Job Description
APS 5 - $88,834 - $96,829 per annum plus superannuation
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
Mickleham, VIC
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 a Plant Team Leader, you lead plant quarantine operations to ensure safe, compliant and efficient regulatory delivery. You manage staff performance, wellbeing and capability; oversee biosecurity risk management, data integrity and horticultural activities; and provide expert regulatory and technical advice. The role supports section objectives by maintaining operational readiness, assuring compliance under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and delivering high quality services through strong governance, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement.
This is where you play an important role.
Leadership, Team Management and Operations: Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the plant quarantine team, including workload allocation, quality assurance and responsive resourcing. Monitor performance against KPIs and provide regular feedback, coaching and development. Conduct competency assessments, verification activities and on-the-job training to ensure operational readiness and business assurance. Support staff wellbeing, attendance and performance agreements, and exercise HR and administrative delegations related to timesheets, leave and rostering.
Regulatory Delivery and Risk Management: Ensure biosecurity risks and non-compliances are identified, assessed and managed in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2015, PEQ procedures and Approved Arrangement 5.2 requirements. Provide regulatory guidance, resolve complex operational issues and escalate matters appropriately. Oversee accurate and timely data entry, record keeping, compliance reporting and release of consignments in the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS). Support audit, assurance and reporting obligations, including SIRUS (an injury and hazard reporting system) investigations and corrective actions.
Horticultural and Technical Expertise: Provide specialist horticultural advice on plant care, propagation, budding, grafting, seed propagation and tissue culture as required. Lead annual and seasonal horticultural planning, including maintenance, stocktakes and rootstock procurement. Oversee pest and disease monitoring, ensure appropriate husbandry standards are met and support trials or media assessments. Maintain internal systems and report issues promptly.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Liaise with internal stakeholders and external clients to support service delivery. Provide clear advice to importers on bookings, compliance requirements and regulatory obligations. Coordinate meetings and prepare briefs, reports, minutes and correspondence. Assist in managing client issues, disputes and enquiries, ensuring decisions are consistent, transparent and defensible.
Governance, Safety and Program Support: Promote the APS Value and Code of Conduct, departmental policies and the Core 4 values whilst fostering a safe, inclusive and high performing culture. Participate in WHS inspections, support corrective actions and promote safe work practices. Maintain accurate records, support logistics, inventory and purchasing, contribute to business planning and improvement initiatives and use enterprise systems including Oracle, PEBS, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Power BI and Aurion.
Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill one vacancy. 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.
Who we are looking for
Applicants must have demonstrated experience in nursery management and propagation across diverse plant genera.
Preferably, our ideal applicant will also have:
experience working with IT systems or the ability to quickly obtain the required level of proficiency
experience working in regulatory environments or biosecurity related work experience in a Biosecurity Containment Level 2 (BC2) environment.
Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicant must obtain and maintain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC).
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.
Biosecurity Plant and Science Services Division
Mickleham, VIC
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 a Plant Team Leader, you lead plant quarantine operations to ensure safe, compliant and efficient regulatory delivery. You manage staff performance, wellbeing and capability; oversee biosecurity risk management, data integrity and horticultural activities; and provide expert regulatory and technical advice. The role supports section objectives by maintaining operational readiness, assuring compliance under the Biosecurity Act 2015 and delivering high quality services through strong governance, stakeholder engagement and continuous improvement.
This is where you play an important role.
Leadership, Team Management and Operations: Lead and manage the day-to-day operations of the plant quarantine team, including workload allocation, quality assurance and responsive resourcing. Monitor performance against KPIs and provide regular feedback, coaching and development. Conduct competency assessments, verification activities and on-the-job training to ensure operational readiness and business assurance. Support staff wellbeing, attendance and performance agreements, and exercise HR and administrative delegations related to timesheets, leave and rostering.
Regulatory Delivery and Risk Management: Ensure biosecurity risks and non-compliances are identified, assessed and managed in accordance with the Biosecurity Act 2015, PEQ procedures and Approved Arrangement 5.2 requirements. Provide regulatory guidance, resolve complex operational issues and escalate matters appropriately. Oversee accurate and timely data entry, record keeping, compliance reporting and release of consignments in the Post Entry Biosecurity System (PEBS). Support audit, assurance and reporting obligations, including SIRUS (an injury and hazard reporting system) investigations and corrective actions.
Horticultural and Technical Expertise: Provide specialist horticultural advice on plant care, propagation, budding, grafting, seed propagation and tissue culture as required. Lead annual and seasonal horticultural planning, including maintenance, stocktakes and rootstock procurement. Oversee pest and disease monitoring, ensure appropriate husbandry standards are met and support trials or media assessments. Maintain internal systems and report issues promptly.
Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Liaise with internal stakeholders and external clients to support service delivery. Provide clear advice to importers on bookings, compliance requirements and regulatory obligations. Coordinate meetings and prepare briefs, reports, minutes and correspondence. Assist in managing client issues, disputes and enquiries, ensuring decisions are consistent, transparent and defensible.
Governance, Safety and Program Support: Promote the APS Value and Code of Conduct, departmental policies and the Core 4 values whilst fostering a safe, inclusive and high performing culture. Participate in WHS inspections, support corrective actions and promote safe work practices. Maintain accurate records, support logistics, inventory and purchasing, contribute to business planning and improvement initiatives and use enterprise systems including Oracle, PEBS, SharePoint, Microsoft 365, Power BI and Aurion.
Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill one vacancy. 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.
Who we are looking for
Applicants must have demonstrated experience in nursery management and propagation across diverse plant genera.
Preferably, our ideal applicant will also have:
experience working with IT systems or the ability to quickly obtain the required level of proficiency
experience working in regulatory environments or biosecurity related work experience in a Biosecurity Containment Level 2 (BC2) environment.
Eligibility and other requirements
The successful applicant must obtain and maintain an Aviation Security Identification Card (ASIC).
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.
💡 Quick Summary
Seeking a career-building opportunity? The Team Leader - Plants position is now open for candidates interested in the Government Job Alert sector. This role in Mickleham offers a professional environment and growth potential.
Requirement Snapshot: Candidates should possess basic communication skills, a proactive attitude, and the ability to work in a team. Experience in Government Job Alert is a plus.