National Border Surveillance (NBS) - Regional Coordinator Department of Agricult

National Border Surveillance (NBS) - Regional Coordinator Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - Darwin NT$81,690 - $89,615 a yearKnowledge and experience in entomology, plant pathology and/or botany. A tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable) in the area of…Just postedLocationDarwin NT BenefitsPulled from the full job description

• Uniform provided

 Full job description

• APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
• Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
• Darwin, NT

The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry is looking to fill the National Border Surveillance (NBS) team’s Regional Coordinator position in Darwin. The NBS program facilitates the early detection of pests that have escaped biosecurity control before they reach production areas or establish in the natural environment, the collection of intelligence on the susceptibility and vulnerability of biosecurity entry points to pest invasion, and the provision of feedback on the effectiveness of border-related biosecurity policies.

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 Surveillance Section is one of the four national Sections delivering diagnostic or surveillance activities within the Operational Science & Surveillance (OSS) component of the Science & Surveillance Group (SSG). The Section is comprised of the National Border Surveillance (NBS), Vector and Hitchhiker surveillance teams, and is led by a management team consisting of a Director, Assistant Directors and APS 6 Senior Surveillance Officers.

The Job
This position will undertake and support surveillance activity, with key duties including but not limited to:

• Working as part of the national NBS team to ensure effective, consistent, accurate and timely implementation of surveillance methods and recording and reporting of NBS activities.
• Coordinating and participating in biosecurity surveillance activities, noting that this will involve - working outside, conducting field surveillance and monitoring activities throughout the year.
• Procurement, maintenance and management of surveillance devices and consumables.
• Ensuring effective scheduling and planning surveillance in line with the department’s annual surveillance priorities and during pest response situations.
• Client and stakeholder public relations and feedback or reporting.
• Assessing high priority plant pest targets in your area and their associated risk pathways.
• Prioritising on ground surveillance based on resources and risk analysis.
• Ensuring accurate collection and reporting of data in line with the surveillance outcome.
• Undertaking targeted priority pest surveillance research or trials.
• Operate as part of the national NBS team, to ensure diagnostic tasks are performed in a timely and accurate manner including triage of specimens in the field or laboratory.
• Preparation of surveillance specimens for laboratory diagnosis and their long-term preservation for storage in the department’s reference collections.
• Sourcing appropriate literature and diagnostic tools.
• Liaising with diagnosticians for more complex identification purposes.
• Ensuring accurate, consistent and timely (up to date) data entry and reporting.
• Liaising with clients, stakeholders and government agencies to manage surveillance operations and mitigation of biosecurity risk, as necessary.
• Promoting and ensuring compliance with departmental WH&S policies and guidelines and being alert for and reporting risks regarding WH&S issues.

Skills and Capabilities
The successful applicant will possess:

• The ability to work independently and as part of a nationally dispersed team.
• Strong verbal, written and inter-personal communication skills and the ability to communicate with a diverse range of audiences.
• A demonstrated ability to record data, analyse information and prepare reports and documentation.
• Demonstrated initiative, self-motivation and the ability to commit energy and drive to see that goals are achieved in an efficient and timely manner.
• Demonstrated coordination skills and the capacity to think strategically.
• A demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive, positive, respectful relationships within a team, and with a diverse array of stakeholders.
• Sound data management skills including demonstrated competence in using programs such as Microsoft Office (Excel, Word and Outlook).

Knowledge and experience
The successful applicant will have:

• Experience in planning, managing and conducting pest surveys or surveillance activity.
• Knowledge and experience in entomology, plant pathology and/or botany.
• An understanding of the application of WH&S principles in office and field-based contexts.

Eligibility
Mandatory qualifications
A tertiary qualification (Bachelor’s degree is highly desirable) in the area of biological science, environmental science, agriculture, entomology, botany or plant pathology, and demonstrated relevant experience and experience in field surveillance (minimum 1 year).

Eligibility and other requirements
Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry you must be an Australian citizen.

Security Clearance - This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

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, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.

MSIC and ASIC Licences – If the position requires unescorted access within an aviation or maritime security zone, you will be required to obtain and maintain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) or Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC).

The successful applicant must:

• Hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification.
• Hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.
• Note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work.
• Note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.
• Note that you will be required, from time to time, to work in difficult, remote and harsh environments (possibly for extended periods) under limited supervision or in teams.
• 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 you must satisfactorily complete the department’s Biosecurity Foundation Program and meet the minimum requirements in order to be appointed as a Biosecurity Officer under the Biosecurity Act 2015.