Technical Officer – Contractor

Classification                 APS 5

Division                          Biosecurity Animal

Branch                            Animal and Biological Imports

Location                         Canberra, ACT – 18 Marcus Clarke Street, Canberra City ACT 2601

Hours                              37.5 hours/week

Security Clearance       Baseline – or the ability to obtain a baseline clearance

Who we are:

The Biosecurity Animal Division within the Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment works to maintain and enhance trade and market access for animals and animal products. The division undertakes risk analyses for animals and animal products (terrestrial, avian, and aquatic) and assesses applications for the import of live animals, biological materials, and animal genetic material. The division also provides policy and technical advice on marine pest biosecurity, and works collaboratively with Australian industries, governments, and the community to strengthen Australia’s animal disease prevention, preparedness, and response capabilities. Working closely with stakeholders, the division maintains and enhances the health and sustainability of Australia’s animal, animal products sectors and environment, and supports human health in Australia and overseas. The division also provides leadership and strategic direction on domestic and international animal health issues and facilitates the export of live animals and animal genetic material by negotiating animal health protocols and animal health certification with overseas authorities.

The Animal and Biological Imports Branch (ABIB) implements biosecurity policies to allow for the safe movement of animals, animal products and genetic material into Australia. The activities of the branch include the provision of technical advice to staff, importers and stakeholders, development and publishing of import conditions, instructional material and other guidance material, and assessing import permit applications and issuing import permits. They also have responsibility for engaging with internal and external stakeholders on a range of issues including the provision of technical advice. The branch also performs assurance activities to verify the effectiveness of import conditions and measures designed to mitigate biosecurity risk.

The Job:

The Commodity Assurance and Business Improvement (CABI) section sits within ABIB. The CABI team performs assurance activities to verify the effectiveness of import conditions and the measures designed to mitigate biosecurity risk. CABI produces commodity-based (e.g. dairy, microalgae, live cats) reports which provide import analytics and recommendations to the section responsible for that commodity. These reports include trade overview, trade analysis, and the results of import clearance and inspection activities. CABI also run verification activities. Non-compliant activity and other biosecurity risks are identified and highlighted in the findings of each report.

The CABI team also coordinates the findings and recommendations of internal and external reports (e.g. Inspector General of Biosecurity and ANAO) which impact ABIB. The team implements many of these recommendations. The CABI team also coordinates legislative updates on behalf on the division.

As a Technical Officer in CABI, you will work with a dedicated group of officers who are committed to maintaining and improving Australia’s biosecurity system. The successful applicants will need to have strong analytical skills and deliver quality work.

Duties of the roles include:

• Developing a strong understanding of Australia’s animal biosecurity risks, policy and operations.
• Collecting and collating import data.
• Analysing trade and import data for animal and biological products to help identify emerging biosecurity risks across import supply chains.
• Interpreting and presenting data.
• Developing conclusions and preparing findings and recommendations.
• Preparing reports.
• Interacting with stakeholders.
• Developing a robust understanding of biosecurity legislation.
• Working with other sections and the departments legal team to update legislation.
• Strong organisational and coordination skill

Please note that the engagement is for a period of up to 12 months, including a 3-month probation period.

What we are looking for:

Knowledge and experience

Knowledge or previous experience in any of the following would be advantageous:

• An understanding of Australia’s biosecurity system.
• Experience in a scientific field.
• Experience in a regulatory environment.
• Experience as an analyst.
• Collating and analysing complex data.
• Experience in conducting assessments and providing recommendations.

Skills and capabilities

Successful applicants will work as a member of a small team and possess the following skills and capabilities:

• Knowledge of animal diseases that may pose a biosecurity risk to Australia and controls applicable to their management.
• Research and analytical skills.
• Attention to detail with a focus on producing high quality and accurate work.
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with a range of internal and external stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Mandatory qualifications

A tertiary qualification in a relevant area of biological, agricultural, or environmental science is mandatory.

Eligibility and other requirements

Citizenship – To be eligible for employment with the Department of Agriculture, Water, and the Environment you must be an Australian citizen.

Pre-employment Check – Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 3 months.

Baseline Security Clearance – You must hold or have the ability to obtain baseline security clearance issued by the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency (AGSVA).

Work Health and Safety Obligations

All workers (APS1-Secretary) have a duty to take reasonable care for their own health and safety whilst at work, to ensure their acts or omissions do not adversely affect the health and safety of other persons and to comply with any reasonable instruction given to comply with the Work Health and Safety legislation.

All supervisors and managers (APS5-EL1) play a significant role by modelling safe work behaviours and clearly setting the standard for acceptable behaviour in the workplace. Supervisors and managers play a critical role in supporting ‘Officers’ to exercise due diligence and in consulting with duty holders.

An Officer (EL2-Secretary) makes and participates in making decisions that affect the whole or a substantial part of the department. Employees at the SES Band 2 and above classification are considered to be Officers under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 (Cth) with all EL 2 and above required to complete officer due diligence training. Officers have a duty to be proactive and continuously ensure that the department complies with relevant duties and obligations.

Contact

Name:                                     Yvette Hill

Phone number:                       6272 4657

Email address:                        Yvette.Hill@awe.gov.au

Closing Date

Applications close:                  20th May 2022