APS 6 - $91,944 - $104,393 per annum plus superannuation
Biosecurity Animal Division
Locations: Adelaide, SA; Brisbane, QLD; Canberra, ACT; Darwin, NT; Hobart, TAS; Melbourne, VIC; Perth, WA; Sydney, NSW
As a Senior Technical Officer in the Animal and Biological Branch, you will work with a dedicated group of officers who are committed to maintaining and improving Australia's biosecurity system.
The successful candidate will need to enjoy working in a fast-paced team environment, have sound judgement, attention to detail and deliver quality work within tight deadlines.
Who we are
The Biosecurity Animal Division are trusted leaders in science-based regulation and policy, who proactively engage with risk and deliver on our shared responsibilities across the biosecurity system.
Our outcome is to implement effective, defensible and lawful biosecurity regulation and policy to facilitate safe trade in aquatic and terrestrial animals, reproductive materials, animal products and biological goods, and minimise marine pest risk.
We are a skilled multidisciplinary workforce that works together with our partners in state and territory governments, Animal Health Australia and industry to deliver optimal animal biosecurity outcomes for Australia.
Our approach is modelled by our work culture, values and behaviours through integrity, fairness and impartiality.
The Animal and Biological Imports Branch implements biosecurity policies to allow for the safe movement of animals, animal products (including aquatic animals and their products) and genetic material into Australia.
The activities of the branch include responding to general client enquiries relating to the importation of goods and use of associated departmental systems, the provision of technical advice to staff, importers and stakeholders, development and publishing of import conditions, instructional material and other guidance material, and assessing import permit applications and issuing import permits.
We implement biosecurity policies to allow for the safe movement of biological products (including pet food, stockfeed, microorganisms) into Australia.
The activities of the Section include:
Assessing import permit applications and issuing import permits.
Providing technical advice to departmental staff, importers and other stakeholders.
Developing and publishing import conditions, instructional material and other guidance.
The Job
As a policy officer in the Animal and Biological Imports Branch, you will work with a dedicated group of officers who are committed to maintaining and improving Australia's biosecurity system.
The successful applicants will need to enjoy working in fast-paced and changing work environments, display initiative, have sound judgement and deliver quality work within tight deadlines.
The duties of the roles include:
Undertaking biosecurity regulatory functions under the Biosecurity Act 2015 including assessing import permit applications for animal, plant and biological products.
Preparing and reviewing changes to the department's import conditions database (BICON) and other online communications material.
Providing sound technical biosecurity advice to importers, operational staff within the department and stakeholders associated with the import of animal, plant and biological products.
Liaising with clients and other government agencies, providing complex and technical advice, as necessary.
Reviewing and updating technical work instructions.
Reviewing business processes and identifying opportunities for improvement.
Assisting with the preparation of briefings, reports and ministerial correspondence.
Undertaking audits of overseas pet food and stockfeed manufacturing facilities.
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.
What are we looking for
Knowledge and Experience
Knowledge or previous experience in any of the following would be advantageous:
An understanding of Australia's biosecurity system.
Experience in a regulatory environment.
Experience in conducting assessments and providing recommendations.
Working in busy technical and operational environments.
Collating and analysing import data.
Provision of responsive advice in a customer facing role.
Knowledge of animal pests and diseases that may pose a biosecurity risk to Australia and controls applicable to their management.
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