Biosecurity Officer

APS 4 - $72,002 - $78,386 per annum plus superannuation
- Exports & Veterinary Services Division
- Melbourne (VIC) and Sydney (NSW)
- _Multiple ongoing vacancies in both Melbourne and Sydney._
- _Regulate imports and exports/inspect live animals and genetic material._
- _Work collaboratively as part of a great team._

**Who we are**
The Live Animal Section provides veterinary and technical assessments, inspections and certification for live animals and animal genetic material. These regulatory functions verify compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements for the import of live animals and animal genetic material and ensure compliance with importing country requirements and Australia’s export legislation for the export of live animals and animal genetic material. The teams comprise Principal Veterinary Officers, Senior Veterinary Officers, Regional Veterinary Officers, Biosecurity Officers and Administration Officers. The major areas of work include:

- the inspection and review of health certificates for imported dogs, cats, birds, laboratory animals, zoo animals, horses, rabbits and animal reproductive material
- the provision of export certification services for companion animals, aquatics, laboratory animals, zoo animals and animal reproductive material and the veterinary inspection and export certification of horses and livestock
- the management of transits/trans shipments of animals, the inspection and review of health certificates for fertile egg imports and the certification of prescribed goods exports.

**The Jobs**
As a Biosecurity Officer in the Live Animal Section you will perform a range of duties in a regulatory environment to assist with technical assessments, inspections and certification for live animals and animal genetic material. The primary duties of the positions include, but are not limited to:

- assisting in all live animal and reproductive material activities that support the team’s operational outcomes including:

- resolving moderately complex enquiries from internal and external stakeholders and providing information and advice as a representative of the work area
- reviewing and assessing import and export documentation
- maintaining and updating manual and computerised records
- scheduling inspection bookings of live animal and reproductive material imports and exports
- assisting in the preparation of certificates and permits for livestock, non-livestock species and reproductive material
- uploading updated information such as packing lists and flight details to the departmental system Tracking Animal Certification for Export (TRACE)
- accessing and interpreting work instructions and guidance material
- supporting Team Leaders with a range of duties including the preparation of schedules, organising rosters and reviewing processes and work instructions
- managing, modelling and monitoring compliance with appropriate standards of behaviour in line with the APS Code of Conduct and Values and the departments Core 4 values
- undertaking imported animal inspections (including imported horses) in accordance with operational procedures, work instructions and relevant WHS requirements
- the development of less experienced employees via coaching and on-the-job training in biosecurity functions
- providing advice and feedback to others on work practices, procedures, projects and other task and activities
- contributing to a positive and supportive team environment.

**Please note** that we have multiple ongoing vacancies available in both Melbourne and Sydney. 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 and non-ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- Experience working in an operational regulatory environment.
- Experience working within a regulatory framework.
- Knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge, of the department’s activities and the role of a Biosecurity Officer in the Live Animals Section.
- Knowledge, or the ability to quickly acquire such knowledge, of departmental processes and systems such as AIMS and ELSA.

**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.