Job Title:Veterinary InspectorEmployer:Department of Agriculture, Food and the MarineCounty:DublinClosing Date:3pm, Thursday, 19th February 2026Starting Salary:€70,064About the Employer:The mission of the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM) is to serve the government and people of Ireland by leading, developing and regulating the agri-food sector, protecting public health and optimising social, economic and environmental benefits.The agri-food sector encompasses all primary agriculture, forestry and the food processing industry, including seafood.The Department has a wide and diverse customer base which includes farmers, consumers, food processers and other commercial operators, those involved in sea fishing, forestry, bioenergy, research as well as EU institutions, other State Bodies and special interest groups.The Department's mission is encapsulated in the following four goals:• Agri-Food and Fisheries Policy, Development and Trade: Progressing, in collaboration with relevant sectors and State Bodies, the further development of the agri-food and marine sector including the achievement of Food Vison 2030 targets.• Food Safety, Animal Health and Welfare and Plant Health: Maintaining the highest standards of food safety, consumer protection, animal health and welfare and plant health.• Rural Economy, Marine and Environment: Promoting economic, social and environmentally sustainable farming, fishing and forestry.• Effective Delivery of Schemes and Services: Further enhance our human and technological capabilities to provide effective and responsive services for all clients.The work of the Veterinary Inspectorate encompasses four primary functions, that of inspection, operational control and certification across livestock and food production systems, in the development of policies across the One Health One Welfare landscape, in support of international trade and market access of Irish produce and in providing policy advice to Ministers.About the Role:Veterinary Inspectors play a vital role in protecting public health, the human food and animal feed chains and safeguarding the health and welfare of the national herd. Successful candidates will be entrusted with critical responsibilities related to various services. VI's operate as part of, and work within, a broader DAFM multi-disciplinary team leading, enabling and regulating the agri-food sector, through promoting and safeguarding animal and plant health and animal welfare for the benefit of consumers, producers, the economy and wider society.Veterinary Inspectors duties may include some or all of the following:• Being responsible for oversight of food business operator compliance with relevant legislation, as site managers of DAFM business at slaughter plants, and for meat inspection in DAFM approved meat, cutting, processing, storage and milk pasteurising plants;• Evaluating various premises/plants (slaughtering, processing, storage, milk pasteurisation, animal by-products, livestock marts, assembly centres and animal breeding premises) for approval and the application/enforcement of controls at such premises;• Performing audit functions as team leader or team member to ensure compliance with relevant legislation in a range of food production plants, animal by-product plants, lairages, marts and assembly points;• Supervising controls on animal identification and food safety management systems to ensure effective traceability systems that support food safety and animal health/disease controls;• Contingency planning and investigations of public health/food safety incidents, including liaison with Health Service Executive (HSE), Local Authorities and the Food Safety Authority of Ireland as necessary and in accordance with agreed protocols;• Ensuring compliance with the service contract with the Food Safety Authority of Ireland in approved DAFM food establishments;• Implementing animal health and disease eradication/control programmes across all farmed species – such as bovine tuberculosis, TSEs, salmonellosis, campylobacteriosis, BVD etc. – on farm and at meat plants - through the application of controls and enforcement and undertaking epidemiological investigations;• Promoting and enforcing animal welfare legislation, including on farm, during transport and at slaughter;• Providing exotic animal disease (e.g. Foot & Mouth Disease, Avian Influenza, African and Classical Swine Fever, Bluetongue etc.) preparedness and contingency planning activities, including participation in a 24 hour on call emergency response rota;• Performing audits/inspections of fish farms in accordance with a service level agreement with the Marine Institute;• Implementing checks and certification of live animals and products of animal origin (meat, milk, dairy, germinal and other products and by-products) for export and supervising quarantine systems/premises as necessary;• Implementing controls on animal medicines and the national residue control plan on farm and at slaughter plants and ensuring the collection of samples for laboratory examination;• Implementing controls on imported animals and products of animal origin to safeguard animal and public health, including Sanitary and Phytosanitary checks at Border Control Posts;• Supervising EU market support schemes at meat plants;• Working with, signing-off on, and determining follow up actions necessary in relation to work assigned to Technical Agricultural Officers;• Supervising Temporary Veterinary Inspectors in slaughter plants, Whole-Time Temporary Veterinary Inspectors and private veterinary practitioners on animal health/disease eradication work.About You:Candidates must:On or before Thursday, 19th February 2026:(a) Hold a degree in Veterinary Medicine recognised by the Veterinary Council of Ireland (VCI); and(b) Be eligible for entry on the register of veterinary practitioners held by the VCI1, and be registered prior to taking up any position offered; and haveGood knowledge and understanding of the services, controls, schemes, and programmes associated with the role of a veterinary inspector combined with a keen interest in state veterinary medicine;The ability to communicate effectively, clearly and concisely in English both verbally and in writing;Demonstrated experience of operating successfully both independently and in a team environment;The ability to prioritise multiple responsibilities, work under pressure and deliver in a timely manner;Good customer service skills and experience of dealing with the public;The ability to be adaptable and resilient;Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build and maintain relationships with stakeholders at all levels;Good IT skills including the use of Microsoft Office, Outlook and Excel;On the date of job offer, a current full driving licence, (Category B), valid in Ireland and have access to a car.The Closing Date for this competition is Thursday, 19th of February at 3pm.We are committed to a policy of equal opportunity and encourage applications under all nine grounds of the Employment Equality Act.