Question Depepartment of Agriculture Victoria

Principal Entomologist•  Manage and coordinate delivery of diagnostic functions and technical advice for arthropods of biosecurity concern.
•  Contribute to meeting the biosecurity challenges of the future.
•  Work in a motivated team with a wide range of skill sets and backgrounds.

Who we are 
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 Torres Strait and diverse surveillance and diagnostic services around Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.

The Operational Science and Surveillance (OSS) team has four technical sections, (1) Entomology, (2) Plant Pathology & Botany, (3) Surveillance, and (4) Technical Response, with a national network and laboratory facilities located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Collectively our work contributes to Australia’s favourable animal, plant and environmental status through the delivery of diagnostics services for pests, pathogens and plants/seeds, and biosecurity surveillance and response activities within Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry jurisdictions. The OSS team also provides technical, policy and pest mitigation advice and delivers training to departmental and industry staff.

The Job
Under the limited general direction of the Senior Principal Entomologist, the Principal Entomologist will contribute to scientific services and operational and policy advice. The duties may include, but are not limited to: 

•  the technical management, scientific leadership and oversight of OSS Entomology staff
•  coordinating key operational policy areas to support national consistency and ensure effective delivery of quality diagnostics, technical advice and related functions within geographic region/s of responsibility
•  liaising, negotiating and communicating with key sections within SSG, Plant Health Policy Branch and other internal stakeholders
•  providing technical and strategic operational input into the development of surveillance, diagnostics, quality and data management policies related to entomology
•  coordinating and/or supporting the implementation of new policy and operational documents across the entomology network
•  providing specialist risk-based biosecurity management advice
•  undertaking general and specialist diagnostics of insects and other invertebrates to a high level and in accordance with departmental policy, procedures and the laboratory quality management system
•  preparing invertebrate specimens for diagnostics and long-term preservation and undertaking high quality diagnostic imaging
•  contributing to the development and delivery of entomology-related training material, competency assessments and proficiency testing to ensure the validity and quality of results
•  working with key sections, being responsible for ensuring the appropriateness of methods and procedures for entomology diagnostics including sourcing literature, undertaking verification or validation of methods, ensuring the competency of personnel and participating in proficiency testing
•  working constructively with key sections to identify risks and opportunities to diagnostics and supporting the deployment of innovative diagnostic technologies and enhancements to improve outcomes
•  providing input and coordination of OSS Entomology professional development, including critical needs-based review and planning
•  providing leadership and oversight of OSS entomology molecular diagnostics
•  liaising, negotiating and communicating with technical specialists, government agencies, industry bodies and other clients
•  working independently or under limited guidance and with a high level of initiative, integrity and flexibility to lead and support the work practices of the team and the day-to-day operations of the laboratory
•  participating in pest inspections, surveillance and response activities
•  maintaining, with a high level of competency, accurate paper-based and electronic data and records in line with policy, data and quality standards
•  prioritising and managing time to provide efficient and effective services to meet internal and external client expectations, within a regulatory environment
•  promoting and ensuring compliance with departmental WH&S policies and guidelines, and being alert for and reporting risks regarding WH&S issues.

Please note that this role may be able to be performed from any of the locations listed on the job description. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
A significant aspect of this position involves leadership, coordination and the operational application of policy and technical knowledge and expertise. The successful applicant will have:

•  demonstrated experience working with, and well-developed knowledge of, insects, arachnids and/or particular invertebrate pests of biosecurity significance to Australia
•  practical experience in performing accurate morphology-based identification of invertebrate specimens (additional experience in molecular diagnostics would be advantageous)
•  an extensive knowledge of the Australian biosecurity environment and the application of pest risk mitigation measures in complex and challenging scenarios
•  experience in area technical management and oversight in relation to entomological diagnostics, technical advice and strategic direction
•  demonstrated experience in managing and motivating a team, coordinating complex tasks, prioritising effort to meet complex and changing operational needs, negotiating the resolution of issues or conflicting points of view and harnessing the skills and knowledge of the team
•  demonstrated experience in interrogation, analysis and reporting on statistical and diagnostic data utilising workplace information systems
•  a demonstrated understanding of and commitment to management of WH&S issues in a wide variety of work areas, including laboratories and in the field.

Mandatory qualifications
Tertiary qualifications (Bachelor degree) in agriculture, ecology or a related field that emphasises entomology.

Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicant must:

•  hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
•  note that relocation assistance is subject to negotiation
•  note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor, laboratory and office-based work
•  note that the position may require them to participate in an on-call roster (for which an appropriate restriction allowance will be paid) and be available to perform duty outside standard hours
•  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 intra and interstate travel is a requirement of the position
•  note that there may be a requirement to work out of hours (including on weekends and public holidays) to provide out of hours diagnostic support, participate in emergency response and other activities.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below. Candidate Information Package DOCX Opens in new window Candidate Information Package PDF Opens in new window Job Description Opens in new window How to apply: 

• Start your application by clicking the "begin" button.
• Login to an existing account or reset your password
• Preview Application Form Opens in new window

  By choosing to continue, you agree to the privacy policy. Show Privacy Notice Opens in new window