fisheries officer

Department of Primary Industries and Regions

Job reference: 709775

Location: WEST BEACH

Job status: Short Term Contract

Eligibility: Open to Everyone

The Opportunity

We have multiple opportunities for Fisheries Officers at West Beach Station to be part of our Fisheries and Aquaculture Division within the Department of Primary Industries and Regions.

The Fisheries Officer is primarily responsible for providing a range of compliance services to the commercial and recreational fishing and aquaculture sectors, ensuring compliance with the Fisheries Management Act 2007, Aquaculture Act 2001 and associated legislation as they apply to the fishing industry. This includes making sure fishers know and understand fishing rules and requirements, providing a visible presence at all fishing locations at sea and on land, and where offending is detected, taking enforcement action as authorised under the Fisheries Management Act 2007.

The Fisheries Officer is required to communicate effectively by developing and maintaining collaborative relationships with stakeholders including internal PIRSA staff, fishers, industry representatives and the general community and be able to quickly resolve conflict situations. Fisheries Officers work in teams therefore applicants must always possess a team-first and safety focussed mindset.

Fisheries Officers receive extensive training to safely operate modern vessels, surveillance equipment and numerous systems and technologies. There is also an extensive focus on investigative skill development and related legal and administrative requirements.

Being a Fisheries Officer is a truly rewarding and exciting role. If you would like to work in a role that enables you to make a difference within your community and as part of a proud team, then we would encourage you to apply.

For more information on your potential career as a Fisheries Officer, please refer to the attached video: Being a South Australian Fisheries Officer

About Us

South Australia is internationally recognised for the quality of its agriculture, food and wine. Our regions are the backbone of our state and the economic powerhouse that drives prosperity for all South Australians.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA) is a key economic development agency working in partnership with our primary industries, regional stakeholders and across all levels of government to advance the prosperity and sustainability of South Australia's primary industries and regional communities.

We are a passionate team of around 800 people working across metropolitan and regional South Australia to develop and protect our state's regions and food, wine, aquaculture, fisheries, forestry, grains, livestock, dairy and horticulture industries.

It's no wonder there are so many exciting and diverse career opportunities in our organisation. If you're ready to join us, apply now

Benefits

At the Department of Primary Industries and Regions, we offer our employees challenging and rewarding work, outstanding training, development opportunities and a flexible working environment. After meeting eligibility requirements, Fisheries Officers are also entitled to receive:

• 13.1% allowance payable in addition to base salary
• 5 weeks annual leave

Our Commitment to Diversity

The Department of Primary Industries and Regions is committed to building a flexible, diverse and inclusive culture, planning for and promoting diversity. We welcome and encourage applications from diverse community groups and ages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, LGBTIQ, people with disabilities, women and other diversity groups. The Department of Primary Industries and Regions recognises the benefits that such an approach brings for our staff and customers in delivering the future of SA.

Special Conditions

• The successful applicant will be required to undergo and achieve a satisfactory medical assessment, SA police offenders history check and psychometric assessment prior to being offered employment as a Fisheries Officer.
• Australian residency or current works permit is required (responsibility of applicant to provide evidence of a current work permit).
• Multiple positions available at West Beach, Moonta and Yorketown.

Requirements

• Possession of a current Australian driver's licence and willingness to drive.
• You acknowledge your work, health and safety obligations and our expectations
• The hours of duty of a Fisheries Officer will be an average of 150 per four-week period to be worked irregularly over 7 days including public holidays and weekends. Employees are required to work approximately 50% of their weekends and public holidays, they will be eligible to receive an allowance of 13.1%
• Some intrastate and interstate travel with overnight absences, working in remote areas and at times under harsh conditions including at sea, may be required.
• Fisheries Officers participate in the FISHWATCH Duty Officer roster.
• At short notice, the incumbent will be required to be part of a marine search and rescue operations in accordance with the PIRSA Emergency Response Plans and the Memorandum of Understanding with SAPOL and other South Australian Government Agencies as required.
• Agency uniform must be worn to provide a visible presence in the community.
• Be recalled to work to investigate land and/or offshore reports of illegal fishing activities.
• In accordance with Work Health and Safety guidelines for the Fisheries & Aquaculture Division, the incumbent may be required to participate in a program which will assist with the incumbent's level of fitness to safely engage in discharging the manual handling requirements associated with the launching and retrieval of a range of vessels and the lifting of mesh nets and rock lobster pots.
• Fisheries Officers are required to maintain a safe working environment by adopting appropriate hazard management practices consistent with the role, including, but not limited to 4WD training, Operational Safety Training, Shipboard Safety (requirement of a Coxswains certificate of competency) and Boarding Vessels at Sea Training.
• Fisheries Officers are required to complete a Workplace Assessment Program within the first 12 months of employment and demonstrate competency in the role and ability to meet all agreed performance standards to the satisfaction of the Director, Operations (or delegate).

Desirable:

• Certificate 3 in the Seafood Industry (Fisheries Compliance) or an appropriate equivalent qualification
• Current First Aid qualifications (Apply First Aid)
• Certificate IV in Government (Investigations) or Statutory Compliance or an appropriate equivalent qualification.
• Marine qualifications including Coxswain, Master V and or MED
• Previous experience in investigative or compliance related roles
• Must have well developed computer skills

Remuneration

OPS4

$76,561 - $80,256 per annum

As of October 2025, the starting salary for a South Australian Fisheries Officer is from $86,590. Inclusive of a 13.1% loading for working irregular hours including 50% of public holidays and weekends.

Enquiries

Andrew Carr

Phone:

Email:

Website:

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted online.

If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit a Covering Letter (no more than 3 pages) outlining your skills and experience in relation to the Professional and Technical Knowledge, Communication and Teamwork and or Team Building capabilities of the role description and a current CV (no more than 5 pages).

In your covering letter you must list your skills and experience, supported by past examples where possible, specific to each capability.

Applicants must include the contact information of at least 2 referees with 1 being your immediate supervisor/manager and a completed "Pre-Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector" form.

Applications close: 01/12/2025 11:45 PM