Regulatory Compliance Specialist

Role Responsibilities

The Meat & Dairy Inspection Section (MDIS) licenses and regulates approximately 120 red meat and poultry abattoirs, 195 mobile butchers, 47 mobile butcher facilities and roughly 270 On-Farm Slaughter Operations.

The Food Safety Branch intends to hire two (2) Regulatory Compliance Specialists to provide one-on-one specialized tailored coaching and assistance services to prospective and current provincial meat industry licensees. The focus is on supporting licensees in meetings, and wherever possible exceeding minimum regulatory requirements in the areas of food safety, animal welfare, facility infrastructure and other operational requirements, as well as providing key linkages to other supports and services. 
Additionally, this position will participate in various special projects with internal and external stakeholders supporting core meat inspection program requirements and contributing to strategic priorities.

As a Regulatory Compliance Specialist (RCS), your main responsibility will be to support licensed meat facility operators (primarily inspected; abattoir and mobile butcher facilities, but may also include uninspected OFSO and mobile butcher operations as needed) to increase regulatory awareness and compliance. This may include, but is not limited to, the following activities:

• Provide guidance, consultations and coaching through several possible formats regarding regulatory requirements and practical applications in the areas of food safety, animal welfare, waste disposal, facility infrastructure design and others. Requirements are pertaining to: 
  
  • Meat Inspection Act and Regulation (MIA/MIR)
  • Meat Facility Standards (MFS)
  • Meat & Dairy Inspection Section (MDIS) Directives, standard operating procedures (SOPs), policies or other AGI regulated legislation. (SRM, DDAR, etc.)
• Facilitate operator awareness of and linkages to opportunities to enhance business sustainability.
• Conduct on-site facility and operator need assessments.
• Develop and deliver onsite or virtual training and educational materials.
• Maintain current knowledge on national and global food safety system certification requirements that are above legislative requirements and give advice, coaching, and gap assessments to operators who are interested in achieving them.
• Influence and contribute to collaborative food safety efforts with regulatory stakeholders, 
• Participate in development and improvement of Meat Inspection Directives, SOPs, policies and guidelines, particularly pertaining to food safety and infrastructure. 
• Play a key role in the branch's Incident Command System (ICS) organizational structure and activities whenever required.

Please click on this link to view the job description for this position.

If you are a self-directed, results-oriented individual with a passion for educating and assisting people in the realms of food safety and animal welfare, this position may be for you! 

APS Competencies

Competencies are behaviors that are essential to reach our goals in serving Albertans. We encourage you to have an in depth understanding of the competencies that are required for this opportunity and to be prepared to demonstrate them during the recruitment process.

This link will assist you with understanding competencies:
https://www.alberta.ca/system/files/custom_downloaded_images/psc-alberta-public-service-competency-model.pdf.

Drive for Results – Works to exceed goals and partner with others to achieve objectives:

• Holds self and others responsible for results.
• Partners with groups to achieve outcomes.
• Aims to exceed expectations.

Agility – Works in a changing environment and takes initiative to change:

• Takes opportunities to improve work processes.
• Anticipates and adjusts behaviour to change.
• Seeks advice and support to change appropriately.
• Works creatively within guidelines.

Build Collaborative Environments – Facilitates open communication and leverages team skill:

• Genuinely values and learns from others.
• Facilitates open and respectful conflict resolution.
• Recognizes and appreciates others.

Develop Networks - Works on maintaining close relations with all stakeholders:

• Identifies key stakeholder relationships.
• Has contact with a range of interested parties.
• Influences others through communication techniques.

Qualifications

Requirements: 
Two (2) year technical diploma in Food Safety, Animal Science, Microbiology, Animal Heath or other related fields, plus minimum of four (4) years of directly related experience within the Provincial or Federal meat inspection or meat safety industry, or equivalent as described below.

Equivalence:  Directly related education or experience considered on the basis of 1 year of education for 1 year of experience, or 1 year of experience for 1 year of education.
Preference will be given to those with practical knowledge of meat slaughter and processing environments.

Assets:

• Knowledge and experience in the application of relevant regulatory requirements, standards and practices for slaughter and meat processing operations.
• Practical knowledge of meat slaughter and processing environments.
• Skilled in performing gap assessments and root cause analysis.
• Creativity to identify possible solutions for different operations while ensuring these will meet regulatory requirements.
• Experience in collaborating and partnering with other specialists.
• Excellent interpersonal skills in tactical communication, conflict resolution and relationship development.
• Ability to tailor assistance and communication to ensure delivery is effective for audience.
• Expertise in developing and presenting educational materials. 

The ability to work both independently and as part of a team while demonstrating the Alberta Public Service values of respect, integrity, accountability, and excellence are essential for success in this position.

Minimum recruitment standards outline the minimum education and experience required for appointment to a job classification. 
Refer to https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-minimum-recruitment-standards.

Notes

Position Information:

• Job Locations: Airdrie Region or Red Deer (Agriculture Regional Centre, Airdrie or Red Deer Provincial Building).
• Monday to Friday (08:15 am-16:30 pm).
• Hours of Work: 36.25 hours per week.
• Permanent full time.

Other Application Information:

• A cover letter is required with your application, outlining how your education and experience aligns with the role.
• Final candidates may be required to undergo a written test demonstrating writing skills and abilities pre or post interviews.
• Please indicate employment duration for all roles listed on your resume and whether you worked part-time or full-time. For example, January 15, 2006 – June 25, 2009: Assistant (PT three 8 hrs. shifts/week).
• This position may require final candidates to undergo a security clearance.
• Any costs associated with obtaining the required documents/checks as noted or interview travel expenses, will be the responsibility of the candidate. Out-of-province applicants can obtain the required documents/checks from the province they currently reside in.
• Valid Alberta driver’s licence.

Position Physical Requirements:

• Occasional presence at various site locations, including but not limited to: Frequent driving alone to facilities or meeting locations, occasional prolonged (2 to 3 hours one way) driving to some sites. 
• Occasional presence in meat facilities, including occasional presence in wet surface areas/environments (e.g. observing activities in facilities) and in environments that may use a firearm. 

Links and information on what the GoA has to offer to prospective employees.

• Working for the Alberta Public Service – https://www.alberta.ca/advantages-working-for-alberta-public-service.aspx.
• Public Service Pension Plan (PSPP) – https://www.pspp.ca. 
• Alberta Public Service Benefit Information – https://www.alberta.ca/alberta-public-service-benefits.
• Professional learning and development – https://www.alberta.ca/professional-development-support-directive.
• Research Alberta Public Service Careers tool – https://researchapscareers.alberta.ca.
• Positive workplace culture and work-life balance.
• Leadership and mentorship programs.