Team Leader

APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
- Mickleham - VIC
- Make a Real Impact: Play a key role in protecting Australia’s agricultural industry by ensuring the safety and health of plants and animals in quarantine. Your work will directly contribute to maintaining Australia’s biosecurity.
- Leadership Opportunity: Take on a leadership role where you’ll guide a dedicated team, influence change, and develop innovative solutions within a dynamic and rewarding environment.
- Diverse and Hands-On Work: Enjoy a varied role that blends hands-on animal care, compliance oversight, and team management in a unique quarantine facility setting.

**Who we are**
The Post-Entry Quarantine Group (PEQ) is responsible for the post arrival quarantine of plants and animals at the Mickleham Post-entry Quarantine Facility located on the outskirts of Melbourne. The Mickleham PEQ Facility is purpose built for accommodating high risk plants, horses, cats, dogs, ruminants, birds and bees while undergoing post-entry quarantine. Working in partnership with plant scientists and veterinarians, we ensure that all plants and animals passing through the facility meet all necessary requirements to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements for their safe import and that the health and welfare of the plants and animals is maintained throughout the period of their stay in PEQ.

The Animal Team facilitates the import of cats, dogs and horses for industry stakeholders and clients. The management of cats, dogs and horses within quarantine is undertaken in low to medium biosecurity containment facilities with all activities being performed to manage risk associated with biosecurity and animal welfare. This is a seven day a week, 24 hours a day operation. This is where you play an important role. As a Team Leader, you’ll be responsible for overseeing a team and ensuring that operations run smoothly in line with our department’s goals. You’ll play a key role in guiding change, contributing to business planning, and making important decisions. You will be a leader who can think outside the box, support the team, and create a positive work environment. As this is a hands-on role that can be physically demanding—you’ll be working with animals and may need to lift, push, carry, and clean animal crates and pens. Attention to detail is essential, as you’ll be responsible for checking paperwork and ensuring compliance, both in the field and in the office.

**The Job**
As a Team Leader, your role involves a mix of leadership, animal management, and regulatory responsibilities. Here’s a breakdown of what you’ll be doing:

- Team Leadership: Oversee the daily operations of your team, managing workloads, and ensuring quality assurance. You’ll also help with tasks like preparing shift rosters to keep things running smoothly.
- Communication & Collaboration: You’ll regularly liaise with internal and external clients, such as security personnel, facility management, Veterinary Officers, industry grooms, and private vets, to achieve the best biosecurity and welfare outcomes for the animals in quarantine.
- Problem-Solving & Providing Advice: Providing timely and accurate advice on complex animal biosecurity and welfare matters to employees, stakeholders/clients and senior managers.
- Prioritisation: Handle multiple tasks, adapt to changing priorities, and manage resources effectively to meet service delivery standards.
- Continuous Improvement: Contribute to projects and business initiatives aimed at improving operational performance and biosecurity risk management.
- Compliance & Safety: Ensure your team adheres to appropriate standards of behaviour including the APS Code of Conduct and Values. You’ll also promote a safe, inclusive, and high-performing workplace, complying with Work Health and Safety legislation and policies.

**Please note **that 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 Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What are we looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
The successful applicants will have:

- Experience in leading, managing and supporting staff in an operational environment.
- Knowledge or an understanding of the department’s role in delivering national biosecurity operations, including live animal import conditions and biosecurity requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
- A sound knowledge and understanding of animal husbandry principles, including animal first aid and the identifying signs of sickness, including infectious and contagious diseases.
- Experience in the effective coaching and mentoring of staff.
- Ability to adapt, lead and support staff in changing environments.