Detector Dog Technical Supervisor

APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Brisbane, QLD,Perth, WA
- Want to work in government to support & protect our agriculture industry?
- Enjoy working with dogs whilst using your strong leadership skills?

**Who we are**
Traveller Policy and Operations & Human Health develops and implements policy and controls to manage biosecurity and human health risks at the border. The pathway also works to address emerging post border biosecurity detections and deliver integrated system solutions to facilitate/support effective regulation across traveller and mail trade pathways.

Detector Dog Operations provides detector dogs and their handlers with the capability to screen imported goods for biosecurity risk material. These services are delivered nationwide, with technical supervisors leading teams to ensure the proficiency of both handlers and dogs is consistently maintained in alignment with the department's business objectives.

**The Job**
This role involves supervising and providing technical support to Detector Dog handlers to achieve operational outcomes aligned with the department’s business objectives across multiple pathways and work areas. The successful applicants will be part of the leadership structure, possessing the ability to influence and lead change, while contributing to business planning and decision-making processes. They will also be required to demonstrate innovative leadership, offering supervision and guidance to handlers in a regulatory environment.
Detector dog Technical Supervisors are also Biosecurity Officers. If you are not a biosecurity officer, then you will be required to complete training to become one.

The duties of a technical supervisor may include some or all the following:

- Leading and managing the day-to-day operations of a team working in a regulatory environment, including managing workload and quality assurance activities.
- Managing the performance and attendance of an operational team towards the achievement of goals, including actively fostering employee engagement and development.
- Developing and maintaining the technical capabilities of teams from the trainee detector dog course and playing an active role in managing performance of detector dog operations.
- Related responsibilities include identifying, addressing, and reporting on barriers to detector dog team performance and utilisation and providing technical support to detector dog handlers.
- Collaborating closely with the national detector dog program and operational areas to deliver on priorities, initiatives, and projects.
- Effectively communicating, liaising, negotiating with and responding to internal and external clients, including government agencies and industry parties.
- Providing timely and accurate advice on complex matters to employees, stakeholders/clients, and senior managers.
- Prioritising tasks, adapting to changing priorities and making effective use of resources to ensure service delivery standards are met.
- Maintaining a well-developed and up to date knowledge of legislation, regulations and compliance frameworks and make decisions based on sound judgement.
- Exercise appropriate delegations in accordance with policy, processes, and guidelines.
- Promoting the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code of Conduct.
- Foster a culture of safety, diversity, inclusiveness, positive attendance, and high performance.

**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 where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What are we looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
- Proven experience in handling and training detector dogs, demonstrating a sound understanding of animal behaviour and training methodologies.
- Knowledge of or familiarity with the department’s role in delivering national biosecurity operations, including regulatory frameworks and practices.
- High level writing skills, with demonstrated experience delivering a range of written materials, such as reports, training manuals, and operational guidelines.
- Proficient in using electronic databases and other digital tools to manage information effectively and support operational needs
- Experience in leading, coaching and mentoring staff, fostering a positive and productive team environment.
- Clear understanding of the authority to exercise regulatory powers and the responsibilities that come with such authority.