Biosecurity Officer

4 days ago


Newcastle, Australia Department of Agriculture & Water Resources Full time

APS 4 - $69,905 - $76,103 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Newcastle (NSW), Sydney (NSW) and Port Kembla (NSW)
- _Looking for people who enjoy working as part of a team._
- _Work in a dynamic, exciting and challenging environment._
- _Provide a high-quality experience for users of Australia’s biosecurity system._

**Who we are**
The Maritime Operations Section within the pathway conducts regulatory assessment and inspections of arriving international vessels to ensure compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements. Maritime Operations works with policy teams within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements.

**The Jobs**
The maritime environment is a diverse and dynamic working environment. As part of the maritime team, your responsibilities will include the delivery of biosecurity operations regulatory functions within the maritime working environment. In this role, you will be required to conduct a full range of inspection activities onboard commercial and non-commercial vessels as well as cruise vessels and military vessels.

The duties and responsibilities of this role include:

- conducting complex assessments to manage and monitor risks associated with the arrival of international vessels using internal systems such as the Maritime Arrivals Reporting System and the Scheduling Workload and Management System
- conducting biosecurity inspections and surveillance within the maritime working environment to determine compliance with the relevant legislation
- providing timely and accurate advice on complex biosecurity matters to internal and external stakeholders (including the maritime industry and other government partners)
- prioritising tasks including adapting to changing and competing priorities
- building and sustaining supportive, collaborative and effective working relationships
- promoting and modelling behaviour in accordance with the APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct
- promoting and complying with departmental Work Health and Safety and rehabilitation policies and guidelines

**Newcastle and Port Kembla positions**
- in addition to the above duties, the positions in Newcastle and Port Kembla will also perform a variety of cargo inspection activities which include machinery, export and general cargo inspections.

**Please note** that this recruitment process will be used to fill multiple vacancies across the three locations listed above. 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 also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- Previous experience in both the maritime and/or cargo pathway is highly desirable for the positions in Newcastle and Port Kembla as both regional ports cover inspections across multiple pathways.
- Experience working with a range of stakeholders.

**Eligibility and other requirements**
The successful applicants must:

- 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 the position will 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
- note that you will be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work
- 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 they must 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_
- note that the Biosecurity Foundation Program includes a 2-week period of full-time training at the Biosecurity Training Centre located in Wagga Wagga, NSW and that travel for this training is fully funded by the department.