Community Liaison Officer (Biosecurity)

Who we are 

Science and Surveillance Group (SSG) is comprised of scientists, operations, and support staff responsible for regulatory advice and training, technical input to biosecurity policy, regulation activity in Torres Strait and diverse surveillance and diagnostic services around Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.

The Indigenous Rangers and Business Management Section helps deliver biosecurity surveillance by engaging Indigenous Rangers on a fee for service basis to undertake biosecurity activities. The section maintains this effort and builds further biosecurity capability and provides economic opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities across northern Australia.

The Job

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

Knowledge and experience

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.

Eligibility and other requirements

The successful applicant must:

• hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification
• hold and maintain a current manual driver’s licence and ability to drive a 4WD vehicle
• note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
• note that you may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work
• note that you will be required to complete specific training (including refresher training) related to the role including remote area training, defensive driving, first aid and CPR courses
• 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.

Flexible employment arrangements are available with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.