Team Leader

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Brisbane QLD We deliver biosecurity and imported food regulatory activities to ensure goods, conveyances, travellers and mail meet Australia's import requirements. We are responsible for operational policy and front‑line regulatory control settings to manage biosecurity and imported food risk, through the delivery of screening, assessment and inspection activities, and stakeholder engagement and client contact services. The Biosecurity Operations Branch works collaboratively with enabling, policy and operational areas of the department to contribute to the delivery of nationally‑integrated, efficient and effective risk‑based regulatory practices. This work includes a focus on change management, workforce capability, operational ICT system development and support, sustainable financial management, data analytics, innovation, assurance and accountability. The Cargo Operations West and Maritime Branch conducts regulatory assessments and inspections of goods across the biosecurity continuum in WA, SA, and NT. Nationally, the branch manages regulatory import clearance functions for international vessels and defence activities, ensuring compliance with biosecurity, imported food, and human health requirements. Additionally, the branch supports the Biosecurity Operations Division through technical training, workplace coaching, regulatory capability and workforce management to strengthen operational effectiveness and manage biosecurity risks. The Maritime Operations delivers regulatory assessment and inspection of arriving international vessels to ensure compliance with Australia’s biosecurity requirements. This pathway works with policy teams within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements. Position is available in Darwin only. The Military Operations is responsible for conducting inspections and assessments related to the movement of military cargo, conveyances and personnel across both onshore and offshore environments. A significant portion of this work is carried out under the framework of Combined Military Activities, which often leads to increased operational demands at specific ports. The team is agile and responsive, with staff expected to deploy to locations beyond their home port as needed to support surges in activity. Military Operations work typically occurs during core business hours, from 06:30 to 18:30, with overtime available outside these hours when required. Staff receive additional wage allowances for working in outdoor and wharf environments. Roles within Military Operations involve a combination of office‑based and field‑based duties, requiring flexibility and adaptability from team members. The Cargo Operations Inspections are responsible for the inspection of imported food, goods, vessels, aircraft, animals and animal genetic material and the assessment of documentation to confirm compliance with Australia’s biosecurity and export market requirements. The team is also responsible for managing goods that do not comply with import/export requirements and capturing information to support evidence‑based decisions. Position is available in Darwin only. The key duties of the position include: Leading the day‑to‑day operations of a geographically dispersed team working in a regulatory environment, including managing workloads, quality assurance activities and actively fostering employee engagement and development. Leading and managing the performance of staff. Building a well‑developed and up‑to‑date knowledge of legislation, regulations and compliance frameworks. Making decisions based on sound judgement in line with the application of legislation and regulations. Effectively communicating with, and responding to, internal and external stakeholders including government agencies and industry partners. Providing timely and accurate advice on complex matters to employees and stakeholders/clients. Prioritising tasks, adapting to changing priorities and making effective use of resources to ensure service delivery standards are met. Supporting change management including staff and stakeholder participation, consultation and cultural change. Managing, modelling and monitoring compliance with appropriate standards of behaviour in line with departmental expectations and including the APS Code of Conduct and Values. Promoting and complying with departmental WHS and Rehabilitation policies and guidelines and being alert for and reporting risks to local management and WHS. Providing on‑the‑job coaching and assisting and supporting other employees on biosecurity issues. Demonstrating innovative leadership while providing support to and managing staff in a regulatory environment. Please note: Responding to issues that arise outside of normal working hours and the ability to participate in an on‑call roster and overtime may be required. Please note: This recruitment process will initially be used to fill five vacancies in the section and that the roles may be able to be performed from the locations listed above (Maritime operations & Cargo operations inspections positions are located in Darwin only). 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 be used to fill future ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature. Eligibility What we are looking for Knowledge and experience Experience in leading, managing, mentoring and supporting staff in an operational environment. Experience in implementing change and managing ambiguity in the workplace. High level writing skills with demonstrated experience delivering a range of written products. Demonstrated computer literacy and experience interrogating electronic databases. Knowledge of the principles of administrative law and the objectives of regulatory practice. An understanding of the application and authority to exercise regulatory powers. #J-18808-Ljbffr