Aquatic Animal Health Officer

**Department of Primary Industries and Regions**
**Job reference**: 630080
**Location**: 5024 - WEST BEACH
**Job status**: Ongoing
**Eligibility**: Open to Everyone

**The Opportunity**

We have an opportunity for an Aquatic Animal Health Officer to be part of our Fisheries and Aquaculture Division within the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

Aquaculture is the fastest growing livestock industry in Australia. Aquatic diseases, however, can rapidly destroy businesses and impact aquatic animal resources. Disease is a major limiting factor for fisheries and aquaculture industries. The Aquatic Animal Health Program, which is part of the Aquaculture Unit within the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division, provides operational and strategic oversight to safeguard South Australia’s fisheries, aquaculture, and natural resources from aquatic diseases.

The Aquatic Animal Health Officer, within the Aquatic Animal Health Program, will deliver on critical PIRSA functions such as disease prevention, disease management and early detection of disease. This includes investigations to rule out infectious and notifiable disease, livestock translocation assessments and regulating off-label veterinary medicine use in aquaculture. This role will also lead and implement surveillance for the early detection of Pacific Oyster Mortality Syndrome (POMS) in Pacific oysters across South Australia and contribute to other cost-recovered core work and externally funded projects within the aquatic animal health program.

The role reports to the Manager, Aquatic Animal Health Program and will liaise and work with other South Australian, State and Federal government agencies to facilitate the effective management of aquatic animal health issues in South Australia. The role will represent PIRSA in stakeholder meetings and may act for the Manager, Aquatic Animal Health Program on aquaculture and aquatic animal health related committees. The role will work closely with staff members within the Fisheries and Aquaculture Division and other Divisions of PIRSA including Biosecurity and the South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI).

The incumbent needs to work in a highly collaborative and consultative manner and contribute to delivering the agency’s priorities including increasing productivity of primary industries, secure production, enable market access, and build partnerships with industry and stakeholders.

**About Us**

South Australia is internationally recognised for the quality of its agriculture, food, and wine. Our regions are the backbone of our state and the economic powerhouse that drives prosperity for all South Australians.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is a key economic development agency working in partnership with our primary industries, regional stakeholders and across all levels of government to advance the prosperity and sustainability of South Australia’s primary industries and regional communities.

We are a passionate team of around 800 people working across metropolitan and regional South Australia to develop and protect our state’s regions and food, wine, aquaculture, fisheries, forestry, grains, livestock, dairy and horticulture industries.

**Benefits**

At the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, we offer our employees challenging and rewarding work with opportunities for career progression, learning and development and flexibility.

**Our Commitment to Diversity**

**Special Conditions**
- Successful applicant will be required to satisfactorily complete a National Police Check (NPC) prior to being made an offer of employment.
- Ongoing opportunity.
- Full time, 37.5 hours per week.

**Requirements**:

- Possession of a current driver’s licence and willingness to drive.
- Out of hours work and inter / intrastate travel may be required.
- Australian residency or current works permit is required (responsibility of applicant to provide evidence of a current work permit).
- The incumbent will be required to undertake emergency management training and must be willing to participate in emergency preparedness, response and recovery activities required by government agencies.

**Remuneration**

PO2 - $88,255 min - $97,667 max per annum, plus superannuation

**Enquiries**

Dr Matthew Bansemer

Manager, Aquatic Animal Health Program
Phone: 8429 2100

**Application Instructions**

If you are interested in this opportunity, please see the attached applicant instructions, and outline your skills and experience in relation to the Professional and Technical Knowledge, Planning and Organising (Work Management) and Communication capabilities of the attached role description.

Applicants must include the contact information of at least 2 referees with 1 being your immediate supervisor/manager and a completed “Pre-Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector” form.

**Applications close**: 16/11/2024 11:45 PM