•  Help safeguard Australia from the introduction of unwanted pests and diseases.
•  National recruitment process for multiple vacancies.
•  Inspect imported goods, process arriving travellers, assess documentation.

Who we are
The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment works to protect Australia’s natural resources and helps develop strong agricultural industries. The Biosecurity Operations Division (BOD) takes a regulatory approach to the implementation of effective border controls to manage biosecurity threats. The division delivers its functions across defined pathways, including cargo, mail, conveyances, food and travellers. Border controls include, but are not limited to inspection, assessment, community engagement and contact centre services. The division also provides husbandry services for animals and plants through its post entry quarantine facility.

The Jobs
The main duties of a Biosecurity Officer may include, but are not limited to:

•  performing a range of inspections on imported goods, vessels, aircraft, animals and animal genetic material and the assessment of documentation to confirm compliance with Australia’s biosecurity and export market requirements
•  managing goods that do not comply with import/export requirements and capturing information to support evidence-based decisions
•  providing timely and accurate advice on biosecurity matters to stakeholders/clients and senior managers
•  identifying trends in biosecurity risks and escalating these to assist in targeting intelligence and risk-based activities
•  managing, modelling and monitoring compliance with appropriate standards of behaviour in line with departmental expectations as well as the APS Code of Conduct and Values
•  promoting and complying with departmental WHS and Rehabilitation policies and guidelines and being alert for and reporting risks to local management and WHS
•  providing on-the-job coaching and assisting and supporting other employees on biosecurity issues.

Biosecurity Officer – Detector Dog Handler roles – please note that these vacancies are only available in Sydney and Melbourne
In addition to the above duties you will handle, monitor and maintain your assigned Detector Dog/s, including ensuring their health, welfare and proficiency for the screening of international passengers, mail and cargo. Applicants should note that for these roles further assessment will be required.

Please note that this selection process will be used to fill multiple vacancies, both ongoing and non-ongoing. Non-ongoing contracts will be offered for an initial period of 6 to 12 months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of three years in total. Non ongoing (casual) contracts will be offered for periods of up to 2 years. Some of these non-ongoing position(s) may become ongoing in the next 12 months. Should a position become ongoing then the merit pool established through this selection process may be used to fill the vacancy on an ongoing basis. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of twelve months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing and non‑ongoing vacancies in the division where the duties are of a similar nature.

For more information on the day in the life of a Biosecurity Officer, please click here.

Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicants must:

•  hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
•  note that the ability to perform shift work is a requirement when applying for this position(s)
•  note that the physical requirements of the role(s) involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
•  note that they may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work
•  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
•  obtain and maintain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC) and a Maritime Security Identification Card (MSIC)
•  note that there may be a requirement to travel to regional areas
•  meet departmental health and security requirements
•  complete the department's Biosecurity Foundation Program and meet the minimum requirements in order to be appointed as a Biosecurity Officer under the Biosecurity Act 2015.

Please note that successful applicants will participate in the Biosecurity Foundation Program on commencement, with an initial induction and core unit sessions held during regular business hours. Centralised training at a location yet to be determined may be required however further details will be provided prior to commencement in the role. Once suitably trained and assessed, biosecurity officers can expect to be deployed across multiple pathways and functions in response to business needs within their location.