutting-edge research and careers that make a positive impact on communities.

The Research and Innovation Portfolio supports researchers and graduate researchers with research partnerships, grants and research contracts, funding opportunities, capability development, research training, ethics and integrity, intellectual property, commercialisation, internships, communication, and profile.

Find out more about research and innovation at RMIT University and the Research and Innovation Portfolio at:

http://www.rmit.edu.au/research/

To Apply

Please submit your CV and covering letter addressing your suitability for this position by clicking on the 'Apply' link below.

For further information about this position, please see Position Description below or contact Dustin Nguyen - Talent Acquisition Advisor via email Dustin.nguyen@rmit.edu.au

Applications close on the 6th of December at 11:59 pm.

About RMIT

RMIT is a multi-sector university of technology, design and enterprise with more than 95,000 students and close to 10,000 staff globally. RMIT offers postgraduate, undergraduate, vocational education and online programs to provide students with a variety of work-relevant pathways.

Our purpose is to offer life-changing experiences for our students, and to help shape the world with research, innovation, teaching and industry engagement. With strong industry connections forged over 130 years, collaboration with industry remains integral to RMIT's leadership in education, applied and innovative research, and to the development of highly skilled, globally focused graduates.

Our Culture

Our Values inspire us, wherever we are in the world, and guide how we live and work together.

Imagination. Agility. Courage. Passion. Impact. Inclusion.

What unites us is our purpose and our values; they are at the heart of who we are, what we stand for, how we make decisions and connect with each other.

Our people make everything at the University possible. We encourage new approaches to work and learning, stimulating change to drive positive impact. RMIT exists to create transformative experiences for our students, getting them ready for life and work. You will be a part of a productive and collaborative team, who values working relationships and outcomes through open and inclusive planning, continuous information sharing and transparent work practices.

Bring Your Whole Self to Work

We are better for our diversity. When we listen to those who are different to us, or challenge us, we grow stronger together. When we feel like we belong, we can achieve so much more. We respect each other, embrace our differences and build a sense of belonging in our team and beyond.

We are proud that our dedication to diversity has been recognised by a broad spectrum of external organisations. Visit our Linkedin Life pages to learn more and see some of our most recent wins.

RMIT has a strong dhumbali (commitment) to the employment, development and retention of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people within a culturally safe environment; we strongly encourage applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

RMIT is a Disability Confident Recruitment Team and we are happy to adjust the recruitment process for your accessibility requirements. Please contact us at TalentSupport@rmit.edu.au telling us your preferred type of communication and we will be in touch as soon as possible to discuss your requirements.

RMIT is an equal opportunity employer committed to being a child safe organisation. We are dedicated to attracting, retaining and developing our people regardless of gender identity, ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability and age. Applications are encouraged from all sectors of the community and we strongly encourage applications from the Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander community.

Please note that whilst we still accept applications from any persons interested in our roles, due to the impacts of COVID-19, we are currently prioritising applications from those with current working rights in Australia and who are not affected by travel restrictions. Please see the latest updates to Australia's immigration and border arrangements during the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak: https://covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au/

We are a Circle Back Initiative Employer - we commit to respond to every applicant.