Community Liaison Officer Team Leader (Biosecurity)

• APS 5 - $78,548 - $86,168 per annum plus superannuation
• Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
• Cairns, QLD

• Join a dynamic team where you can make a real difference.
• Work alongside scientists and Indigenous Rangers from across northern Australia to help protect Australian agriculture, the environment and our way of life.
• Opportunity to travel to some of northern Australia’s most remote and beautiful country.

Identified position – 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.
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 help 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 section also delivers SSG’s Business Management Unit which helps coordinate budget measures and projects, oversights the implementation of the SSG Strategic Roadmap and undertakes secretariat for the Northern Australia Biosecurity Framework.
The Job
The Community Liaison Officer (CLO) Team Leader undertakes the duties of a CLO and acts as a mentor to support other CLOs by setting an example of working effectively. This includes actively encouraging CLOs to be accountable for their roles and perform effectively by following all department policies and processes (i.e. the agreed CLO workflow processes).
The mentoring will encourage CLOs to provide effective support to indigenous ranger groups and communities by building and maintaining strong, respectful, tolerant, and harmonious working relationships. As the CLO Team Leader you will work as part of the team to facilitate department scientist’s access to country to undertake surveillance work. You will also facilitate communications between the scientific streams and the CLO Network.
Reporting to the Community Liaison Coordinator (CLC), you will provide ongoing support to ensure consistent operation of the CLO network, and report regularly to the CLC and network managers. This position requires you to have effective oversight over a small team and work independently under direction from the Community Liaison Coordinator.
The primary role of the CLO Team Leader is to provide general supervisory direction and support to their team, and efficient and effective reporting to the Community Liaison Coordinator. The position also includes general CLO functions, including supporting the delivery of biosecurity monitoring and public awareness services by contracted Indigenous ranger groups across northern Australia.
The role will require you to demonstrate strong communication skills, high levels of personal responsibility, strong staff management and leadership skills, integrity, and initiative to perform the following duties:

• Supporting the Community Liaison Coordinator with leading biosecurity
• operations and resources in the area of operation, and report on performance indicators as required
• providing direction to CLOs, and maintain an effective and cohesive working team, with mentoring or logistical support as required
• co-ordinating the delivery of contracted biosecurity services by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ranger groups including facilitation of relevant training and assistance
• developing and maintaining effective working relationships with remote communities in northern Australia, with a particular focus on Indigenous ranger groups and related organisations
• understanding the Biosecurity Reporting Tool (Ranger App), supporting CLOs and Indigenous ranger groups in the use of the Ranger App
• identifying and promoting opportunities to expand Indigenous ranger participation in biosecurity service delivery
• ensuring community engagement activities are delivered according to technical directions from specialist scientific staff and the department’s service priorities for northern Australia
• providing logistic and liaison support to surveys associated with the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy (NAQS) program
• requesting and reviewing fee for service invoices
• maintaining an operational plan based on fee for service planned activities
• maintaining close consultation with Indigenous Communities and their representatives, government agencies and other community stakeholders
• assisting the delivery of 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
• managing small teams and their work performance.

Knowledge and experience
The ideal applicant 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.
For additional information, please read the Job Description below.