- EL 1 - $129,106 - $138,861 per annum plus superannuation
- Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
- Thursday Island

Ready to lead biosecurity operations in a region critical to protecting Australia's communities, agriculture and way of life? Join us as a senior operations leader and make an impact through effective biosecurity regulation and surveillance, staff and resource management, stakeholder engagement and process innovation. Apply now and help drive positive outcomes for Australia's national biosecurity. The filling of these vacancies is intended to constitute an affirmative measure under section 8(1) of the 'Racial Discrimination Act 1975'. These vacancies are only available to First Nations people.

This position is an ‘Identified’ position which signifies that the role has a strong involvement in issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. The successful applicant must have an understanding of the issues affecting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people and an ability to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander People.

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

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 Northern Surveillance (SaNS) is comprised of scientists, operations and support staff responsible for regulatory advice and training, technical input to biosecurity policy, regulation in Torres Strait,



diagnostic services around Australia and animal and plant health surveillance through the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.

This is where you play an important role.

The Torres Strait and Field Operations Section delivers biosecurity regulation, surveillance and response operations focused on Torres Strait and NPA risk pathways and supports SaNS surveillance across northern Australia to ensure alignment with applicable Work Health and Safety (WH&S;) requirements. The section also contributes to business improvement projects and collaborative arrangements with external stakeholders with a particular focus on animal, plant and aquatic health surveillance and biosecurity regulation in Torres Strait and the NPA.

Working under limited direction, the key duties of the Assistant Director include:

- leading and managing a geographically dispersed and integrated operations and program support team in consultation with key personnel and the SaNS executive leadership team
- managing staff including training and development, performance and ensuring adherence to applicable WH&S;, biosecurity operations and human resource management policies and regulations
- managing relationships with internal and external stakeholders to deliver and promote effective biosecurity in the Torres Strait and NPA region, including representing the department in consultations and negotiations with other government agencies, Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal authorities, members of the public, industry clients and their representative bodies, as required
- developing, preparing and reviewing high-quality written material including reports, briefing papers, business cases and other corporate documentation, as required
- contributing to national and SaNS strategic projects with a particular focus on effective delivery of risk-based regulation and surveillance functions and business improvement within specified budget and risk management parameters.

Please note that this vacancy is being advertised as both an ongoing and non-ongoing position. If an offer of non-ongoing employment is made,



the successful applicant would be employed for an initial period of twelve months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum period of two years in total. The position may become ongoing in the next eighteen months which may result in the successful applicant being offered ongoing employment. Who we are looking for

Knowledge and experience The successful applicant will have:

- knowledge or an understanding of contemporary issues and/or protocols affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
- strong experience across a wide range of operations and/or corporate support and enabling functions
- demonstrated, extensive project and financial/budget management experience
- a demonstrated understanding of people and financial management requirements applicable to an APS operating environment.

Eligibility and other requirements The successful applicant must:

- hold and maintain a valid motor vehicle licence and be capable of driving in accordance with Australian road laws
- note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
- note that relocation assistance is subject to negotiation
- note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work
- note that you will be required to travel in remote/isolated locations in northern Australia or its near northern neighbours, using a variety of transport including vessels, light/commercial aircraft, helicopters and manual four wheel drive vehicles
- note that you will be required, from time to time, to work in difficult, remote and harsh environments (possibly for extended periods) under limited supervision or in teams
- 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.

VetPaths The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support.

📌 Assistant Director - Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area Operations (Affirmative Measure-First Nations) (Thursday Island)
🏢 Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
📍 Thursday Island