Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

• Join an innovative and world leading organisation to monitor and manage significant threats to Australia’s agriculture.
• Work closely with other field staff and an Officer in Charge to develop trip plans and undertake locust surveillance in a range of remote areas, both alone and/or as a member of a small team.
• Collect and upload surveillance data while in the field and provide scheduled daily communication updates with central office in Canberra.

Who we are

The Australian Chief Plant Protection Officer (ACPPO) is the primary representative of, and an advisor to, the Australian Government on all matters relating to the management, maintenance and improvement of Australia’s plant health status and the systems that support it. The objective of the ACPPO is to promote a shared vision for plant health that ensures Australia’s valuable plant resources and production capacity is protected and enhanced. This in turn drives opportunities for the Australian economy and Australia’s plant-based industries though production efficiencies, reduced pest pressures and improved access to domestic and international markets.

The Environmental Biosecurity Branch works collaboratively to strengthen Australia’s plant health and environmental biosecurity systems including through policy advice, surveillance, diagnostics, preparedness, and response capabilities. We lead and coordinate the management of established pests, diseases and weeds, and the Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC).

The Australian Plague Locust Commission (APLC) is jointly funded by New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland State Governments with a matching contribution from the Australian Government. The APLC is responsible for monitoring and managing locust populations that are a significant threat to agriculture.

The Job
The position of a Field Officer has responsibility for the following: 

• Be prepared to travel and undertake field work in rural and remote parts of Australia. 
• Working alone under limited supervision and as part of a small team.
• Conduct ground and/or aerial surveys to assess locust distribution and abundance, assess the habitat and collect data. 
• Participate in locust control campaigns including aerial and ground target search and assessment of control. 
• Assist in the operation and maintenance of field base and equipment. 
• Develop and maintain a network of relevant contacts in the rural community. 
  Assist scientific staff in research and development work as required e.g. field testing of insecticides, locust ecology, environmental impact etc. 
• Assist the Director and Operations Manager in any aspect of the Commission’s activities as required.

Please note:

• Applicants must hold a current Manual car license and have ability to drive a 4WD vehicle in a range of conditions.
• This recruitment exercise will be used to fill potential future vacancies in all listed locations for the period the order of merit is available. 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 vacancies in the division where the duties are of a similar nature.

Skills and Capabilities

• You must be self-reliant in remote and physically demanding situations and comply with all safety requirements, have attention to detail to ensure data is accurate and recorded in a timely manner. 
• You will maintain a 4WD vehicle and associated survey, control, communication, and safety equipment. 
• You will be able to establish and maintain collaborative relationships with stakeholders including state agency officers, local government, landholders, and others to assist with reporting of locusts and when undertaking control activities.

Knowledge and experience

• Relevant formal training and experience in an entomological, ecological, biological, agricultural, environmental, emergency response management or other relevant discipline or field. 
• Knowledge of agricultural/environmental pest survey and control.