Assistant Director

Who we are The Plant Import Operations Branch contributes towards the maintenance of the favourable health status of Australia as well as the maintenance of market access by: coordinating the implementation of national technical operational plant quarantine policy which is consistent with international and national obligations; monitoring of pathways; the technical assessment of import permit applications and issuing import permits for imported plant and plant material; developing and verifying compliance with operational policy, procedures and standards; providing consistent and science based technical advice to staff, clients and stakeholders; and the facilitation of safe importation of plants and plant material. The branch is committed to monitoring, review and improvement and adopting best practice, including using risk-return principles, innovation and project management principles. The Improving Regulatory Service Delivery (IRSD) section is responsible for identifying, designing and communicating improvements to the regulatory systems the department administers. The focus of this work is on improving regulatory service delivery across the department and is part of the department’s broader enterprise-wide transformational action plan business improvements. The section is building capacity to enhance our people, processes and systems to develop and improve regulatory service delivery capabilities and embed program, project and change management processes into business-as-usual activities relating to the regulatory services the department delivers. The section also plays a role in supporting the development and implementation of IT systems and processes relating to regulatory services delivered that enable the department better manage information, workflows and decision making. The section is responsible for engaging with domestic stakeholders (internal and external to the department) on a range of regulatory service delivery issues such as import risk analyses, changes to import conditions, inspection times and processes, and document assessments. The team works closely with regulatory areas of the department, including technical areas that conduct import risk analyses, front line staff that undertake inspections, and policy development areas. The section also liaises with state and territory governments, peak industry bodies, growers and importers who can be affected by the regulatory services delivered by the department. The team also plans and coordinates engagement and communication activities for IRSD projects across the department. The key duties of the position include: The Job The duties will include but not limited to the following: Work with technical areas to research domestic and international regulatory service delivery issues including best practice techniques. Work with technical areas and external stakeholders to co-develop best practice guidelines to improve the regulatory services that are delivered by the department. Coordinate engagement with stakeholders on the establishment of PIWGs. Coordinate the drafting, revision and publication of material required to establish the PIWGs. Coordinate the planning, preparation and delivery of stakeholder engagement activities associated with PIWG establishment. This may include engaging with domestic industry and states and territories through workshops, video conferences and face-to-face meetings, as well as managing media enquiries and developing briefing material. Manage and lead a small team by supervising and coaching staff and managing resource allocation as required. Monitor business practices, develop communications and templates and assess, plan and implement process improvements. Undertake high level liaison, negotiation and discussion with internal and external stakeholders on complex issues relating to plant biosecurity. Represent the team at internal and external meetings, as required. Initiate, build and maintain productive internal and external working relationships. Eligibility What we are looking for Knowledge and experience Experience building and maintaining effective working relationships with a range of government and non-government stakeholders is required. Experience communicating complex information in plain English to a range of audiences is required. Experience with any of the following is desirable: Exports Control Act 2020, Biosecurity Act 2015, Illegal Logging Prohibition Act 2012 and the Imported Foods Control Act 1992. Notes On 13 March 2025 the salary range for these positions will increase to $124,861 to $134,295.

Location: Brisbane CBD, AU

Posted Date: 3/1/2025