• Ongoing Full Time, 35 hours per week 
• Location: Newington NSW
• Food Safety Officer Grades 1-3 - Salary from $76,841 to $125,720 per annum (FTE) plus super and leave loading, commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience.   

About the Role

The Strategy Regulatory & Policy Food Incident Response & Complaints (FIRC) team plays a critical role in responding to and addressing food safety risk and compliance in NSW. In this role, you will be directly involved in investigations of foodborne illness outbreaks. You will also be undertaking compliance inspections and investigations of a variety of NSW based food businesses to address food safety risks and maximise compliance with food safety legislation. This involves writing inspection reports and initiating enforcement action where appropriate. You will also assist in NSW DPI emergency management operations as required.

As our ideal candidate you will bring:

Demonstrated experience undertaking a range of compliance and enforcement action in a food regulatory environment. Responding promptly and effectively, often at short notice, to rapidly evolving issues and emerging noncompliance, you will need to be able to work independently and as part of a team. 

Experience as the first point of contact for many food businesses, you will need excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, to provide information and recommendations to business owners and engage with industry stakeholders to facilitate compliance in the food industry.

A high degree of judgment, conflict management, and client engagement skills to deliver required outcomes in a dynamic and high-volume environment with strict deadlines.

Ability to utilise delegated powers in accordance with established policies, procedures, and protocols to create consistency and transparency across compliance activities and be required to interpret and keep up to date with current and new legislation, policies and procedures.

Experience working across a wide range of food processing environments, from retail operations to large‑scale manufacturing facilities, encompassing a variety of food types. You will be able to demonstrate a strong understanding of the differing food safety, quality, and operational risks associated with these environments.

Essential requirements

• Tertiary qualifications in Science or Food Technology, or a related discipline
• Current Class C NSW Driver Licence as well as the ability and willingness to travel throughout NSW and interstate as required; and work outside normal working hours to achieve outcomes at short notice across a wide range of issues.

Desirable attributes

• Demonstrated practical experience in food production, manufacturing and processing and foodborne illness investigations.
• Excellent knowledge of Food legislation, including the Food Standards Code and Food Act 2003 (NSW)
• Excellent demonstrated knowledge of food safety, food technology and food microbiology including food pathogens.
• Previous demonstrated experience in high level enforcement action for breaches against food legislation.

For further information about the role please contact hiring manager Anne McIntosh, Manager Food Incident Response and Complaints on 0401 144 893 or anne.mcintosh@dpird.nsw.gov.au.

Please click here to view the role description.

Applications close: 28 April 2026, at 11:55pm AEDT

Applying is easy!

Please apply via our online portal and submit:

✅ A CV (approx. 4 pages)

✅ A cover letter (approx. 1 page) Tell us how your experience and skills make you a great fit for this role.

After applying:

• You’ll receive a confirmation email
• We’ll review all applications once the ad closes
• If shortlisted, you may be invited to interview (in person or Microsoft Teams video)
• Further assessments will follow (e.g. writing task, skills test, psychometric test)
• Reference checks will be completed for final candidates  
• The preferred candidate for this role may be required to undergo reference checks, a national police check, bankruptcy check, health assessment and/or other assessments as required.

Additional Information

• The salary offered to the successful candidate will be commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience, as outlined in the Crown Employees (Department of Regional NSW) Food Safety Officers Award and Progression Criteria. 
• A talent pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same type that may arise within the next 18 months. 

About us – together, we are DPIRD  

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) protects, supports and develops primary industries and regional economies.  

Collectively we support strong and sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, and regional economies. We actively manage our natural assets: our lands and soils, minerals, waterways and oceans, vegetation and forests.  

The department brings together:  

• Local Land Services  
• NSW Resources  
• Agriculture and Biosecurity  
• Fisheries and Forestry  
• Regional Development and Delivery.  

We have skilled and dedicated teams working in 200 locations across regional NSW. With nearly 5,000 employees, and 75 per cent of the DPIRD team living and working in regional NSW, we are embedded in the regions we serve. Learn more about the benefits of joining our diverse and talented DPIRD team.  

At DPIRD, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity, cultural heritage, disability, religion and sexual orientation.  

DPIRD is a proud Disability Confident Recruiter, Family Inclusive Employer and Carer Friendly Employer

We are committed to ensuring every stage of the recruitment process is accessible and free from barriers. If you require adjustments or information in an alternative format to participate, please contact talent.advisory@dpird.nsw.gov.au   or the hiring manager listed for a confidential discussion.  

We also understand that work is just one part of life. Our Family Inclusive Employer and Carers + Employers Accreditations reflect our commitment to supporting employees to balance work and family responsibilities.