Perform entomological & botanical surveillance activities at border locations to prevent the establishment of exotic plant pests/diseases in Australia

• National Border Surveillance is one of our most important surveillance programs
• Work on the frontline protecting Australians from exotic plant pests & diseases
• The role has the perfect mix of field and office work

The Job

This position will undertake and support surveillance activity, with key duties including but not limited to:

• working as part of the national NBS team to ensure effective, consistent, accurate and timely implementation of surveillance methods and the recording and reporting of NBS activities
• coordinating and participating in biosecurity surveillance activities, noting that this will involve working outside and conducting field surveillance and monitoring activities throughout the year
• the procurement, maintenance and management of surveillance devices and consumables
• ensuring effective scheduling and planning of surveillance in line with the department’s annual surveillance priorities and during pest response situations
• client and stakeholder public relations and feedback or reporting
• assessing high priority plant pest targets in your area and their associated risk pathways
• prioritising on ground surveillance based on resources and risk analysis
• ensuring accurate collection and reporting of data as well as consistent and timely (up to date) data entry
• undertaking targeted priority pest surveillance research or trials
• operating as part of the national NBS team, ensuring diagnostic tasks are performed in a timely and accurate manner including triage of specimens in the field or laboratory
• preparing surveillance specimens for laboratory diagnosis and, where required, long-term preservation and storage in the department’s reference collections
• sourcing appropriate literature and diagnostic tools
• liaising with diagnosticians for more complex identification purposes
• liaising with clients, stakeholders and government agencies to manage surveillance operations and mitigation of biosecurity risk, as necessary
• promoting and ensuring compliance with departmental WH&S policies and guidelines and being alert for and reporting risks regarding WH&S issues
• supervising and managing the performance of a small team, including building and sustaining productive, positive, respectful relationships among team members and facilitating regular, constructive feedback and communication where required
• providing technical, administrative and managerial guidance to team members on key pests of biosecurity concern and helping to implement NBS activities where required.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

The successful applicant will have:

• experience in planning, managing and conducting pest surveys or surveillance activity
• knowledge and experience in entomology, plant pathology and/or botany
• an understanding of the application of WH&S principles in office and field-based contexts

Mandatory qualifications

A tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable) in the area of biological science, environmental science, agriculture, entomology, botany or plant pathology and demonstrated relevant experience in field surveillance (minimum 1 year).

Eligibility and other requirements

The successful applicant must:

• hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification
• hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
• note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
• note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work
• note that you will be required, from time to time, to work in difficult, remote and harsh environments (possibly for extended periods) under limited supervision or in teams
• wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy
• wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
• note that you must satisfactorily complete the department’s Biosecurity Foundation Program and meet the minimum requirements in order to be appointed as a Biosecurity Officer under the Biosecurity Act 2015.