Detector Dog Capability Manager

APS 6 - $85,833 - $97,454 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Brisbane (QLD), Melbourne (VIC) or Sydney (NSW)
- _Work in the department’s detector dog program to ensure optimal capability is achieved. _
- _Engage with various stakeholders to identify initiatives for the detector dog program. _
- _Develop, maintain and implement governance material for the detector dog program._

**Who we are**
The Pathway Policy Cargo and Conveyances Branch (the branch) is responsible for determining, developing, and enabling the strategies, regulatory frameworks, tactics and interventions that manage biosecurity and other risks within the transport and trade pathways into Australia. This branch brings together how the department detects and responds to biosecurity risk and non-compliance, including through deploying surveillance and verification tools and capabilities such as detector dog teams and x-rays. The branch sets operational policy for the biosecurity clearance of all air and sea cargo, conveyances and ports, seasonal pests and policy assessment related matters.

The Detection Capability and Emerging Technology Section work to deliver a more seamless border experience by improving our ability to detect biosecurity risks across the traveller, mail and cargo pathways. The Detection Capability team develops and trials new detection systems to improve the effectiveness of border screening, including through the development and management of the detector dog program and x-ray capability.

**The Job**
The Detector Dog Capability Manager will provide specialist technical advice and support to the department’s nationally dispersed detector dog teams to ensure the efficacy of the detector dog program is maintained. The person in this role will also engage with internal stakeholders to identify opportunities and evolve the detector dog deployment capability and practice to meet the demands of emerging biosecurity risks.

The duties of the Detector Dog Capability Manager may include, but are not limited to:

- providing technical advice and support to operational detector dog teams within geographically dispersed locations
- engaging with internal stakeholders to:

- ensure operational detector dog teams are used efficiently and effectively
- identify initiatives for operational detector dog teams that will support pathway priorities and objectives
- reporting on the performance, effectiveness and utilisation of operational detector dog teams, and providing timely recommendations and support
- working with the section’s Policy and Communications Team to develop, maintain and implement detector dog policy, procedures and governance material
- performing a broad range of administrative functions related to the work of the detector dog capability team
- maintaining records in accordance with legislative requirements and the department's records management, information security and privacy policies and requirements.

**Work location**
Please note that this position can be performed from our offices in either Sydney, Brisbane or Melbourne.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
- Significant experience in the training and deployment practices of operational detector dog teams are mandatory for this role.
- Demonstrated experience with, or the ability to rapidly acquire the knowledge of, the development of policy and governance documentation and processes relating to detector dog teams.
- A sound knowledge of, or the ability to rapidly acquire knowledge of, the department’s biosecurity operations.

**Mandatory qualifications**
Applicants must have obtained relevant qualifications in the deployment and training of detector dog teams.