Science Communications Officer

• APS 6 $84,408 - $100,378 per annum plus superannuation
• Plant Protection & Environment Secuirty
• Canberra

Help promote and raise awareness about Australia's plant health and biosecurity. Apply your communication and engagement skills to protect Australia's agriculture and unique environment. Flexible work options available.
Who we are
The Plant Health Policy Branch provides a national focal point for plant biosecurity issues within Australia and has responsibility for the national leadership in managing Australia's plant health. The work of the branch underpins biosecurity and helps to open new, and maintain existing, domestic and international markets for Australian plant industries. This is achieved by; providing focus for national and international plant biosecurity activities; preparing for and coordinating national responses to plant pests and exotic weeds; promoting reform of the plant biosecurity system; improving plant health capacity and capabilities domestically particularly in relation to surveillance and diagnostics; and assisting the department to meet national and international obligations and influence plant health policies.
The Job
There are two positions available:
We are seeking an experienced and motivated Science Communication Officer to work collaboratively across the department to communicate and promote the work of the Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer and the division on plant health news and biosecurity policy to internal and external stakeholders through a range of channels.
We are also seeking a Science Communication Officer to support preparedness engagement, communicating with internal and external stakeholders. The work will complement the review of the exotic and unwanted National Priority Plant Pests and communicate activities focused on prevention, detection and response to incursions if these pests were to enter Australia.
Skills and Capabilities

• Demonstrated excellent written and verbal communication skills including an ability to effectively communicate more complex ideas to a range of audiences in a range of styles.
• Demonstrated ability to produce targeted website content, video content, media and social media posts.
• Demonstrated ability to build and sustain effective relationships internally and externally to support the delivery of departmental priorities.
• Ability to work simultaneously across multiple projects in the face of competing and rapidly changing priorities, under limited supervision.
• Excellent organisational skills including event management.

Knowledge and experience

• Produce communications materials including media releases, newsletter articles, talking points and presentations, website content, video scripts, newsletters and social media posts.
• Work collaboratively within the team juggling multiple priorities to achieve communication outcomes in a timely manner.
• Actively develop collaborative working relationships across the department and with key stakeholders (across government, industry, research organisations and funding organisations).
• Coordinate events, including engagement with industry/biosecurity conferences.
• Assist with the development of communication strategies and coordinate the evaluation of communication methodologies to support analytics, providing reports to the executive.
• Carry out media monitoring and scan for any risks/issues.
• Relevant experience in plant health or biosecurity will be highly regarded.

Eligibility

• To be eligible for employment with the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry you must be an Australian citizen.
• This position requires a Baseline Vetting security clearance. You will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.
• A qualification OR demonstrated equivalent experience in science communication or science or communication is mandatory.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.