Aps4 Community Liaison Officer-Biosecurity

The Community Liaison Officer (biosecurity) supports the delivery of the biosecurity surveillance program with Indigenous rangers under the Indigenous Ranger Biosecurity Program (IRBP). The role supports pest, weed and disease surveillance and monitoring delivered by Indigenous ranger groups across northern Australia. The role also provides general pest, weed and disease awareness information to people in remote communities. The ideal applicant will have strong cultural awareness, particularly in liaison with First Nations people in remote areas. The CLO (biosecurity) works in a team and independently under general supervision.
 
The duties of the role include:

• co-ordinating the delivery of contracted biosecurity services by Indigenous ranger groups including facilitating training and support
• developing and maintaining effective working relationships with remote communities in northern Australia, with a particular focus on Indigenous ranger groups and related organisations
• identifying and promoting opportunities to strengthen Indigenous ranger participation in biosecurity service delivery
• ensuring community engagement activities are delivered according to technical directions from scientific staff and the department’s service priorities for northern Australia
• providing logistic and liaison support to animal, plant, and aquatic scientific surveillance teams
• delivering an operational plan for fee for service planned activities
• preparing general reports and performing administrative functions to a high standard and in a timely manner in accordance with procedures e.g., requesting and reviewing fee for service invoices
• delivering remote field services according to applicable work health and safety regulations and departmental requirements, policies, and procedures, including adhering to the APS values and Code of Conduct
• taking responsibility for field equipment checks and maintenance schedules
• working with a wide range of key stakeholders, including government and non-government agencies.

 
What we are looking for

The ideal applicants will have knowledge, or an understanding of biosecurity risks in northern Australia, working with Indigenous rangers and the wider biosecurity environment. The ideal person will have strong cultural awareness, particularly in dealing with First Nations people in remote areas.

The successful applicants will have: 

• strong communication skills, integrity, initiative and a high level of personal responsibility
• the ability to build and sustain supportive, effective and collaborative relationships with internal and external clients, including Indigenous communities and their representatives, government agencies and other community stakeholders
• sensitivity to First Nations cultural and social complexities
• demonstrated ability to independently plan and organise fieldwork and remote travel
• sound computer literacy skills with an ability to use standard office programs (i.e. Microsoft Office Suite and mobile applications)
• the ability to adapt to, and keep up to date with, changing IT systems and technology
• sound time management skills and ability to prioritise tasks.
• Current manual drivers licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle.

 
Closing date : COB Thursday 4th April
 
Please note: this temporary role is with one of our Federal Government clients. Therefore, you must be an Australian Citizen to be eligible to apply. In addition, a current Baseline Clearance or willingness to obtain is required as well as a National Police Check.

DFP welcomes applications from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds and people with disability. In addition, DFP will provide reasonable adjustments for individuals with disability throughout the recruitment process. If you identify as a person with disability and require adjustments to the application, recruitment, selection and/or assessment process, please advise via ***********@dfp.com.au or 1300 337 000 and indicate your preferred method of communication (email, phone, text) so we can keep in touch and meet your accessibility needs.