Team Leader - Plant

Description:

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.
The Post-Entry Quarantine Group (PEQ) is responsible for the post arrival quarantine of plants and animals at the Mickleham Post-entry Quarantine Facility located on the outskirts of Melbourne. The Mickleham PEQ Facility is purpose built for accommodating high risk plants, horses, cats, dogs, ruminants, birds and bees while undergoing post-entry quarantine. Working in partnership with plant scientists and veterinarians, we ensure that all plants and animals passing through the facility meet all necessary requirements to demonstrate compliance with the regulatory requirements for their safe import and that the health and welfare of the plants and animals is maintained throughout the period of their stay in PEQ.
The role of a Team Leader within the PEQ is to lead and manage a team to support the achievement of operational outcomes in line with the business plan. The successful applicant will need to be driven, capable, resilient, and adaptable to change. They will be required to have a flexible approach to problem solving and demonstrate innovative leadership while providing support to and managing staff in a regulatory environment to achieve the department's service delivery goals. The position requires an experienced and enthusiastic leader to manage a workforce in day-to-day regulatory operations, including staff development, competency and performance. The ability to resolve complex problems and deal with client issues, plus engage with internal and external stakeholders to improve service delivery and business outcomes.
The key duties of the position include
The Job
The main duties of the Team Leader - Plant within PEQ may include, but not limited to:

• Lead and supervise a range of biosecurity activities within a post entry quarantine facility in accordance with established quarantine inspection policies and procedure.
• Supervise, lead and provide a high level of horticultural and nursery management skills to propagate and maintain valuable plant material undergoing post entry quarantine screening at the Government Plant Quarantine facility, Mickleham.
• Assist in all activities that support the team's operational requirements. This includes, analysis of documentation, resource management, performance management, preparation of documentation, high quality correspondence and written reports, preparation of schedules and shift rosters and general administrative functions across whole of site.
• Forward plan horticulture activities, including nursery production planning for upcoming peak seasons. This includes the purchasing of domestic rootstock and nursery equipment for upcoming seasons.
• Providing timely and accurate advice on complex biosecurity matters to employees, stakeholders/clients, and senior managers.
• Providing technical, administrative, and managerial support to senior staff.
• Resolving complex operational and technical matters.
• Liaising with clients and other government agencies, providing advice as necessary.
• Providing on-the-job training, assist and support other employees on biosecurity issues.
• Building and sustaining supportive, effective, and collaborative relationships.
• Actively participating in and contributing to the department's corporate objectives and support change management, including staff and client participation, consultation, and cultural change.
• Managing, modelling, and monitoring compliance with appropriate standards of behaviour including the APS Code of Conduct and Values.
• Promoting and complying with departmental Work Health and Safety and Rehabilitation policies and guidelines and be alert for and report risks to Work Health and Safety.
• Perform a range of biosecurity activities within a post entry quarantine facility in accordance with established quarantine inspection policies and procedure.
• Implement and maintain a high degree of biosecurity control and adherence to procedures to maintain biosecurity integrity.
• Undertake a range of plant husbandry duties to care for, treat and monitor plants subject to post entry quarantine.
• Provide a high level of horticultural and nursery management skills to propagate and maintain valuable plant material undergoing post entry quarantine screening at the Government Plant Quarantine facility, Mickleham.
• Ensure strict plant hygiene standards and pest and disease control is maintained to limit the spread of exotic plant pests within the nursery.