Data Analysts (Aps5)

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

• These roles manage import data associated with plant import pathways.
• Seeking experience using R and/or SQL programming languages to interrogate complex data sets.
• Multiple positions available.

Who we are
The Plant Import Operations Branch (PIO) is primarily responsible for the facilitation of safe importation of plants and plant product commodities. This includes: live plants for planting; seeds for planting and consumption; plant-based animal feeds, plant-based fertiliser, timber, plant fibre products, and other processed plant products; imported fruit, vegetables and fresh cut flowers and foliage; and plant-related research material. PIO also contributes to the ongoing maintenance of Australia’s favourable health status and market access interests by:

• coordinating national operational plant biosecurity policy that is consistent with international and national obligations
• technical assessment of import permit applications and the issuance of import permits for imported plants and plant product commodities
• monitoring of import pathways and verifying compliance with operational policy, procedures and standards
• providing consistent and science-based technical advice to staff, clients and stakeholders.

The branch is seeking to fill several Data Analyst positions at the APS 5 level in the Biosecurity Assurance Program which is responsible for managing the import data associated with plant import pathways. The key activities of this program include:

• providing data analytical support to operational teams to monitor pathway compliance with the import conditions and support decision making
• establishing critical control points and supporting audit and verification activities to measure the effectiveness of biosecurity risk management controls
• coordinating, developing and communicating amendments to biosecurity legislation, providing advice on legal issues and developing legislation-based support materials
• managing risk-based programs such as the Compliance-Based Intervention Scheme (CBIS) for plant commodities
• managing, reviewing and developing training and instructional material to support plant import activities and the training and induction of staff.

The Jobs
As a Data Analyst within the program, you will work within a team to liaise with a range of internal and external stakeholders to understand their business requirements and under broad direction, prepare reports and data summaries to support pathway management and decision making to facilitate the safe importation of plants and plant related products. The duties of the role include, but are not limited to:

• assisting the program to acquire and transform data from a range of sources to assist with the preparation of tailored reports and data summaries using programming languages such as R and/or SQL
• assisting the program to review existing, and develop new, data related policies and processes
• assisting with the evaluation of import pathways for risk-based intervention approaches (CBIS)
• assisting the program to monitor and respond to a range of import enquiries
• under broad direction, engaging with a range of internal and external stakeholders
• assisting with the development of a range of tailored Power BI reports
• supporting assurance and verification activities to measure the performance of biosecurity import conditions to ensure that the conditions remain effective
• providing testing support and input into new import systems or reports being developed by the department.

Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill several ongoing vacancies in the section. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to full future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature. 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.
Flexible working arrangements
We are open to discussing flexible working arrangements. To seek further information please speak with the contact officer prior to submitting your application.
What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience

• Experience using Power BI for data visualisation.
• An understanding of statistical sampling methodologies and their applications.
• Experience working in plant biosecurity, environmental or scientific fields.
• Knowledge of, or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of, the departments operational systems relevant to importing goods such as AIMS and BICON.
• Experience using R and/or SQL programming languages to interrogate complex data sets.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.