• Contribute to frontline biosecurity surveillance for invasive weeds, invertebrate pests and plant diseases in northern Australia and neighbouring countries. 
• Work in a motivated and professional team with a wide range of skill sets and backgrounds. 
• Work in a supportive and stable environment.

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

• Identifies and evaluates the unique biosecurity risks facing northern Australia.
• Develops and implements measures to support early detection of targeted pests, diseases and weeds across northern Australia.
• Contributes to national and international initiatives relating to biosecurity including capability and capacity building through training and education in tropical biosecurity.
• Engages with Indigenous Rangers and other remote community stakeholders on measures supporting biosecurity service delivery.
• Contributes to the department’s biosecurity preparedness/response initiatives in northern Australia.

The Job

We are looking for an enthusiastic and skilled Senior Botanist with demonstrated field experience and botanical skills to join the NAQS team in either Cairns or Darwin. 

The successful applicant will contribute to surveillance delivered by the NAQS plant health team in Qld or NT and WA, and will work closely with other federal, state/territory government staff, Biosecurity Engagement Officers and Indigenous Rangers, deliver an integrated biosecurity surveillance program across northern Australia. There may be opportunities for offshore surveillance in near neighbour countries.

Please note that this non-ongoing position is set for an initial period of eighteen months with the possibility of the role becoming ongoing/permanent at the end of this time. If the role becomes ongoing/permanent, it will be re-advertised for competitive selection with the successful applicant offered ongoing employment.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

• Strong field plant identification skills and experience, including identification of horticultural/agricultural, weed and native species. 
• Demonstrated knowledge and skills in specimen collection and preservation techniques. 
• An understanding of the scientific, technical and policy aspects of weed and plant pest and disease surveillance. 
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups 
• Experience working in remote locations and using Work Health and Safety principles to reduce risk.

Mandatory qualifications

• A tertiary qualification in biological science, environmental science or agriculture.