Who we are

The Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division (BPSSD) safeguards Australia’s plant health status to achieve, maintain and expand overseas markets while protecting the economy and environment. The division includes four branches which together focus on providing scientific analysis and technical advice, facilitating the safe importation of plants and plant products, improving systems, market access, capacity building and stakeholder engagement. The division provides diagnostics, with advice on biosecurity risk and measures, and biosecurity training. The division conducts surveillance and response at first points of entry and approved arrangements sites nationally and delivers plant, animal and aquatic health surveillance in northern Australia. The division works closely with communities and Indigenous rangers and regulates biosecurity risk in the Torres Strait.

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 the Torres Strait and diverse surveillance and diagnostic services around Australia, including animal and plant health surveillance measures under the Northern Australia Quarantine Strategy.

The Technical Response Section is a specialist team that undertakes management and eradication of exotic plant pests, diseases and weeds that have been detected at or near the border through the department’s inspection and surveillance programs. Many of these detections have the potential to cause significant economic, environmental and/or social harm. We regularly coordinate with other areas of the department and external bodies involved in responses.

The Job

We are seeking a Data Manager to join our dynamic specialist team. This is a hybrid role; with most of the work managing data systems for the section plus working in the field with operational staff to ensure data capture systems are accurate and effective. The role will also provide training to the team in data capture systems.

As part of a local and national team, your work will include:

Data Management:

• Working closely with the Technical Response and data teams to ensure data systems are meeting their requirements.
• Conduct high quality analysis of data from field capture systems to prepare reports and data summaries, using languages and packages such as Python, R and SQL.
• Undertaking regular reporting to executive via the preparation of written reports and the creation of data visualisations via dashboards and presentations.
• Managing the historical data of the section; including the transitioning of data held in repositories and files into new databases.
• Engaging with internal and external stakeholders on data related matters.

Field Component:

• Working outside alongside field scientists, testing data capture systems to ensure accurate collection and reporting of data in line with response procedures. Some travel to regional areas/interstate may be required.

Training:

• Undertake training in data capture systems to the Technical Response team and other sections as required.

Leadership, supervision and reporting:

• Lead, promote and ensure effective implementation of Australian Public Sector (APS) Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct, Work, Health & Safety (WH&S) and Rehabilitation policies.
• Report to the Technical Response EL1 Planning role and provide assistance to that role in the delivery of TR section planning and strategic requirements.
• Manage and supervise staff as required.

Please note the merit pool established through this selection process will be valid for a period of 18 months from the date the vacancy was advertised in the Gazette and may be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the division, where the duties are of a similar nature.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

The successful applicants will have:

• A strong understanding of data management principles and a capacity to evaluate and improve existing data management systems.
• Experience working in plant biosecurity, environmental or scientific fields.
• Demonstrated experience in manipulating, transforming and quality checking of data.
• Demonstrated experience preparing well written reports.
• Sound knowledge of statistical and data visualisation computing tools and programs.
• Experience with scripting languages such as Python or R.
• Sound knowledge of SQL database systems and database management tools; ideally including Microsoft SQL Server.

Mandatory qualifications

Tertiary qualifications (minimum Bachelor degree) in a relevant scientific discipline and/or information technology.