Senior Biosecurity Officer

Description:

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 DAFF, 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 key duties of the position include
The Job

• Conduct various biosecurity inspections of aircraft, vessels, cargo and passengers. Review and update instructional and other reference material.
• Providing timely and accurate advice on complex biosecurity matters to employees, stakeholders, clients and senior managers.
• Conduct 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.
• Provide logistical support to NAQS scientific staff.
• Provide assistance with the identification, management and mitigation of WH&S issues as they apply to operational staff in northern Australia. Assist with other NAQS operational projects operational capability, including operational readiness as directed, for example field equipment purchases, vehicle fleet and maintenance.

Please note that 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.