The Fisheries Compliance Unit is currently looking for suitably experienced, professional and dedicated people to join our team. We currently have four District Fisheries Officer positions available, based at Dareton, Dubbo, Tweed Heads & Port Stephens.

You will be joining the Fisheries Compliance Unit within the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Fisheries. This team is responsible for administering fisheries laws governing the fisheries resources of the state. The teams spend a significant number of hours on patrol, detecting and preventing illegal fishing to reduce risk to fish stocks and aquatic habitats. Have a look at some of the great work we do on YouTube and the DPI Fisheries Facebook Page.

Details to note

1. Excellent chance to join a team protecting the fisheries resources and aquatic habitat of the state.
2. Current vacancies are attractively located at Dareton, Dubbo, Tweed Heads and Port Stephens.
3. All positions are full-time ongoing opportunities, offering a starting salary of $109,421 + super including shift loadings prescribed by the Fisheries Staff Award.
4. Transferred Employees Compensation Award (TECA) or negotiated provisions of TECA may be applied to internal applicants for the roles located at Dareton and Dubbo.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) is the department dedicated to growing primary industries and supporting regional economic development to deliver long term benefits to the state. Our focus is to protect, support and develop our primary industries, mining sector, and regions.

The department brings together Agriculture & Biosecurity; Forestry & Fishing; Local Land Services; NSW Resources; Regional Development & Delivery; the Regional Growth NSW Development Corporation; NSW Public Works and Soil Conservation Service.

We have nearly 5,000 employees, with almost 80 per cent of us living and working in regional NSW.

Diversity and inclusion are core values of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development is a workplace where everyone is able to contribute and participate to their full potential, and we are proud to have a team that reflects the richness and complexity of the regional NSW communities we serve.

About the Role

In your new role as a District Fisheries Officer (DFO) within the Fisheries Compliance Unit, you will have the opportunity to lead and supervise a small team of Fisheries Officers within your designated district of responsibility with a focus on risk-based fisheries compliance activities. Duties will include planning and managing fisheries compliance programs and operations, conducting compliance patrols, and liaising professionally with a broad range of stakeholders.

You will also need the skills and experience to allocate resources to meet compliance objectives, drive priorities, exercise sound judgement, prepare and present evidence, compile and review prosecution briefs, and generate reports in line with Fisheries Compliance policies.

As a District Fisheries Officer you will be:

• Coordinating fisheries compliance activities using a risk-based approach.
• Planning and managing fisheries compliance programs and operations.
• Conducting compliance patrols and planned operations, land based, estuarine and offshore.
• Liaising with clients, members of the public and external stakeholders.
• Preparing evidence, offence reports, briefing notes and correspondence.
• Presenting evidence in court.
• Ensuring financial and operational efficiencies are achieved within your area,.
• Leading and developing staff capability with a small team of fisheries officers.
• Leading, encouraging and developing staff capability and potential.
• Writing and reviewing draft media releases, prosecution briefs and Director briefs.
• Maximising voluntary compliance and creating effective deterrence's to illegal fishing within NSW.
• Detect, investigate and report on illegal fishing activity.
• Operating in accordance with Policy and Procedure Manuals, Fisheries Compliance Work Instructions and the Code of Ethics and Conduct.

About You - What You Need to Apply

To be considered for this role, in your application you need to demonstrate that you meet the following essential criteria:

1. Experience in developing, implementing and evaluating risk-based compliance plans.
2. Experience in building and managing effective stakeholder relationships.
3. Experience in detecting, investigating and reporting offences.
4. Experience in leading and developing staff capability and potential in a small team.
5. Participate in fisheries patrol duties (including extended and offshore) and planned operations to optimise compliance outputs.

In addition to the above it is critical that you have the following in line with the Crown Employees Fisheries Staff Award which includes:

• Current manual driver's licence, and capability to drive a manual and four-wheel drive vehicle.
• Current Coxswain's certificate of competency or equivalent (A boat licence is not sufficient).
• Colour vision.
• Swimming ability (200m).
• HSC or Equivalent.

As part of the recruitment process for this role you will be required to complete a Police check, health/medical assessment and other assessments as required.

A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role or role type that may become available for filling over the next eighteen months.