• Lead and deliver frontline biosecurity services
• Influence strategy and policy at a local and national level
• Flexible on location – Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Melbourne or Attwood

As an agency within the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA), Agriculture Victoria works with industry and community stakeholders to support the agriculture, food and fibre sector to become more globally competitive, innovative and resilient. A key division within Agriculture Victoria, Biosecurity Victoria sits within the Biosecurity and Agriculture Services branch, and manages biosecurity for the prosperity of all Victorians, protecting against exotic pests and diseases to ensure the security of the agriculture sector and animal industries.

Reporting to the Chief Executive of Agriculture Victoria, the Executive Director, Biosecurity Victoria will play a lead role in the design and delivery of biosecurity strategy, operational policy and regulatory services, to manage biosecurity risks and minimise adverse impacts to the economy, environment and public health and safety. You will provide important advice to the Chief Executive Agriculture Victoria, Ministers, the Secretary and senior stakeholders across government and the community and represent the Victorian Government at a range of national forums. Overseeing risk-based regulation and compliance programs, you will also play a key role in designing strategy for the future, to ensure Victoria remains at the forefront of biosecurity and that Victorian communities are healthy, our farms are prosperous, and our culture and wellbeing are supported by a vibrant natural environment.

To be successful in this role, you will be a proven senior leader, adept at engaging and influencing at the Ministerial and Department level and acting as a trusted advisor to key decision-makers both internally and externally. Your prior exposure to biosecurity systems and animal health and welfare, and your breadth of strategic and operational experience will allow you to take an ‘Agriculture Victoria' view of the landscape, not just a ‘Biosecurity' view, enabling you to be a key contributor to the Executive team, contributing to shaping the culture and strategic direction of Agriculture Victoria as a whole. You will be comfortable in the legislative, regulatory and policy environment as it relates to biosecurity and emergency management, and will have a proven track-record of managing and motivating multi-disciplinary and geographically-dispersed teams. With biosecurity being a sustained priority for Government, you will take an innovative approach to achieving outcomes in a complex and dynamic operating environment.

To view the Success Profile for this opportunity, please copy and paste the following link into your browser: https://bit.ly/4fq1hKn.

Please note this role can be based at several Agriculture Victoria locations: Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Melbourne or Attwood

This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to 5 years. Please note this role can be based at several Agriculture Victoria locations: Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong, Melbourne or Attwood, with hybrid work arrangements available.

To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experience.

For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call Natasha Diamond on 0412 822 348 or Carla Bent on 0422 582 992. Please note that for this vacancy, all applications will be screened by Davidson.

Applications close at 5pm on Friday, 24 January 2025.

Other relevant information:

For this particular vacancy, priority consideration applies to Victorian Public Service (VPS) and select employees of the Victorian Public Sector.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre-employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check.  

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.  

A Diverse, Inclusive and Flexible Workplace

DEECA welcomes applicants from a diverse range of backgrounds and we focus on the essential requirements of the job and being consistent and fair in our treatment of all applicants. We also understand that a balanced life is important to our employees. Talk to us about our flexible options such as working some days from home, starting early or late, working part time, job sharing or accessing paid or unpaid leave.