Infringement Officer

New Zealand Government – Auckland, North IslandSalary: $66,331 - $77,226 a yearEmployment Type: Full timeThis is a small but mighty team that supports our front line, our Kaitiaki here in Auckland to protect our native environment, Taiao from pests and diseases that could potentially enter through our borders by any method such as vessel or aircraft. Our Infringements team, on average handle up to 12,000 Infringement notices a year and this position is key to supporting our infringement systems and processes to guide offenders and frontline staff through relevant infringement workflows as required.The team covers infringements across multiple areas such as Border Clearance, Fisheries Compliance & Animal Welfare Compliance. We also issue infringements on behalf of the RNZ (Royal New Zealand) SPCA and NAIT, National Animal Identification and Tracing.When our front-line officers become aware of a prohibited item or offence being committed, they issue an infringement notice to the offender. The infringement notice that has been issued makes its way to our team and we then follow up for payments. Offenders have the right to request a review or dispute the infringement that has been issued; some cases can be tricky to process. If an offender refuses or forgets to pay, we would work alongside our Prosecution and Compliance Teams to prepare documents for a hearing or referrals for collection action with the Ministry of Justice. This could also affect their entry next time into the country.Day to day, an infringement officer would:Receive calls or email correspondence from the public with queries about their infringement notice.Handle requests disputing an infringement notice or requesting this to be waived or reviewed.Issue reminder notices and take payments.Prepare documents for a hearing or referrals for collection action with the courts.Collaborate with in-house lawyers on complex cases that require help or advice from subject matter experts.This role will open your eyes to a diverse range of aspects about the law; not everything is black and white, and in this role, no two days are ever the same. Mostly, you will support and aid Biosecurity Officers or Airport staff and work closely with our wider colleagues in the prosecutions and support team, you may need some subject matter experts from time to time.We are looking for a Kaitaki, someone with strong customer service and a business administration background, who will be proud to support our frontline staff with processing infringement notices, with a thirst for learning along the way.You may have even been exposed to working in a legal environment or voluntary work that may have opened your eyes to some aspects of law.To be successful in this role, you will demonstrate:Experience dealing with customer service complaints and queries, and can deal with issues in a diplomatic and discreet way.Self-motivation to become a subject matter expert in your field.An ability to connect and relate to a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds, both written and orally.Ability to work autonomously and experience in tackling complex situations with high diligence.Extensive understanding and use of Microsoft Suite applications.An interest and/or understanding of law or legislative rules that may apply to the primary sector or an ability to be able to read a section within the ACT, but this can be learnt on the job through mentoring & coaching from in-house lawyers or senior team members if required.This regionally based team is situated in our main MPI offices close to the airports around the country consisting of one Technical Support Officer Legal in Auckland, a Team leader, and Infringement Officer in Wellington, and an Infringement Officer in Christchurch.Even though we are spread throughout the country, we connect well together online. We make work fun and light-hearted and connect through constant communication via daily stand-ups, teams chat, email, or phone calls. We are all happy to pick up the phone and discuss our day-to-day and proactively problem-solve together. We share our learnings as a team and improve systems and processes where we can. MPI offices generally celebrate public or personal occasions such as cultural celebrations of personal work achievements, etc., so when there is a celebration, our team is happy to be involved with our wider MPI office colleagues.Our role includes:Seizing export opportunities for our food and fibre sector.Improving sector productivity.Ensuring the food we produce is safe.Increasing sustainable resource use.Protecting New Zealand from biological risk.Benefits:Annual Wellness payment.Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation.Mentoring and coaching programmes.Nga Taki Whakahaumaru - Security checksLow level Security ClearanceMost preferably a New Zealand citizen, who has resided continuously in New Zealand for at least the last five (5) years, ORIs a citizen of, and/or has resided continuously in one or more of the following countries for the last five (5) years: either Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom (UK), or the United States of America (USA); and has a background history that is verifiable and can be assessed as appropriate by the New Zealand Security Intelligence Service (NZSIS) towards a recommendation of suitability for a security clearance at this level.If you do not meet these minimum criteria, we will not be able to accept your application.We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, which includes working closely with iwi, hapu, whanau, and hapori.We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatu Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.In your cover letter, we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes, and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.To view the position description and/or apply online, please click "APPLY FOR THIS JOB" or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it.Applications close at midnight on Friday 1 November 2024.If you have any questions about the role, please email ******
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