Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Biosecurity Operations Division and the departments’ goal.

Detector Dog Operations provides detector dogs and their handlers with the capability to screen imported goods for biosecurity risk material. These services are delivered nationwide, with technical supervisors leading teams to ensure the proficiency of both handlers and dogs is consistently maintained and deployment across multiple pathways in alignment with the department's business objectives.

We deliver biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities to ensure goods, conveyances, travellers and mail meet Australia's import requirements. We are responsible for operational policy and front-line regulatory control settings to manage biosecurity and imported food risk, through the delivery of screening, assessment and inspection activities, and stakeholder engagement and client contact services.

Cargo Operations South and Detector Dogs Branch delivers regulatory assessment and inspections of goods, across the biosecurity continuum (offshore, at the border and onshore) to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity and imported food requirements and has a presence in Victoria and Tasmania. The branch is also responsible for national delivery of client contact services, along with biosecurity detector dog program policy, training, and operations.

This is where you play an important role.

Our detector dog handlers play a critical role in protecting Australia’s biosecurity by working in partnership with an assigned detector dog(s) to screen international travellers, mail and cargo for potential biosecurity risks.

The role combines specialist dog handling and training responsibilities with broader biosecurity officer duties.

Key responsibilities of a Detector Dog Handler include but are not limited to:

• Handle, train and care for your assigned detector dog(s), ensuring their health, welfare, and operational proficiency in screening international travellers, mail, and cargo.

• Conduct regular training exercises to maintain and enhance detector dog performance.

• Develop and maintain your own skills as a handler and biosecurity officer.

• Maintain accurate operational and administrative records to support compliance, accountability, and effective decision making.

• Contribute to strategic planning and operational decision-making, ensuring detector dog capability support departmental objectives.

• Apply relevant legislation, policy and biosecurity frameworks while continually developing and maintaining your own skills as both a handler and biosecurity officer.

• Perform a range of biosecurity officer duties when not engaged in detector dog activities, including inspections, screening and stakeholder engagement,

• Model APS Values and Code of Conduct, actively promoting a safe and respectful workplace and Work Health and Safety principles and practices. Detector Dog handlers are Biosecurity Officers.

• Conducting screening, inspection and assurance activities across cargo, conveyances and people entering Australia to safeguard against biosecurity risks

• Assessing documentation and declarations to verify compliance with Australia’s biosecurity laws and requirements

• Managing non- compliant goods and capturing evidence to support regulatory decisions and enforcement actions.

• Delivering timely and accurate biosecurity advice to stakeholders, clients and colleagues to enable effective risk management.

• Identifying, analysing, and escalating trends in biosecurity risks to contribute to intelligence-led compliance and operational strategies.

• Providing on-the-job coaching and mentoring, supporting the capability development of colleagues fostering a culture of continuous improvement in biosecurity practices.

Click here to see what it’s like to work as one of our Detector Dog handlers and to find out more about Biosecurity.

Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill thirteen (13) vacancies in the section and that the role may be able to be performed from either of the locations listed above. 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 Public Service Gazette, may be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

Our ideal candidate will have:

· Experience or demonstrated strong interest in animal husbandry, handling, or training, with a sound understanding of animal behaviour, welfare and care.

· Operational biosecurity awareness - knowledge of or the ability to quickly acquire knowledge of the department’s role in delivering national biosecurity operations.

· Regulatory and compliance orientation – an understanding of risk management principles and the importance of regulatory compliance in protecting Australia from biosecurity threats.

· Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply legislation, policy, and procedures to make consistent, justifiable and lawful regulatory decisions.

· Strong analytical skills to assess information, form evidence-based views and provide clear well-reasoned advice.

· Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to build professional relationships and liaise with clients, colleagues, management and external stakeholders.

· Strong observational and record-keeping skills, ensuring accuracy, accountability and compliance in operational activities

· Ability to reflect on feedback, adapt quickly to change, and continuously improve personal performance and the effectiveness of assigned detector dog(s).

· Skilled in identifying issues, applying sound judgement, and escalating matters appropriately and in a timely manner.

· Confident digital literacy skills, with the ability to quickly learn and effectively utilise the department’s systems, tools and devices.

· Proven ability to work effectively, safely and collaboratively in a dynamic and challenging operational environment to achieve positive outcomes.