Who we are
The Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division (BPSSD) safeguards Australia's plant health status to achieve, maintain and expand overseas markets, while protecting the economy and environment. The division includes four branches, which together focus on providing scientific analysis and technical advice, facilitating the safe importation of plants and plant products, improving systems, market access, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The division provides diagnostics, with advice on biosecurity risk and measures, and biosecurity training. The division conducts surveillance and response at first points of entry and approved arrangements sites nationally, and delivers plant, animal and aquatic health surveillance in northern Australia. The division works closely with communities and Indigenous rangers and regulates biosecurity risk in the Torres Strait.
Science and Surveillance Group (SSG) is comprised of scientists, operations and support staff responsible for regulatory advice and training, technical input to biosecurity policy, regulation activity in the Torres Strait and diverse surveillance and diagnostic services around Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.
Operational Science & Surveillance (OSS) has four technical sections delivering diagnostic or surveillance activities; (1) Entomology, (2) Plant Pathology & Botany, (3) Surveillance, and (4) Technical Response. The Surveillance Section is comprised of the National Border Surveillance (NBS), Vector and Hitchhiker surveillance teams, and is led by a management team consisting of a Director, Assistant Directors and APS 6 Senior Surveillance Officers. The Botany team sits under the National Border Surveillance team, and delivers both diagnostic and border surveillance activities for plant and seed material.
The Job
This position will, under the direction of the Senior Botanist contribute to the Operational Science and Surveillance (OSS) team by conducting border surveillance and diagnostics, with key duties including but not limited to:
This position may require the occupants to work in harsh environmental conditions and in culturally sensitive areas in regional and/or remote areas. The successful applicant must have the ability to work and contribute within a team dispersed throughout Australia.
Skills and Capabilities
The successful applicant will have:
Knowledge and experience
The successful applicant will have:
Mandatory qualifications
A relevant tertiary qualification in botany or a related biological science discipline required. Two years' experience working as a field botanist is desirable.
Eligibility and other requirements
Citizenship - To be eligible for employment with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry you must be an Australian citizen.
Security Clearance - This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
Pre-employment Check - Your suitability for employment will be assessed through a pre-employment screening process. This process includes a requirement to undergo and satisfy a National Police Check, referee checks, character clearance and where required a pre-employment medical assessment, specified mandatory qualification(s) validation and a probation period of 6 months.
MSIC and ASIC Licences – If the position requires unescorted access within an aviation or maritime security zone, you will be required to obtain and maintain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) or Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC).
The successful applicant must:
For additional information, please read the Job Description below.Candidate Information Package Opens in new window
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