Biocontainment Manager

• APS 6 - $99,734 - $112,044 per annum plus superannuation
• Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
• Mickleham, VIC

Lead critical containment operations that help manage Australia’s biosecurity while maintaining the highest standards of safety, compliance, and operational excellence. Join our team as a Biocontainment Manager and provide leadership in risk management, regulatory oversight, and facility management. If you thrive in high-responsibility environments and want to make a meaningful national impact, apply today. 

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

We protect Australia’s plant health to support trade, the economy, and the environment. Our division provides scientific advice, diagnostics, biosecurity training, and risk assessments. We enable safe plant imports, strengthen systems, and engage stakeholders. Surveillance and response are conducted at national entry points and approved sites, including northern Australia. We work closely with communities and Indigenous rangers to manage biosecurity risks, including in the Torres Strait.

The Post-Entry Quarantine Group (PEQ) manages the quarantine of high-risk plants and animals at the Mickleham Facility near Melbourne. Purpose-built for species like horses, cats, dogs, birds, and bees, the facility ensures compliance with import regulations. In collaboration with scientists and veterinarians, PEQ safeguards the health and welfare of all arrivals throughout their quarantine period.

This is where you play an important role.

We are seeking applicants who are energetic, resilient, capable and driven, to enable the department to achieve its service delivery goals. A flexible approach to problem solving and ability to use initiative is equally important. Under limited direction, the successful candidate will perform a range of duties relating to the management of the avian facility biocontainment units at the Mickleham PEQ site.

The duties of the role may include some or all of the following: 

• Management of complex mechanical, electrical and hydraulic operations and maintenance of physical biocontainment units to ensure the required conditions for quarantine of avian species can be maintained.
• Management of the complex building and its services to ensure the requirements of BC3 codes and standards for quarantine of avian species are maintained.
• Provision of timely and accurate technical advice relating to complex issues for management and operation of physical biocontainment units.
• Engagement with internal and external stakeholders to ensure facility maintenance requirements do not impact biosecurity.
• Overseeing regular and emergency maintenance requirements of biocontainment units.
• Management of annual facility and equipment certification requirements.
• Leadership and supervision of a small number of direct reports.
• Preparation of reports and maintaining computer based and manual records as appropriate.
• Provision of technical input into development of relevant standard operating procedures, instructional material and training.
• Promotion and ensuring compliance with department WHS policies and guidelines.
• Promotion and ensuring adherence to APS Values and Code of Conduct.

Please note that 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 also be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

Our ideal candidate will have:

• A high level of demonstrated recent experience in facility management, laboratory, or an engineering-related role associated with a Physical Containment facility.
• A thorough understanding of the relevant regulatory codes and standards, including AS/NZS 2243.3 and DAFF AA7.10.
• Demonstrated understanding and knowledge of complex mechanical, electrical and other services required to operate and maintain physical containment requirements.
• Experience with the use and maintenance of autoclaves and gaseous decontamination equipment.
• Experience dealing with a complex range of stakeholders including specialist trades, facility management providers and government stakeholders.
• Excellent stakeholder relationship management and high-level communication skills, and the ability to effectively collaborate with a diverse range of stakeholders to achieve shared outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills to interpret complex technical information and make informed decisions, particularly as it relates to the interpretation of legislation and adherence to laboratory regulatory codes and standards.
• The ability to prioritise tasks, positively respond to changing priorities and leverage individual and team capabilities to meet delivery standards and strategic objectives.
• The ability to facilitate and support a positive team environment and create a dynamic, flexible and collegiate workplace.
• High level writing skills, with demonstrated experience delivering a range of written products including briefings for senior executives, ministerial responses and policy and technical documents.
• The ability to competently:
  o understand and educate others in biocontainment principles and standards
  o demonstrate strict adherence to BC3 requirements
  o use the Building Management System as a tool to diagnose and fault-find system issues
  o plan and oversee routine building and equipment maintenance
  o manage and, on occasion, operate containment barrier equipment
  o manage non-routine events

The successful candidate:

• Hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers’ licence.
• 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.
• You may be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.
• There may be unexpected situations which require the Biocontainment Manager to urgently attend site outside of normal working hours.
• An on-call roster may apply.
• The requirement to perform work duties in a BC3 environment under challenging conditions at times, including undertaking personal decontamination measures which involves showering in and out and the removal of jewellery and piercings.
• A requirement of this position is that you do not own or live with any birds, including poultry, to minimise the risk of disease transmission.
• Adhere to stand down requirements for avian consignments which requires the prevention of all contact with birds before and after contact with quarantined consignments.

VetPaths
The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support. More information can be found here.
For additional information, please read the Job Description below. 

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