Senior Botanist – Science & Surveillance

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 Surveillance Section delivers diagnostic or surveillance activities within the Operational Science & Surveillance (OSS) component of the Science & Surveillance Group (SSG). The work of OSS collectively contributes to Australia’s favourable animal, plant and environmental status through biosecurity surveillance, risk management and diagnostic services both at the border and post-border. OSS has four technical sections including Entomology, Plant Pathology & Botany, Surveillance and Technical Response.

The Job

Under the direction of the Assistant Director – Surveillance, this position will lead a team of botanists conducting border surveillance and diagnostics, with key duties including but not limited to:

• supervising and providing technical, administrative and managerial direction to a small, nationally dispersed team of OSS botanists 
• providing scientific advice and training to OSS botanists and border surveillance staff on botanical material of biosecurity concern and ensuring the effective and accurate implementation of surveillance and diagnostic activities, recording, and reporting of border surveillance activities 
• the identification of seeds and other plant materials intercepted at mail, airport and cargo biosecurity pathways, the determination and management of biosecurity risk and treatment recommendations to maintain biosecurity integrity, biosecurity measures, and the clarification of import conditions, especially those involving complex botanical issues for goods under biosecurity control at the border 
• maintaining accurate records using specimen reference databases with a high level of competency, maintaining quality management systems, and undertaking associated tasks as required 
• working as part of the broader SSG network, collaborating with officers located in other states around Australia including the Northern Australian Quarantine Strategy (NAQS), liaising with clients, stakeholders, and government agencies to manage botanical surveillance operations and mitigation of biosecurity risk, as necessary 
• (Note: this will include providing treatment advice to Biosecurity Officers in accordance with BICON)
• managing the performance of staff by building and sustaining productive, positive relationships among team members and facilitating regular, constructive feedback and communication 
• co-ordinating and participating in botanical surveys at Biosecurity Entry Points (i.e. Approved Arrangements (AA’s) and First Points of Entry (FPoE)), noting that this will involve working outside and conducting field surveillance throughout the year 
• participating in regional and national strategic and operational projects and reviews 
• coordinating the provision of information to Biosecurity Plant Division management, Policy Divisions and other key stakeholders 
• promoting and ensuring effective implementation of APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct, WHS and Rehabilitation policies.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

The successful applicants will have:

• strong field and laboratory-based plant identification skills and experience, including specimen collection and identification of cultivated, weed and native plant species 
• an understanding of plant biosecurity threats in Australia and the policy framework that supports implementation of measures to mitigate the risk of new incursions 
• an understanding of the scientific, technical and policy aspects of weed and plant pest and disease surveillance 
• experience in managing and motivating a nationally dispersed team undertaking complex tasks including prioritising efforts to meet changing operational needs, negotiating the resolution of issues or conflicting points of view and harnessing the skills and knowledge of the team 
• demonstrated capacity to communicate effectively with diverse stakeholder groups 
• experience working in metropolitan and remote locations and using Work Health and Safety principles to reduce risk.

Eligibility and other requirements

Mandatory qualifications

A tertiary qualification in the area of biological science, environmental science or agriculture and demonstrated relevant experience (5 years minimum). Applicants with other tertiary qualifications and demonstrated relevant experience and aptitude may be considered.

The successful applicant must:

• hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
• 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, 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
• note intrastate and interstate travel may be required for this position.