Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland (GRI) is a commercial semi-state body which is responsible for the control, regulation, development and promotion of the greyhound industry in Ireland. The Head Office function is located at Green Park, Dock Road, Limerick. GRI and the industry is going through a period of change and reform with the introduction of the Greyhound Racing Act 2019 and the implementation of an ambitious care and welfare programme.

RCÉ has licensed a total of 14 tracks in Ireland of which 9 are directly operated by Greyhound Racing Operations Ireland, a wholly owned subsidiary of RCÉ and the remainder are operated by private enterprise. RCÉ operates Tote betting and other facilities at all greyhound tracks. RCÉ under its subsidiary company Event Hospitality Services operates bars, fast food outlets and high-quality restaurants in 8 of its developed stadia.

RCÉ, through its activities, is a significant contributor to economic, social and cultural activity, particularly in rural areas. Funds generated from racing activities are reinvested in the greyhound racing industry including the promotion of greyhound welfare, the regulation of the industry and the operation of the national drug testing laboratory which is located in Limerick.

RCÉ wishes to make a senior executive appointment as Director of Veterinary Services to strategically manage and drive veterinary care, systems to manage medications along with general care and welfare of greyhounds. The position of Director of Veterinary Services is a key role within the organisation and in underpinning activities in the wider greyhound industry. The candidate’s reporting line is to the Chief Executive Officer.

Applications are therefore invited for the following position:

Job Title: Director of Veterinary Services

Contract Type: Permanent / Full Time

Location: HQ Greenpark, Dock Road, Limerick, Ireland

Objectives: To play a key role in supporting the Chief Executive Officer and Board in developing and managing the veterinary function of RCÉ particularly in the areas of integrity, care & welfare and medication control.

Key Responsibilities and Duties:
 

The responsibilities of the position will include:

General:

• Provision of advice on veterinary issues generally to RCÉ.
• Participation in RCÉ interaction with stakeholders and representative bodies.
• Organisation of the preparation and delivery of education programmes for stakeholders in areas of relevance to the post.
• Management and supervision of staff.
• Where required, supervision and/or direction of veterinary practitioners employed at racetracks.

Doping and medication control:

• Developing a future strategy and doping and medication control in greyhound racing.
• Participating in and organising the work of the Scientific Advisory Committee in co-operation with its Chairman.
• Development and coordination of any research projects needed to underpin actions in the area of doping and medication control.
• Proposing to the Board with the advice of the Scientific Advisory Committee, a list of controlled and prohibited substances, and the levels at which such substances in samples threaten the integrity of racing.
• Developing and implementing a testing programme both on and off course.
• Participating in the prosecution of disciplinary cases where infractions of the rules of racing relating to doping and medication control have been detected.
• Liaising with relevant government bodies, An Garda Síochána, Customs & Excise, the State Laboratories and agencies and animal sports bodies both in Ireland and abroad.

National Greyhound Laboratory (NGL):

• Overseeing the operations of the NGL in relation to the doping and medication functions of RCÉ.
• Ensuring that the necessary analytical processes are properly performed in accordance with approved methodologies.
• Reviewing from time-to-time processes and methodologies in operation at the NGL.

Animal welfare:

• The provision of veterinary advice to RCÉ and matters relating to the welfare of racing greyhounds.
• Veterinary input to the development and implementation of a welfare strategy for the greyhound industry.
• Participation, as required, in the work of RCÉ as a regulator of greyhound welfare.
• Maintaining an oversight and management role in the policies and operations of the Irish Retired Greyhound Trust

Key Skills and Competencies:

Education and Preferred Behaviours and Competencies:

• Be a veterinarian eligible for registration with the Veterinary Council of Ireland.
• Have at least five years’ experience in a Regulatory environment and in the enforcement of legislation.
• Be familiar with legislation controlling the use of animal remedies in Ireland and its implementation.
• Be familiar with legislation controlling the feeding of animal by-products (ABPS) to animals in particularly Category 2 and Category 3 and its implementation.
• Be familiar with sampling regimes and detection methods used for residues of pharmacologically active substances and their metabolites in various samples taken from animals.
• Have knowledge of animal health and welfare legislation, including the Welfare of Greyhounds Act and methods of enforcement.
• Have an understanding of laboratory operations and processes.

Hours of Work

The role is a full time 37.5 hours per week, 5 days week normally Monday to Friday but may vary depending on the needs of the business.

Rásaíocht Con Éireann (RCÉ) / Greyhound Racing Ireland is an Equal Opportunities Employer