General information Title: Principal Biosecurity Officer, Weeds Classification: PO4 Division: Biosecurity SA Type of appointment: Branch: NRM Biosecurity Ongoing Business NRM Biosecurity Term contract Location: Waite Campus, Urrbrae Casual Hours of duty: 37.5 hours per week ANZSCO code: 2244 HRMS No: PR4185 Objective ID: A2659820 File reference: F2011/000724 Our organisation Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) assists our primary industries and regions to grow, innovate and maximise their economic growth potential. We lead the delivery of the Government s Premium Food and Wine Produced in our Clean Environment and Exported to the World economic priority. We lead and coordinate the state s regional development agenda to improve economic and social outcomes for regional South Australia through the Government s Charter for Stronger Regional Policy. We involve and engage with all levels of government, industry, academia and the broader community. This ensures we make good decisions, have clear and relevant policies, plan and implement effective programs and broker shared responsibility. PIRSA comprises of approximately 900 people working in locations across metropolitan and regional South Australia. Our connection to the South Australian Strategic Plan and Economic Priorities Our primary industries and regions are crucial for the prosperity of state, and are continuing to grow in importance. The rapidly increasing global demand for high quality food and wine, combined with South Australia s strong reputation for food safety, biosecurity and product integrity creates significant opportunities for the state. Agribusiness in South Australia, which includes food, wine, fisheries, fibre and forestry, is a vital part of the state s economy, generating approximately $19.7 billion in revenue annually, and accounting for 48% (or $5.4billion) of South Australia s total merchandise exports. Our food and wine sectors employ one in five South Australians. Our regions also make a substantial contribution to the state s economy, not only through agribusiness but also through mining and minerals processing, manufacturing, tourism and energy production. Our regions contribute about $25 billion to the state s economy and produce about half of our merchandise exports, and they do so with just 29% of our population. Strong regions are the foundation of a strong state, and key to providing a prosperous future for all South Australians. Our focus on growing agribusiness and regions includes a range of diverse areas associated with policy development, biosecurity and emergency management, fisheries and aquaculture management, research and development and integrated solutions in agribusiness development. Within the framework of South Australia s Strategic Plan (SASP), the agency maintains a key focus to grow the contribution made by South Australian food industry to $20 billion by 2020.PIRSA also leads the State Government s economic priority of Premium Food and Wine Produced in our Clean Environment and Exported to the World and contributes to the delivery of the other nine priorities. Our values The South Australian public sector values are central to the way we work. Service, professionalism, trust, respect, collaboration and engagement, honesty and integrity, courage and tenacity and sustainability are the cornerstones for how we interact with industry, community, other government agencies and each other. PIRSA is embedding the Premier s vision of a modern and capable public sector that works together with citizens, business and community to deliver results for South Australia through our Change@PIRSA program.
Our expectations You accept responsibility for your own and others safety and will adopt appropriate hazard management practices consistent with the role, including contributing towards the completion of the Site Safety Management Plans. You uphold the ethical behaviour and professional integrity standards as contained in the Public Sector Act, 2009. You familiarise yourself with the Code of Ethics for the South Australian Public Sector and ensure that you follow it. You participate in PIRSA s Performance Management and Development Program. You may be assigned alternative duties consistent with PIRSA s business needs and/or the developmental needs arising from your performance review conversations. You contribute to whole-of-agency working groups developing PIRSA policy responses to significant and emerging issues as required. You undertake training and participation in emergency management activities as required. You implement and maintain security in line with whole-of-government and agency policies. You adhere to the PIRSA Smoke Free Policy. About the role The Principal Biosecurity Officer, Weeds is located in the NRM Biosecurity unit within Biosecurity SA, a division of PIRSA. Biosecurity SA has overall responsibility for biosecurity including pest and disease policy, planning, surveillance, preparedness, incursion response and ongoing management. NRM Biosecurity, which includes vertebrate pests, weeds and aquatic pests, is parallel with other Biosecurity SA units for animal health and plant health. Other cross-sector units in Biosecurity SA cover strategy and policy, compliance, emergency management, compliance and business performance. NRM Biosecurity is focused primarily on the management of weeds and vertebrate pests declared under the Natural Resources Management Act 2004 (NRM Act) and on the management of aquatic pests under the Fisheries Management Act 2007. NRM Biosecurity works closely with the eight NRM Boards, through their partnership with the Department of Environment Water and Natural Resources (DEWNR) and equivalent interstate agencies to achieve coordinated, strategic responses to new incursions and management of existing priority pest species. NRM Biosecurity provides policy and technical advice and support to regulatory activities, collaborates in research on pest control techniques, fosters surveillance and early intervention systems and supports pest awareness and education activities. These all contribute to achieving the State NRM Plan, delivery of premium food, wine and fibre production, and protection of natural environments and public safety. The Principal Biosecurity Officer, Weeds is responsible for delivering high level strategic, policy and scientific leadership for the Weeds Group, which ensures the ongoing effective and sustainable management of declared plants under the NRM Act. In this capacity the role provides high level technical, policy and planning advice, including representing SA s interests on NRM biosecurity weed management issues in national and state forums, committees and working groups; and ensuring that relevant biosecurity objectives are aligned with the SA Government s natural resource management and biosecurity frameworks. The Principal Biosecurity Officer, Weeds is a strong advocate for weed management principles and appropriate investments in associated management strategies across the biosecurity continuum. The Principal Biosecurity Officer, Weeds oversees and leads on the development and conduct of a broad range of critical weed management and control programs, research projects and communication initiatives. In this capacity the incumbent exercises a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between key stakeholders (industry, government, community and scientific) in order to plan and prioritise the delivery of the assigned program areas. This requires the incumbent to have a strong understanding of all areas of PIRSA s, other SA departments and interstate and national agencies activities and to build and maintain strong links with internal and external stakeholders. The business environment is shaped by legislative and policy frameworks. It is critical that the incumbent has a sound understanding of the NRM Act and its operation, as well as being familiar with other state and national frameworks, including the role of the Invasive Plants and Animals Committee in the delivery of the Intergovernmental Agreement on Biosecurity. Key activities to be delivered by June 2016 include: Page 2 of 7
Public consultation, industry liaison, formal correspondence and high level liaison across government agencies for the last phase of the Declared Plant Review under the NRM Act. Consultation with key stakeholders on a discussion paper on roadside weed management, and a draft manual for roadside weed management is prepared. Oversight of externally-funded projects, ensuring the meeting of milestones for progress and financial reports. Extension materials produced to a high standard including the update of the SA Weed Control app. Other requirements specific to the role include: Possession of a current driver s licence and a willingness to drive. Out of hours work and intra and interstate travel may be required. Essential qualifications An appropriate Degree in Science, Agricultural Science, Natural Resource Management or equivalent is essential. Key results STRATEGIC PROGRAM LEADERSHIP, PLANNING & MANAGEMENT Weed management strategic priorities, directions, programs and projects are planned and delivered, to support the objectives of the State Strategic Plan, PIRSA s Strategic Directions, Biosecurity SA s and NRM Biosecurity s workplans and the requirements of the Natural Resources Management Act 2004. Critical, complex and integrated weed management programs are expertly planned, initiated, developed and managed, in collaboration with key internal and external stakeholders. Significant contribution is made to the development and delivery of NRM Biosecurity weed risk management frameworks, including the identification and analysis of impacts and the implementation of controls. Expert leadership is delivered for strategic planning processes, which guide and inform the innovative development and implementation of weed control policies, strategies, plans and processes for South Australia. Significant leadership is delivered for the development, oversighting, review and analysis of new, innovative and effective weed management scientific research, extension and coordination projects and initiatives. Change initiatives, strategic directions, plans and efficiencies, which are responsive to the evolving political and business climate, and Divisional priorities, are developed, implemented and driven. Significant and expert contribution is made to the development, implementation and review of government policy for biosecurity and its integration with other aspects of natural resources management. High level oversight and leadership ensures that international and national trends are adapted, as appropriate, in South Australian weed management programs. High level oversight and leadership ensures the ongoing technical excellence and budgetary compliance of Biosecurity SA weed management projects. Research priorities and projects are actively identified, initiated and effectively managed. Biosecurity standards and procedures are benchmarked against internationally accepted standards and best practice. Emergency response capability is significantly supported through participation in exercises, timely maintenance of response protocols and liaison with other relevant PIRSA divisions. A responsible and defensible role, that is consistent with ecologically sustainable development, is adopted to effectively balance a wide range of environmental, social and economic considerations. STRATEGIC RELATIONSHIPS, CONSULTANCY AND ADVICE Strategic relationships, partnerships, liaison, and expert advice, which underpins and sustains NRM Biosecurity s weed management goals and objectives, are effectively managed, fostered and maintained. Critical and sensitive partnerships with NRM Boards, DEWNR, other agencies, community and industry are fostered, to facilitate a collaborative, whole of government approach to the delivery of pest animal management objectives, and the resolution of critical issues and disputes Expert scientific, policy, and risk management advice is provided to the Manager, NRM Biosecurity, and other senior stakeholders, to support State and national policy and strategy development
Expert anaylsis, briefings, reports and consultancy services are provided across government and to the Minister, Chief Executive, Executive Director and relevant government agencies and industry stakeholders on a range of complex weed management matters. Requirements are identified and acted upon in order to ensure that NRM biosecurity weed management material, that is developed and released by PIRSA, is of consistently high standard. The commitment and cooperation of producers, industry organisations and industry leaders to weed management programs is maximised by ensuring that procedures are in place for industry participation, consultation and the resolution of disputes. The Department s and the Team s goals and objectives are professionally represented in cross government State and National committees, working parties, forums and seminars. Natural Resource Management biosecurity awareness and preparedness, and an understanding of regulatory requirements and obligations, is promoted and developed with all relevant stakeholders The concerns and requirements of the industry stakeholders are sought through thorough consultation processes, continually monitored and incorporated into planning and decision making OPERATIONAL MANAGEMENT Responsive, relevant and transparent leadership is delivered, and frameworks and processes are in place, to ensure that weed management programs are managed efficiently and effectively Emergency responses to state-level weed incursions are expertly led, monitored and reviewed to ensure they meet critical objectives and deliver best practice outcomes for the State. Effective management, leadership, and ongoing development, is delivered to NRM Biosecurity Pest Animal Group staff, to ensure they are motivated, directed and conversant with Divisional goals. Contracts for complex and critical pest management expertise and services are negotiated and managed. High level contributions are made to the Division s management team on matters affecting the operational success of the whole Division. Program performance targets and finances are determined, managed, monitored and cost recovered effectively and within delegated authority. Operational policies and procedures are determined and implemented, and processes are in place to ensure, monitor and evaluate the efficiency and effectiveness of programs and service delivery. Appropriate records management practices are effectively implemented to ensure compliance with relevant legislation, government and departmental records management policies, and current administrative practices. Significant contribution is made to the development of workforce plans to ensure the right skills and capabilities are attracted, recruited and retained for current and future business needs Codes of practice for WHS and Equal Employment Opportunity are promoted and in place. Key relationships The Principal Biosecurity Officer, Weeds reports to the Manager NRM Biosecurity. The role also: Manages a team of professional and operational staff, and works closely with other Biosecurity Officers across the Branch. Works closely with Biosecurity SA program managers, regional NRM managers, industry leaders and senior operational staff of government agencies within SA and at interstate and national level. Establishes strong links with Senior Executives with responsibilities for weed management, and with other managers across the Division, the Department and other relevant agencies (particularly the Department of Environment, Water and Natural Resources). Represents the Government on a range of advisory groups and State and Federal committees
Capabilities profile Capability (maximum of 8) Professional & Technical Knowledge Demonstrates thorough knowledge of NRM and Biosecurity policy, legislation, techniques, standards, directions and issues, particularly those associated with weed species within the South Australian context; recognised as a key adviser on complex technical and scientific weed management strategies and issues. Leading and Motivating Others Leads by example at the highest level; acts as a role model of effective public sector leadership; causes people to believe what they do makes a difference; uses different leadership styles effectively to achieve objectives. Relationship Building and Maintaining Generates genuine partnerships, interacts confidently and employs astute perception with strong listening and questioning skills in complex or unfamiliar situations; able to relate to and communicate with people from diverse 'cultures', locations and ages. Written Communication Expertly prepares written material eg. submissions, reports, speeches, press releases etc; writing on behalf of the agency; communicates complex or delicate issues, selecting language, tone and format to suit target recipients. Behaviours (maximum of 3; Professional & Technical Knowledge unlimited) Has high level experience in all relevant aspects of NRM and Biosecurity program delivery, particularly those associated with weed species within the South Australian context, and an in-depth knowledge of the industry, major issues, trends, developments and their implications for future directions. Demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of South Australian NRM and Biosecurity and its standards, legislation, management policies, frameworks and government processes. Has in depth knowledge and grasp of, and provides expert professional/technical advice to support decision making relating to the biology, ecology and risk assessments of weed species. Has high credibility with industry members and other government agencies. Uses expertise to develop and apply scientific models and frameworks to create new knowledge and practice Adapts leadership style to suit different situations, influences others to assume ownership of organisational goals and inspires a sense of purpose and direction. Encourages and supports others to stretch themselves to grasp new challenges and opportunities and support each other. Understands, and is able to represent, the broad and diverse range of issues across the organisation. Develops a view of the organisation that transcends individual groups or divisions Builds positive, genuine relationships in which to create shared frameworks and understandings. Comfortable with personal and formal power, skilfully handling issues of power and rank in relationship. Able to quickly and genuinely engage, and be engaging, with a wide range of people, issues and intensities of activity. Builds relationships of trust and cooperation with key stakeholders, identifying leaders and those with influence Writes skilfully, with awareness of the impact of communication on individuals, organisations and communities. Conveys complex information which is both accurate and sensitive to the social/political environment. Sets up feedback loops to monitor the effectiveness of written communications. Prepares high level scientific documents for publication.