Technical Supervisor

APS 5 - $76,260 - $83,658 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Operations Division
- Brisbane (QLD), Melbourne (VIC), Perth (WA) and Sydney (NSW)
- _Lead/manage day-to-day operations of an operational team._
- _Must have experience in handling and training detector dogs._
- _Multiple vacancies across several locations._

**Who we are**
Pathway Operations - Travellers, Mail and Detector Dog Operations delivers regulatory screening and inspections of goods, at the border to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity requirements and 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 a risk-based operating model. The pathway has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities.

**The Jobs**
The role of a Technical Supervisor is to supervise a team of Detector Dog Handlers to support the achievement of operational outcomes in line with the department’s business objectives. The successful applicants will need to influence and contribute to change, while contributing to business planning and decision-making processes. They will also be required to demonstrate innovative leadership while providing support to and managing handlers in a regulatory environment.

The duties of these roles may include some or all the following:

- leading and managing the day-to-day operations of an operational team in a regulatory environment, including managing workload and quality assurance activities
- managing the performance and attendance of an operational team including actively fostering employee engagement and development
- maintaining a well-developed and up to date knowledge of canine training principles
- developing and maintaining the technical capabilities of detector dog teams
- collaborating closely with the national detector dog program and operational areas to deliver on priorities, initiatives and projects
- effectively communicating with and responding to internal and external clients, including government agencies and industry parties
- providing timely and accurate advice on highly 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
- promoting the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code of Conduct
- fostering a culture of safety, diversity, inclusiveness, positive attendance and high performance.

**Please note** that this selection process will be used to fill multiple vacancies, both ongoing and non-ongoing, across the locations listed above. Non-ongoing contracts will be offered for an initial period of 18 months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of three years in total. Some of these non-ongoing position(s) may become ongoing in the next 18 months. Should a position become ongoing then the merit pool established through this selection process may be used to fill the vacancy on an ongoing basis. 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 Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the division where the duties are of a similar nature.

This link will take you to the Department’s Detector Dog page on our website.

**What we are looking for**

**Knowledge and experience**
The successful applicants will have:

- experience in, or demonstrable knowledge of, leading, managing, training and supporting detector dog handlers in an operational environment
- experience in the handling and training of detector dogs
- knowledge or an understanding of the department’s role in delivering national biosecurity operations
- high level writing skills with demonstrated experience delivering a range of written products
- demonstrated computer literacy and experience in using electronic databases
- experience in the effective coaching and mentoring of staff
- knowledge of the principles of administrative law and objectives of regulatory practice

**Eligibility and other requirements**
The successful applicants must:

- hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
- note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
- wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy
- wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
- obtain and maintain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) and a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC)
- pass the specific Detector Dog Handler medical assessment
- note that they must complete the department’s Biosecurity Fo