Assistant Director

EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Brisbane (QLD), Melbourne (VIC), Perth (WA), Sydney (NSW)

**Who we are**
The Cargo Operations Pathway delivers regulatory assessment and inspections of goods, across the biosecurity continuum (offshore, at the border and onshore) to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity and imported food requirements. Cargo Operations Pathway 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 within an integrated, risk-based operating model. The group has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities and major regional ports. Cargo Operations Pathway includes the Client Contact Group, Cargo Assessments and Cargo Inspections.

**The Jobs**
The role of an Assistant Director is to provide leadership to support the achievement of regulatory outcomes in line with the department’s business plan and BOD strategic direction. The successful applicants will need to influence change, while contributing to business planning and decision-making processes. They will also be required to demonstrate innovative leadership while providing support to and leading managers and teams in a national call centre regulatory environment. Responding to issues that arise outside of normal working hours may be required. Duties may include all or some of the following:

- Leading and taking responsibility for teams delivering regulatory services within geographically dispersed locations.
- Building capability of teams through coaching, performance feedback, conflict resolution and career development.
- Engaging and collaborating with internal and external stakeholders to identify opportunities, achieve outcomes and facilitate cooperation.
- Undertaking strategic planning to meet business objectives in line with sound decision making.
- Effectively manage competing priorities including delivering on complex project outcomes.
- Managing and developing well-researched policy and complex policy advice.
- Preparing reports, briefing papers, Ministerial correspondence, and discussion papers.
- Promoting the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code of Conduct.

**Please note** that this selection process will initially be used to fill several ongoing vacancies and that the roles may be able to be performed from any of the locations listed. 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 Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

**What we are looking for**
**Knowledge and experience**
The successful applicants will demonstrate:

- Experience in leading, managing and supporting staff to work collaboratively in a challenging, complex, and fast paced operational environment incorporating call centre functions.
- Knowledge or an understanding of the department’s role in delivering national biosecurity operations including knowledge of relevant legislation.
- Experience in implementing change and managing ambiguity in the workplace.
- Experience in the effective coaching and mentoring of staff.
- Experience in financial management including budget development, monitoring, reporting, and forecasting.
- High level writing skills with demonstrated experience delivering a range of written products including briefings for senior executives, minutes, ministerial responses, policy documents and technical documents.