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.

As an Operations Manager, you will lead and manage operational teams within the PEQ to deliver regulatory outcomes aligned with the section’s business plan and biosecurity objectives. The role contributes to the section by driving operational efficiency, workforce capability, and continuous improvement across animal and plant quarantine operations. You will provide strategic and operational leadership, manage staff performance and development, resolve complex regulatory and client issues, and engage with internal and external stakeholders to support effective, compliant, and consistent service delivery.

The key duties of the position include:

This is where you play an important role.

As the Operations Manager, you will:

• Lead and manage a team of staff and contractors to deliver biosecurity services related to animal imports at the PEQ. 
• Build team capability through coaching, personal development and training opportunities performance feedback, conflict resolution and encourage career development.
• Continually monitor and review practices and processes to ensure effectiveness and efficiency to assist in strategic planning and business improvement initiatives.
• Acquire relevant technical knowledge and ensure you apply relevant legislative requirements, financial and administrative frameworks to ensure your team complies with these requirements
• Making decisions relating to biosecurity requirements under the Biosecurity Act 2015
• Ensure your team adhere to the relevant instructional material, undertake training, competency assessments and verification activities for business assurance. 
• Promote and ensure adherence to department Core 4 values, APS Values, Employment Principles and Code of Conduct while managing diversity and inclusion. 
• Promote and ensure compliance with departmental WHS and Rehab policies and guidelines; and be alert for and report risks to WHS.
• Connect and participate in the Leadership Development Network across the South East region.
• Effectively communicate and liaise with internal and external stakeholders including security personnel, facility management, departmental Veterinary Officers, industry grooms and attending private vets to achieve successful biosecurity and welfare outcomes for animals in quarantine. 

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.

Eligibility

Our ideal candidate will have:

• The ability to communicate, liaise, negotiate, and provide timely and accurate advice to employees, stakeholders/clients, and report to senior managers.
• The ability to gather, understand and interpret complex operational and technical matters and resolve problems.
• The ability to be a strong team player who is collegiate and facilitates a positive team environment, treats people with respect and courtesy and works under limited direction. 
• Competently able to undertake general administrative functions associated with management of staffing and other resources, including assisting the preparation and analysis of documentation such as budgets and forecasting, performance management, staffing, financial and resource assessments and status reports, schedules, shift rosters.
• Assist with and facilitate the development and implementation of innovative strategies, procedures and other projects as required. 
• Competence in Microsoft Teams, GovTeams, Outlook, Word and Excel and a desire to learn new systems to support data analysis and reporting. 

The successful candidate:

• Must hold and maintain a valid Australian motor vehicle drivers licence.
• May be required to participate in an on-call roster (with appropriate restriction allowance) and be available to perform duty outside standard hours.
• May be required to perform occasional out-of-hours and weekend work.
• Must wear appropriate protective personal equipment clothing and comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures.
• May be required to perform work duties in a BC3 environment under challenging conditions at times, including undertaking personal decontamination measures (e.g., showering out, removal of jewellery and piercings).
• Must obtain and maintain a Baseline Vetting security clearance.
• This position requires you to hold a ASIC Licence.

Notes

On 12 March 2026 the salary range for this position will increase to $99,734 - $112,044