Infectious Disease Control Officer at the Swedish Board of Agriculture

The Swedish Board of Agriculture exists to promote increased and sustainable food production and good animal welfare throughout Sweden. We contribute to a vibrant rural community. Approximately 1850 people work with us. The headquarters is located in Jönköping, but we also have significant regional operations.

We actively work to ensure our employees are sustainable and enjoy their jobs! We invest long-term in our employees and want them to develop together with us! We offer a good working environment with generous benefits, including up to 35 vacation days, wellness grants, and wellness time. In many of our positions, we offer flexible working hours, the possibility to work remotely, and to work part of the time from home.

The mission of the Swedish Board of Agriculture includes ensuring that animals are not imported into the country in violation of applicable regulations, as they may pose a risk of spreading infectious diseases. The Animal Import Unit works with issues related to the import of live animals and breeding material. When animals are brought into the country without meeting the regulations, the unit decides to take appropriate biosecurity measures.

JOB DESCRIPTION

The unit currently consists of 13 employees and is organized into three groups, each focusing on a specific number of animal species and related responsibilities. The size of the groups varies between 3 to 5 people. This means you will have a particularly close collaboration within your group, focusing on specific animal species. In addition, the unit collectively monitors the unit's shared mailboxes, staffs the phone for high-priority calls, and handles general public inquiries.

As an infectious disease control officer, you will have daily contact with individuals, businesses, authorities, or other stakeholders involved with animals, primarily via phone or email. You will assist customers and other stakeholders with answers to questions about what is required to bring animals into Sweden or export animals to another EU country. The unit is responsible for all animal species, including dogs and cats, aquatic animals, birds, livestock, zoo animals, or laboratory animals.

Your responsibilities include:

• Processing and making decisions on what should happen to animals that are stopped at Sweden's borders or found in the country after being brought in illegally. These cases are event-driven and require you to make decisions under time pressure while maintaining calm and legal certainty.
• Processing various types of applications such as permits to import certain animals, approval of facilities, or exemptions from applicable regulations.
• Preparing statements for the Government Offices and participating in expert group meetings within the EU.
• Collaborating with other authorities such as the Customs Authority, the Swedish Veterinary Medical Agency, and others.
• Responding to inquiries via phone and email, giving presentations, and participating in conferences.
• Participating in forums, networks, and conducting reporting at the national and EU level to exchange information and share knowledge.

The position may involve working on other tasks within the department's area of responsibility or working in the Swedish Board of Agriculture's crisis organization. The job may require travel, both within Sweden and, in some cases, to other countries, primarily within the EU.

QUALIFICATIONS

We are looking for someone with an academic degree. You could be a veterinarian, lawyer, agronomist, or have another education that we consider suitable. You also have several years of experience in public authority operations and are therefore well-versed in interpreting and applying regulations, conveying this verbally and in writing in a way that the customer understands.

The position requires excellent knowledge of Swedish and English, both spoken and written. You also hold a B driver's license as travel is required in the position.

Experience in control work of any kind is an asset, where you have previously worked on developing guidelines, risk analyses, control plans, etc., to increase the effectiveness of the control.

Additionally, knowledge or experience in relevant industries for the unit is advantageous, as you will use this in your dialogue with customers, authorities, and external as well as internal partners within the unit and department.

We are looking for someone who is stable, with a well-developed ability to work under time pressure and handle setbacks productively. This ability will serve you well in contacts with our customers and generally, as the work pace is high and the operations are event-driven.

You are also a good communicator and have the ability to build new relationships. This will be beneficial as the unit aims to increase collaboration with other authorities as well as enhance dialogue with relevant industries.

You are a solution-oriented person with a strong drive to achieve results, which is crucial for you to thrive and succeed in your work. You enjoy working in an environment where there is not always a clear path to the goal; you solve challenges that arise along the way while maintaining focus on your goal. We place great importance on your personal abilities.

OTHER

The work location is Jönköping, with the possibility of working part of the time remotely.

It is important to us that all skills in the labor market are utilized. We welcome all applicants and strive for diversity. We typically apply a 6-month probationary period.

In preparation for the recruitment process, we have decided on recruitment channels and marketing. Therefore, we do not wish to be contacted by advertisement sellers or recruitment companies.