Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division and the departments’ goal.

We protect Australia’s plant health to support trade, the economy, and the environment. Our division provides scientific advice, diagnostics, biosecurity training, and risk assessments. We enable safe plant imports, strengthen systems, and engage stakeholders. Surveillance and response are conducted at national entry points and approved sites, including northern Australia. We work closely with communities and Indigenous rangers to manage biosecurity risks, including in the Torres Strait.

Our scientists are on the front line of biosecurity, leading early detection and response for pests, diseases and weeds at entry points and across northern Australia. We deliver diagnostics, inspections, and training that help stop biosecurity threats before they spread. By working with stakeholders and sharing expertise, we strengthen Australia’s ability to protect its agriculture, environment and communities.

The key duties of the position include:

This is where you play an important role.

The Operational Science and Surveillance (OSS) Entomology team is a national network with laboratory facilities located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Collectively our work contributes to Australia's favourable animal, plant and environmental status through the delivery of diagnostics services for pests within Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry jurisdictions. The OSS Principal Entomologist coordinates diagnostics, technical, policy and pest mitigation advice and delivery of technical training to departmental and industry staff.

The duties of the role may include some or all of the following:

- the technical management, scientific leadership and oversight of OSS Entomology staff and the day-to-day operations of the laboratory,
- coordinating key operational policy areas to support national consistency and ensure effective delivery of quality diagnostics, technical advice and related functions within geographic region/s of responsibility,
- liaising, negotiating and communicating with internal and external stakeholders as well as technical specialists,




- providing technical and strategic operational input into the development of surveillance, diagnostics, quality and data management policies related to entomology as well as the provision of specialist risk-based biosecurity management advice,
- undertaking general and specialist diagnostics of insects and other invertebrates to a high level and in accordance with departmental policy, procedures and the laboratory quality management system,
- preparing invertebrate specimens for diagnostics and long-term preservation and undertaking high quality diagnostic imaging,
- contributing to the development and delivery of entomology-related training material, competency assessments and proficiency testing to ensure the validity and quality of results,
- providing input and coordination of OSS Entomology career development, including critical needs-based review and planning,
- ensuring the appropriateness of methods and procedures for entomology diagnostics including sourcing literature, undertaking verification or validation of methods, ensuring the competency of personnel and participating in proficiency testing,
- working constructively with key sections as part of a program of continuous improvement to identify risks and identify opportunities to deploy innovative diagnostic technologies,
- participating in pest inspections, surveillance and response activities,
- promoting and ensuring compliance with departmental WH&S; policies and guidelines, and being alert for and reporting risks regarding WH&S; issues,
- maintaining an in-depth knowledge of, and promote compliance with, laboratory systems for safety, quality, biocontainment, data and operational efficiency in line with the quality management system, legislation and policies.

Note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor, laboratory and office-based work. Intra and interstate travel is a requirement of the position.



There may be a requirement to work out of hours (including on weekends and public holidays) to provide out of hours diagnostic support, participate in emergency response and other activities.

Eligibility

Who we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

- A minimum of five years relevant experience in invertebrate diagnostics.
- Demonstrated experience working with, and a well-developed knowledge of, insects, arachnids and/or particular invertebrate pests of biosecurity significance to Australia.
- Practical experience in both performing and coordinating accurate morphology-based identification of invertebrate specimens (additional experience in molecular diagnostics would be advantageous) as well as experience in correctly identifying pests of biosecurity significance.
- An extensive knowledge of the Australian biosecurity environment and the application of pest risk mitigation measures in complex and challenging scenarios.
- Experience in area technical management and oversight in relation to entomological diagnostics, technical advice and strategic direction.
- Demonstrated experience in managing and motivating a team, coordinating complex tasks, prioritising effort to meet complex and changing operational needs, negotiating the resolution of issues or conflicting points of view and harnessing the skills and knowledge of the team.
- Demonstrated experience interrogating, analysing and reporting on statistical and diagnostic data.
- A demonstrated understanding of, and commitment to, the management of WH&S; issues in a wide variety of work areas, including laboratories and in the field.

Mandatory Qualifications

A Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, ecology or a related field that emphasises entomology.

The successful candidate

- Must hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle.
- Must hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.
- May be required to relocate and relocation assistance is subject to negotiation.
- Must wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy.
- Must wear appropriate protective personal equipment clothing and comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.

📌 Principal Entomologist (Sydney)
🏢 Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
📍 Sydney