Biosecurity Officers

APS 4 - $69,905 - $76,103 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Melbourne, VIC
- _Want to work in government to support & protect our agriculture industry? _
- _Interested/experienced in biosecurity, machinery or horticulture? _

**Who we are**
The Cargo Operations Pathway delivers regulatory assessment and inspections of goods, across the biosecurity continuum (offshore, at the border and onshore) to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity and imported food requirements. Cargo Operations Pathway works with policy and risk owners within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements, national standards and within an integrated, risk-based operating model. The group has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities and major regional ports.

Cargo Operations - Inspections are responsible for the inspection of imported food and goods, and the assessment of documentation to confirm compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements. The team are also responsible for managing goods that do not comply with import requirements and capturing information to support evidence-based decisions.

**The Jobs**
The main duties of a Biosecurity Officer in Cargo Operations - Inspections may include, but are not limited to:

- the inspection and clearance of various cargo commodities (for example fresh produce, machinery and used vehicles), both onshore and in some circumstances offshore, to confirm compliance with Australia’s biosecurity and imported food requirements
- the assessment of relevant import documentation to ensure compliance with relevant legislation/policy
- managing goods that do not comply with import requirements and capturing information to support evidence-based decisions
- providing timely and accurate advice on complex biosecurity matters to employees, stakeholders/clients and senior managers
- resolving complex operational and technical matters
- identifying trends in biosecurity risks and escalating these to assist in targeting intelligence and risk-based activities
- managing, modelling and monitoring compliance with appropriate standards of behaviour in line with departmental expectations including the APS Code of Conduct and Values
- promoting and complying with departmental Work Health and Safety (WHS) and rehabilitation policies and guidelines and being alert for and reporting risks
- providing on-the-job coaching and assisting and supporting other employees on biosecurity issues
- assisting, where required, operational pathways such as Maritime Operations with vessel inspections.

**Please note **that this selection process will be used to fill multiple vacancies, both ongoing and non-ongoing. Non-ongoing contracts will be offered for an initial period of eighteen months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of three years in total. Some of these non-ongoing position(s) may become ongoing in the next eighteen months. Should a position become ongoing then the merit pool established through this selection process may be used to fill the vacancy on an ongoing basis. 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 Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the division where the duties are of a similar nature.

**For more information on the day in the life of a Biosecurity Officer**, please click here.

**Eligibility and other requirements**
The successful applicant 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 you may 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 the wearing of face masks may be required, as directed, in the course of your duties
- note that there may be a requirement for travel to regional areas
- note that these positions may require extensive hours driving to inspection locations
- note that they must successfully 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