The Operational Science and Surveillance (OSS) team has four technical sections, (1) Entomology, (2) Plant Pathology & Botany, (3) Surveillance, and (4) Technical Response, with a national network and laboratory facilities located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Cairns, Canberra, Darwin, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney. Collectively our work contributes to Australia’s favourable animal, plant and environmental status through the delivery of diagnostics services for pests, pathogens and plants/seeds, and biosecurity surveillance and response activities within Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry jurisdictions. The OSS team also provides technical, policy and pest mitigation advice and delivers training to departmental and industry staff.

The Job

Under the general direction of the Senior Entomologist, the Entomologist will contribute to scientific services and operational and policy advice. The duties of the roles may include, but are not limited to:

• undertaking diagnostics of insects and other invertebrates to a high level and in accordance with departmental policy, procedures and the laboratory quality management system

• preparing specimens for diagnostics and long-term preservation in departmental reference collections

• undertaking high quality diagnostic imaging of invertebrate specimens

• providing risk-based biosecurity management advice to Biosecurity Officers and other stakeholders

• maintaining paper-based and electronic data and records in line with policy, data and quality standards

• maintaining and developing diagnostic and other technical capability through participation in training, competency assessments and laboratory proficiency testing in line with quality system requirements

• contributing to the provision of technical advice and reporting for OSS clients that cover a range of policy, auditing, inspection, risk management and treatment activities

• participating in pest inspections, surveillance and response activities

• liaising, negotiating and communicating with technical specialists, government agencies, industry bodies and other stakeholders

• assisting with the development and delivery of training and awareness courses for inspection staff and other stakeholders

• participating in working groups and other network meetings and contributing to the development and review of national policies and procedures

• prioritising and managing time to provide an efficient and effective service to meet internal and external client expectations, within a regulatory environment

• working independently or under limited guidance and with a high level of initiative, integrity and flexibility to support the work practices of the team and the day-to-day operations of the laboratory

• providing innovative advice and supporting changes that may affect Operational Science and Surveillance and/or delivery of key outputs to clients

• promoting and ensuring compliance with departmental WH&S policies and guidelines, and being alert for and reporting risks regarding WH&S issues.