•  This is an opportunity to assist in enhancing Australia’s agriculture through regulation and partnership.
•  Be part of a dynamic team achieving strong outcomes for the department, industry and the people of Australia by assisting in the compliance of biosecurity for avian species in quarantine.
•  Work in state-of-the-art facilities used to manage biosecurity risks associated with avian and, more broadly, animals and plants.

Who we are 
The Post-Entry Quarantine Group (PEQ) is responsible for the post arrival quarantine of plants and animals at the Mickleham Post-entry Quarantine Facility located on the outskirts of Melbourne. The Mickleham PEQ Facility is purpose built for accommodating high risk plants, horses, cats, dogs, ruminants, birds and bees while undergoing post-entry quarantine. Working in partnership with plant scientists and veterinarians, we ensure that all plants and animals passing through the facility meet all necessary requirements to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements for their safe import and that the health and welfare of the plants and animals is maintained throughout the period of their stay in PEQ.

The Avian Unit facilitates the import of hatching poultry eggs and live pigeons for industry and other stakeholders. The management of avian species within quarantine involves the highest level of physical containment undertaken at the PEQ facility - Biosecurity Containment Level 3 (BC3). This is a seven day a week operation.

The Job
The key duties of the role include, but are not limited to:

•  assisting the Avian Technical Team Leader manage the import process and biosecurity requirements for avian species within a PC3 environment
•  the delivery of biosecurity services related to avian imports, ensuring adherence to the instructional material, including monitoring building function and the movement of goods and people during quarantine isolation
•  assisting departmental Veterinary Officers with treatments, dosing and sampling as required
•  supervising cleaning and the management of waste during quarantine
•  liaising with, and supervising, on-site industry representatives involved in the management of avian imports, ensuring that daily building activities are performed correctly, the birds appear healthy, and the unit is clean and tidy
•  maintaining computer based and manual records, as appropriate, for operational and audit purposes
•  liaising with clients and industry stakeholders as required
•  making decisions (including exercising delegations) under the Biosecurity Act 2015
•  assisting, and gaining knowledge of, other areas of PEQ including but not limited to other units in the section responsible for cats, dogs and horses
•  ensuring compliance with, and adherence to, departmental WHS policies and guidelines as well as the APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Please note that this recruitment process will be used to fill a current vacancy in the Avian Unit. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Public Service Gazette, may also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
•  Previous experience in a quarantine or biocontainment facility will be highly regarded.
•  Demonstrated experience (or the capacity to learn) in the handling and care of a range of avian species, in particular poultry and pigeons, is desirable.
•  Experience in managing animal welfare and an understanding of animal behaviour and industry practices including intense poultry production.
•  An understanding of the Biosecurity Act 2015 and other relevant legislative and policy frameworks.

Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicant must:

•  note that a requirement of this position is that you do not own or live with any birds, including poultry, in order to minimise the risk of the transmission of disease
•  adhere to stand down requirements for avian consignments which requires the prevention of all contact with birds before and after contact with quarantined consignments
•  note the requirement to perform work duties in a PC3 environment under challenging conditions at times, including undertaking personal decontamination measures which includes showering in and out and the removal of jewellery and piercings
•  note that the physical requirements of the role involve a combination of outdoor and office-based work
•  wear an official uniform supplied by the department, including during field operations (as applicable), in accordance with the department’s uniform policy
•  meet physical fitness minimum standards to undertake work within the role
•  hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence
•  note that they may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work
•  note that the ability to perform shift work is a requirement when applying for this position(s)
•  wear appropriate protective personal equipment and clothing to comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

Candidate Information Package DOCX

Candidate Information Package PDF

Job Description

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