Biosecurity Officers

APS 4 - $69,905 - $76,103 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Melbourne (VIC) amd Perth (WA)

**Who we are**
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry works to enhance our agricultural industries and trade, and manage the threat of biosecurity risks to Australia. The Biosecurity Operations Division (BOD) takes a regulatory approach to the implementation of effective border controls to manage biosecurity threats. The division delivers its functions across defined pathways, including cargo, mail, conveyances, food and travellers. Border controls include, but are not limited to inspection, assessment, community engagement and contact centre services. The division also provides husbandry services for animals and plants through its post entry quarantine facility.

Pathway Operations - Travellers and Mail delivers regulatory screening and inspections of goods, at the border to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity requirements.

Travellers and Mail Section 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 a risk-based operating model. The pathway has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities.

**The Jobs**
The main duties of a Biosecurity Officer in Pathway Operations - Travellers and Mail may include, but are not limited to:

- performing a range of screening, inspection and assurance related activities associated with international aircraft, air and sea passengers, crew and international mail
- assessing documentation to confirm compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements
- managing goods that do not comply with import requirements and capturing information to support evidence-based decisions
- providing timely and accurate advice on biosecurity matters to stakeholders/clients and senior managers
- 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 and including the APS Code of Conduct and Values
- promoting and complying with departmental WHS and Rehabilitation policies and guidelines and being alert for and reporting risks to local management and WHS
- providing on-the-job coaching and assisting and supporting other employees on biosecurity issues.

**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 18 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 18 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 18 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.

**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
- 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 is required in all international airports/ports and you will be required to wear a mask as directed in the course of your duties.

**Training**
Applicants 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_. The training will include a 2-week period at the Biosecurity Training Centre located in Wagga Wagga, NSW. The training will be full time and travel will be fully funded by the department.

**For additional information, please read the Job Description below.