Avian Technical Team Leader

APS 5 - $81,690 - $89,615 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
- Mickleham, VIC
- Protect Australia’s Agriculture Play a critical role in safeguarding Australia’s agriculture by managing biosecurity risks for avian imports at a high-containment facility.
- Engaging, Hands-On Work Work directly with Veterinary Officers and industry reps, ensuring strict quarantine standards and animal health in a dynamic, collaborative environment.
- Growth in Biosecurity Gain specialised biosecurity skills, with opportunities for advancement in a vital and evolving field.

**Who we are**
The **Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division (BPSSD)** takes a regulatory approach to the implementation of effective border controls to manage biosecurity threats. The Division provides a contemporary, responsive, sustainable, intelligence-led and science-based plant biosecurity system that protects Australia's plant health status. The work of the division supports agricultural productivity, competitiveness and market access for plant and plant products imports and exports.

The **Post-Entry Quarantine Group (PEQ)** is responsible for the post arrival quarantine of plants and animals at the Mickleham Post-entry Quarantine Facility located on the outskirts of Melbourne. The Mickleham PEQ Facility is purpose built for accommodating high risk plants, horses, cats, dogs, ruminants, birds and bees while undergoing post-entry quarantine. Working in partnership with plant scientists and veterinarians, we ensure that all plants and animals passing through the facility meet all necessary requirements to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements for their safe import and that the health and welfare of the plants and animals is maintained throughout the period of their stay in PEQ.

The **Avian Team facilitates** the import of hatching poultry eggs and live pigeons for industry and other stakeholders. The management of avian species within quarantine involves the highest level of physical containment undertaken at the PEQ facility - Biosecurity Containment Level 3 (BC3). This is a seven day a week operation. On occasion, you may also assist other PEQ areas as operationally required.

**The Job**
This is where you will play an important role. With limited direction, you’ll oversee technical duties for managing avian imports in our high-containment BC3 avian facility. Leading a small team of Senior Biosecurity Officers, you’ll work alongside another Team Leader and the Avian Operations Manager, collaborating closely with the Biocontainment Team. This role requires working with intensive poultry techniques, including multiple daily showers in and out of units to meet strict BC3 standards. On occasion, you may also be required to assist in other commodity areas within the PEQ areas, such as companion animals, horses and plants, as operationally needed. What you’ll do
- Manage avian import processes and biosecurity operations in a high-containment (BC3) environment.
- Lead and mentor a team of Biosecurity Officers involved in the delivery of biosecurity services related to avian imports, providing guidance and technical leadership and ensuring adherence to relevant instructional material, policy and legislation.
- Supervise on-site industry representatives to ensure compliance with avian import procedures and conditions.
- Prepare reports and maintain both digital and manual records for audits and operations.
- Collaborate with clients, industry stakeholders, and other government agencies as needed.
- Contribute to the development of standard operating procedures, training, and instructional materials.
- Make biosecurity-related decisions under the Biosecurity Act 2015.
- Ensure compliance with WHS policies and uphold APS Values and Code of Conduct.

**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 in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

**Knowledge and experience**
- Knowledge or an understanding of the department’s role in delivering national biosecurity operations, including live animal import conditions and biosecurity requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and other relevant legislative and policy frameworks.
- A sound knowledge and understanding of animal husbandry principles, including animal first aid and the identifying signs of sickness, including infectious and contagious diseases.
- Experience in managing animal welfare and an understanding of animal behaviour and industry practices including intense poultry production.
- Demonstrated experience with handling and caring for a range of avian species, experience in poultry and pigeons being desirable.
- Experience in the effective coaching and mentoring of staff Experience in managing animal welfare a