Technical Supervisor – Detector Dog Operations• Do you have experience working with or training dogs? • Interested in protecting Australia? • Apply for a role where you make a difference every day.
Who we are
Biosecurity Operations Division delivers nationally integrated biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities to ensure goods, conveyances and travellers meet Australia's import requirements. Division operations include policy and regulatory control setting across imported food and biosecurity risk pathways, as well as the delivery of assessment, inspection, community engagement and contact centre services. The division also partners with industry to improve the delivery of regulatory functions. The division spans a range of regulatory activities that plays a critical role in reducing risk and shaping our nation to become one of the few countries in the world to remain free from the world's most severe pests and diseases.
The department's detector dogs make an invaluable contribution to Australia's biosecurity system, helping to protect Australia from exotic pests and diseases. Detector dogs are used in conjunction with several other biosecurity strategies and detection tools to help protect Australia's agricultural industries, environment, economy and human health. The department's detector dog teams are deployed across a variety of locations including international passenger terminals, seaports, and mail facilities.
We are looking for people who are:
• understanding of the critical role biosecurity plays in protecting Australia's agriculture and environment
• committed to providing a high-quality experience for all users of Australia's biosecurity system
• supportive of, and engage with, the future direction of the department as a regulator
• flexible and adaptable to meet immediate needs and future challenge
• open, accountable and of high integrity
• motivated, self-driven and outcome focussed
• team-oriented and have the energy and determination to succeed in everything they do
• able to exercise sound judgment and make evidence-based decisions.
The Jobs
The role of a Technical Supervisor is to supervise a team of Detector Dog Handlers to support the achievement of operational outcomes in line with the department's business objectives. The successful applicants will need to influence and contribute to change, while contributing to business planning and decision-making processes. They will also be required to demonstrate innovative leadership while providing support to and managing handlers in a regulatory environment.
The duties of these roles may include some or all the following:
• Leading and managing the day-to-day operations of an operational team in a regulatory environment, including managing workload and quality assurance activities.
• Managing the performance and attendance of an operational team including actively fostering employee engagement and development.
• Maintaining a well-developed and up to date knowledge of canine training principles.
• Promoting and applying detector dog training, proficiency maintenance and deployment principles.
• Developing and maintaining the technical capabilities of detector dog teams.
• Collaborating closely with the national detector dog program and operational areas to deliver on priorities, initiatives and projects.
• Effectively communicating, liaising, negotiating with and responding to internal and external clients, including government agencies and industry parties.
• Providing timely and accurate advice on highly complex matters to employees, stakeholders/clients and senior managers.
• Prioritising tasks, adapting to changing priorities and making effective use of resources to ensure service delivery standards are met.
• Promoting the APS Values, the APS Employment Principles and compliance with the Code of Conduct.
• Fostering a culture of safety, diversity, inclusiveness, positive attendance and high performance.
Please note that this selection process will initially be used to fill three ongoing vacancies, with one vacancy available in each of the locations listed on the job description. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the division where the duties are of a similar nature. Non-ongoing contracts will be offered for an initial period of eighteen months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of two years in total.
Training
Successful applicants will be deployed as Technical Supervisors once suitably trained and assessed and will be required to work a rotating shift arrangement, potentially alternating between international travellers, mail and cargo environments. Applicants will be required to attend a multi-week handler course in Brisbane (QLD), noting that the training will be full-time and travel will be fully funded by the department. As detector dog staff are also Biosecurity Officers you will be required to undertake the relevant training to become a Biosecurity Officer. For more information on the work of a Biosecurity Officer, please click here .
What we are looking for Knowledge and experience
The successful applicants will have:
• experience in, or demonstrable knowledge of, leading, managing, training and supporting detector dog handlers in an operational environment
• experience in the handling and training of detector dogs
• knowledge or an understanding of the department's role in delivering national biosecurity operations
• high level writing skills with demonstrated experience delivering a range of written products
• demonstrated computer literacy and experience in using electronic databases
• experience in the effective coaching and mentoring of staff
• knowledge of the principles of administrative law and objectives of regulatory practice
• an informed understanding of the application of regulatory powers and an understanding of the authority to exercise these powers.
Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicants must:
• hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
• note that the ability to perform shift work is a requirement when applying for this position(s)
• note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a daily combination of outdoor and indoor work
• note that you will be required to undertake a specific pre-employment medical to determine your fitness to carry out the duties of a Detector Dog Handler
• wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department's uniform policy
• wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
• note that you must satisfactorily complete the department's Biosecurity Foundation Program and meet the minimum requirements in order to be appointed as a Biosecurity Officer under the Biosecurity Act 2015, with an initial induction and core unit sessions held during regular business hours.
For additional information, please read the Job Description below. Start your application by clicking the "begin" button.#J-18808-Ljbffr
