The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Forestry – Melbourne VIC
Who we are
Science and Surveillance Group (SSG) leads and delivers surveillance activities at Australia's biosecurity entry points and across northern Australia.
Our purpose is to ensure early detection of exotic plant pests, animal pests, diseases, and weeds that pose a threat to Australia's quality of life.
We are comprised of scientists, operations, and support staff and provide core scientific expertise and functions for the Department.
This includes diagnostics, monitoring, training, and awareness campaigns.
We provide regulatory advice and training, technical input to biosecurity policy, and regulation activity in the Torres Strait.
We undertake diverse surveillance and diagnostic services across Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.
The Technical Response Section is a specialist team that undertakes management and eradication of exotic plant pests, diseases, and weeds that have been detected at or near the border through the department's inspection and surveillance programs.
Many of these detections have the potential to cause significant economic, environmental, and/or social harm.
We regularly coordinate with other areas of the department and external bodies involved in responses.
The Job
Are you a highly motivated and enthusiastic Field Scientist with a strong knowledge of exotic pests and a passion for protecting Australia's environment?
Do you like working in a dynamic team with variety in your day-to-day work and the ability to have positive, real-world effects on Australia's agricultural industry?
We are looking for experienced field staff to deliver surveillance activities in response to exotic pests, weeds, and diseases.
As part of a local and national team, your work will include:
Plan, prepare, coordinate, and respond to biosecurity incident responses to exotic plant pests and diseases.
Work outside, conducting field surveillance and monitoring activities throughout the year.
Set and maintain response monitoring and/or trapping programs, arrange and supervise pest treatments.
Some travel to regional areas/interstate may be required.
Liaise with premise managers and external stakeholders to obtain site access, supervise treatments, manage expectations, and provide updates on responses.
Increase awareness of the threats of exotic pests, encouraging stakeholders to report incidents.
Reporting:
Ensure accurate collection and reporting of data in line with the response procedures.
Enter and retrieve geospatial data, including site mapping tools.
Produce response plans.
Staff supervision:
Manage and supervise staff, including other program areas to complete pest response surveillance for exotic pests such as invasive ants, stink bugs, snails, weeds, and plant pathogens.
Assist staff with administrative tasks such as managing leave and developing performance agreements.
Undertake field and laboratory triage diagnostics of samples collected including invertebrates, weeds, and plant pathogens.
Preparation of specimens.
Administration and Coordination:
Ensure timely ordering of stock and equipment for response activities.
Contribute to the development of instructional material and delivery of training to staff to support responses to exotic pests.
What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
Knowledge of the Australian Biosecurity system and of exotic pests, diseases, or weeds.
Demonstrated experience in planning, managing, and carrying out field pest surveillance (minimum 1 year).
Lead and manage a small team of pest surveillance officers working independently and in a nationally dispersed team.
Mandatory qualifications
A tertiary qualification in biological science, environmental science, agriculture, entomology, botany, or plant pathology.
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