Job title: Biosecurity Officer – Affirmative Measure – Northern Peninsula Area (NPA)
Company: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Job description:
- APS 3 – $66,422 – $74,302 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
- Other
Who we are
The Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division (BPSSD) safeguards Australia’s plant health status to achieve, maintain and expand overseas markets, while protecting the economy and environment. The division includes four branches, which together focus on providing scientific analysis and technical advice, facilitating the safe importation of plants and plant products, improving systems, market access, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The division provides diagnostics, with advice on biosecurity risk and measures, and biosecurity training. The division conducts surveillance and response at first points of entry and approved arrangements sites nationally, and delivers plant, animal, and aquatic health surveillance in northern Australia. The division works closely with communities and Indigenous rangers and regulates biosecurity risk in the Torres Strait.
Science and Surveillance Group (SSG) is comprised of scientists, operations, and support staff responsible for regulatory advice and training, technical input to biosecurity policy, regulation activity in the Torres Strait and diverse surveillance and diagnostic services around Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.
The Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) is a program of the Department of Agriculture which operates across coastal northern Australia from Broome in Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland and includes Torres Strait. NAQS contributes to the delivery of national biosecurity objectives through:
- Identifying and evaluating the unique biosecurity risks facing northern Australia
- Managing the biosecurity aspects of border movements through Torres Strait
- Developing and implementing measures for the early detection of targeted pests, diseases, and weeds
- Contributing to national and international initiatives relating to pest and disease surveillance.
The Job
The Job Under supervision, the main duties of an APS 3 Biosecurity Officer may include, but are not limited to:
- Performing a range of inspections on goods, ships, aircraft, animals and assess documentation to confirm compliance with biosecurity requirements.
- Participating in community engagement activities and surveillance
- Providing timely and accurate advice on less complex biosecurity matters to employees, stakeholders, clients, and senior managers.
- Conducting NAQS field work, verification, surveillance, and community engagement activities as directed.
- Identifying data trends in biosecurity risks and escalating these to assist in targeting intelligence and risk-based activities.
- Providing logistical support to NAQS scientific staff.
- Providing assistance with the identification, management and mitigation of WH&S issues as they apply to operational staff in Northern Australia.
- Liaising with customers and clients both internally and externally
- Carrying out biosecurity inspections and activities of vessels, aircraft, cargo, and passengers in accordance with applicable legislation.
- Undertaking field work including assisting scientific staff as required, plant surveillance and insect trapping.
- Assisting with equipment, vehicle and vessel checks as required.
- Using computer applications to analyse, maintain and update data.
- Preparing reports, collect statistical data and submit within specific timeframes.
- Assisting defined activities under agreement with other Commonwealth agencies and perform other duties as directed.
Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill the vacancy. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made, the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of eighteen months.
Knowledge and experience
- Knowledge of the environment (coastal northern Australia from Broome in Western Australia to Cairns in Queensland) in which the Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy operates.
- Sound interpersonal skills coupled with the ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing with communities, clients, representative bodies, other government departments throughout Northern Australia
- Proven ability to work as part of a team.
- Sound understanding of WH&S issues.
- Demonstrated understanding of the APS Values and Code of Conduct.
- Experience in, or capacity to deliver, biosecurity inspection services in accordance with applicable legislative and administrative requirements.
- Demonstrated understanding of the culture and issues facing Indigenous Australians
- Strong working knowledge of the Torres Strait Treaty provisions.
- Ability to speak Torres Strait Creole would be highly advantageous
For additional information, please read the Job Description below.
Expected salary: $66422 – 74302 per year
Location: Western Australia – Cairns, QLD
Job date: Sat, 16 Mar 2024 06:37:33 GMT
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