Botanist

APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
- Perth, WA,Sydney, NSW
- Work as part of a national team of Botanists.
- Contribute to the Operational Science and Surveillance (OSS) team by conducting border surveillance and diagnostics and plant and seed material.
- City based location with both field and lab work components.

**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.

Operational Science & Surveillance (OSS) has four technical sections delivering diagnostic or surveillance activities; (1) Entomology, (2) Plant Pathology & Botany, (3) Surveillance, and (4) Technical Response. The Surveillance 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 Botany team sits under the National Border Surveillance team, and delivers both diagnostic and border surveillance activities for plant and seed material.

**The Job**
This position will, under the direction of the Senior Botanist contribute to the Operational Science and Surveillance (OSS) team by conducting border surveillance and diagnostics, with key duties including but not limited to:

- Undertaking botanical surveys at Biosecurity Entry Points (i.e. Approved Arrangements (AA’s) and First Points of Entry (FPoE)), primarily in metro areas but also at regional port locations within Australia as required.
- The identification of intercepted seed and plant material specimens collected by departmental officers during their duties, and the provision of risk management advice to Biosecurity Officers and other stakeholders as required.
- The development and maintenance of a seed and plant material reference collection/herbariums.
- The maintenance of accurate computer-based and manual records and the preparation of reports as required.
- Development and delivery of training and extension material for internal and external stakeholders including NBS Surveillance Officers.
- Liaise, negotiate and communicate with government agencies, industry bodies and other clients as necessary.
- Within the OSS operational environment undertake general administrative, planning and logístical functions associated with management of resources including laboratories, travel and other activities as directed, and display interpersonal astuteness, honesty and integrity when dealing with others.
- Promote and ensure effective implementation of APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct, WHS and Rehabilitation policies.

This position may require the occupants to work in harsh environmental conditions and in culturally sensitive areas in regional and/or remote areas. The successful applicant must have the ability to work and contribute within a team dispersed throughout Australia.

**Skills and Capabilities**
The successful applicant will have:

- Ability to work independently and as part of a nationally dispersed team.
- Demonstrated ability to undertake diagnostics for plants and seeds using light microscopy.
- Proven ability to perform field and laboratory tasks and management including preparation and storage of specimens, recording data and documenting activities.
- Good verbal, written and inter-personal communication skills.
- Willingness and ability to work out of hours as required, including over weekends and on public holidays as required.
- Demonstrated initiative, self-motivation and ability to commit energy and drive to see that goals are achieved to a high standard in an efficient and timely manner.
- Demonstrated ability to build and sustain productive, positive, respectful relationships within other staf