Operations Manager

Job description

Agency Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Work unit National Browsing Ant Eradication Program NT

– Biosecurity and Animal Welfare

Job title Operations Manager Designation Technical 4

Job type Full time Duration Fixed from 01/01/2026 to 31/03/2027

Salary $89,637 - $98,223 Location Darwin

Position number RTF Closing 02/10/2025

Contact officer Chris Collins, Program Manager on or

About the agency

Apply online

APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF YOUR TERTIARY

QUALIFICATIONS.

Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans

The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates people with

disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment process or job, please discuss

this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the merit process, go to the OCPE website.

Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures plans, go to the

OCPE website.

Primary objective

The Plant Biosecurity Branch is currently responding to a detection of the environmental pest Lepisiota frauenfeldi (browsing ant) and is

undertaking activities to eradicate the pest, which includes surveillance monitoring, treatment, and associated activities. The Operations

Manager will coordinate a small team in delivery of these activities in the greater Darwin area and remote regions of the NT, to support

the eradication of browsing ant in accordance with the National Browsing Ant Eradication Program's Response Plan.

Key duties and responsibilities

1. Under the direction of the Program Manager and Chief Plant Health Officer, be responsible for the effective implementation of the

Plant Health Act 2008.

2. Under the direction of the Program Manager, coordinate and/or undertake eradication activities including tracing, surveillance,

movement control, treatment supervision and reporting to meet nationally agreed objectives and timeframes.

3. Provide accurate advice to stakeholders via email, telephone and face to face about technical, compliance and administrative aspects

of the program.

4. Provide reporting and operational administrative support to the Program Manager including logistic, general purchasing, preparation

and tracking of laboratory samples and results.

1. Oversee the processing of surveillance data into a biosecurity data base (Maximum Pest and Disease), in a timely and efficient manner

while maintaining the integrity of the data. Analyse and review that data relative to Program objectives.

6. Commit to workplace health and safety and adhere to WHS policies and procedures and induct new staff.

7. Travel within the NT, as required, to undertake Browsing Ant eradication activities.

8. Participate in biosecurity emergency responses.

Selection criteria

Essential

1. Experience or ability to plan, schedule and implement field activities as well as manage, lead and motivate a small team to achieve

required outcomes while operating in a regulatory environment.

2. Experience or ability to work in partnership, collaborate and negotiate with a wide range of stakeholders in the field to achieve desired

outcomes.

3. Experience or ability to engage in communication, negotiation and extension, both orally and in writing with government and industry

clients/stakeholders and the public.

1. Strong written communication skills for stakeholder correspondence, writing operating procedures, project reports, monthly reports

with demonstrated experience using computer programs such as Word, Excel, Outlook etc.

5. Experience and skills to manage, collate and analyse field data or ability to rapidly obtain.

6. Experience or ability to carry out and co-ordinate work activities on high-risk sites with strict Work Health and Safety policies in a

dynamic and rapidly changing work environment, with an ability to respond to, anticipate and to manage change.

7. A current manual driver's licence, an ability to conduct field work.

Desirable

1. An appropriate qualification or relevant experience in a related field e.g. ag/horticulture, logistics or business/administration.

2. Knowledge and experience operating within an emergency response, eradication or other pest surveillance program.

3. A Certificate IV in Government (Investigations) and qualifications in pesticide application and handling (e.g. Chemsafe).

Further information

The successful applicant will be required, at times, to undertake remote travel (up to 5 days/4 nights), work out of normal hours and

undertake physical tasks outdoors in hot and humid conditions. This role carries specific requirements to complete inductions and pass

medical assessments in order to conduct duties at third-party high-risk sites, including submitting to and passing random drug and alcohol

testing in accordance with work, health and safety requirements.