Who we are

Biosecurity Operations Division (BOD) delivers nationally integrated biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities to ensure goods, conveyances and travellers meet Australia's import requirements. Division operations include policy and regulatory control setting across imported food and biosecurity risk pathways, as well as the delivery of assessment, inspection, community engagement and contact centre services. The division also partners with industry to improve the delivery of regulatory functions. The division spans a range of regulatory activities that plays a critical role in reducing risk and shaping our nation to become one of the few countries in the world to remain free from the world’s most severe pests and diseases. The division is made up of a number of pathways including:

Air/Sea Cargo Operations Inspections are responsible for the inspection of imported food, goods, vessels, aircraft, animals and animal genetic material and the assessment of documentation to confirm compliance with Australia’s biosecurity and export market requirements. The team are also responsible for managing goods that do not comply with import/export requirements and capturing information to support evidence-based decisions. Cargo Inspections mainly operate within core business hours between 06:30 and 18:30, with overtime available outside of these hours where required. Additional wage allowances are provided for working outdoors and at wharf environments. Cargo Operations Inspections are combination office and field based roles.

Maritime Operations and Regional Ports delivers regulatory assessment and inspections of arriving international vessels to ensure compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements. This pathway works with policy teams within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements. The pathway has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities and major regional ports. Maritime Operations are combination office and field based roles.

Military Operations are responsible for conducting inspections and assessments related to the movement of military cargo, conveyances, and personnel across both onshore and offshore environments. A significant portion of this work is carried out under the framework of Combined Military Activities, which often leads to increased operational demands at specific ports. The team is agile and responsive, with staff expected to deploy to locations beyond their home port as needed to support surges in activity. Military Operations work typically occur during core business hours, from 06:30 to 18:30, with overtime available outside these hours when required. Staff receive additional wage allowances for working in outdoor and wharf environments. Roles within Military Operations involve a combination of office-based and field-based duties, requiring flexibility and adaptability from team members.

Travellers Operations delivers regulatory screening and inspections of travellers and their goods, at the border to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity requirements. Travellers Operations works with policy and risk owners within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements, national standards, and a risk-based operating model. The operations group has a national footprint with a presence at international airports and seaports in all capital cities.

Please note that for Travellers Operations, these are shift based roles and the ability to perform shift work is a requirement when applying for this position(s). For Darwin Travellers positions, these roles are part-time.

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

Please note that this selection process will be used initially to fill 1 ongoing vacancy. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen 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.

If a non ongoing contract were offered this would be for an initial period of 12 months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of two years in total. Some of these non-ongoing position(s) may become ongoing. 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.

Positions may be full-time or part-time depending on business needs and requirements. You will be required to attend full time for an initial training period if you are offered a part time position.

The Job

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

• Performing a range of screening, inspection, assurance and scheduling related activities associated with cargo, conveyances and people entering Australia.

• Assessing documentation to confirm compliance with Australia’s biosecurity 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, employees and senior managers via telephone and email.

• 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 and including 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.

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

Please note that this selection process will be initially used to fill 1 ongoing vacancy, in operations. The merit pool established through this selection process, which is valid for a period of eighteen 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.

If a non ongoing contract were offered this would be for an initial period of 12 months with the possibility of extension up to a maximum of two years in total. Some of these non-ongoing position(s) may become ongoing. 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.

Positions may be full-time or part-time depending on business needs and requirements. You will be required to attend full time for an initial training period if you are offered a part time position.

What we are looking for

Knowledge and experience

Successful applicants will contribute to the division meeting its regulatory goals of managing biosecurity threats by demonstrating the following key attributes:

• Integrity

o Demonstrate sound moral and ethical principles across all areas of work.

o Undertake duties in line with the Biosecurity Act 2015 and decision support materials.

o Maintain biosecurity and personal integrity at all times.

• Independence

o Ensure activities are performed without interference or undue influence from those being regulated or those who have a vested interest.

o The ability to make decisions within the scope of your authority through sound judgement and decision making whilst working independently with minimal supervision.

• A clear purpose and level of curiosity

o Articulate a clear purpose by understanding your role and the role of the department as a regulator.

o Attention to detail whilst remaining open and inquisitive to consider elements outside the task at hand.

• Appropriate use of authority

o A good understanding of legislative powers (or the ability to acquire) and the ability to use them in a professional manner.

o The ability to make evidence-based decisions using sound judgement in line with legislation.

o The confidence and willingness to challenge, even where doubt exists.

o The ability to manage conflict.

• Accountability

o Accountable for your actions and be able to make and explain informed defensible decisions.

o Take responsibility to see activities through to completion.

o Work effectively in a team environment, building and sustaining collaborative relationships.

• Resilience

o Manage change and maintain focus on strategic objectives.

o Display agility and flexibility to adapt and deliver regulatory functions and operational outcomes in evolving circumstances.

• Transparency

o Fair, impartial and open to scrutiny.

Skills and capabilities

Successful applicants will be able to demonstrate the following skills and abilities:

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills to form views, provide advice and make effective evidence-based regulatory decisions in accordance with legislation, policies and procedures.

• The ability to use initiative and work independently to meet operational demands while navigating through changing priorities.

• The ability to work effectively and safely to achieve sound outcomes in a fast paced and challenging environment.

• The ability to problem-solve and appropriately escalate sensitive matters in a timely manner.

• The ability to use risk management tools and techniques.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to effectively liaise with clients, peers, management and stakeholders.

• Digital literacy skills to confidently learn and utilise the department’s systems and devices.

The ability to contribute to, promote and implement business change.

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.

• 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 that you must satisfactorily 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.

• There may be a requirement for travel to regional areas.

• Note that for Travellers Operations: The ability to perform shift work is a requirement when applying for these positions.

How to apply

At this stage of the selection process applicants are only required to submit a current CV/resume. Applicants will be assessed via a multi-stage selection process which could include cognitive testing, interviews, referee reports etc.

The Australian Public Service Commission has produced an excellent guide to applying for jobs in the Australian Public Service. You can access this information at APSCs Cracking the Code.