Plant Disease Epidemiologist
Specified Calling Level 3 | Permanent Full Time
- Join a diverse, dynamic and enthusiastic team in protecting WA’s plant industries and environment
- Exciting opportunity to further excel your wider plant biosecurity and analytical expertise.
- Build your network with various industry stakeholders by joining our DPIRD team.
The Opportunity.
We are seeking a Plant Disease Epidemiologist to join our diverse, dynamic and enthusiastic Plant Biosecurity team. This is an exciting opportunity to utilise your, plant pathology, entomology or epidemiology expertise, and analytical skills to support a wide range of activities including surveillance, monitoring, risk analysis, and policy for plant pests of state and national significance. As a subject matter expert, you will be required to provide scientific expertise, advice, and research to protect WA’s environment from the establishment of harmful plant pests and diseases.
If you are passionate about protecting WA’s plant industries and environment and looking for the next step in your career, this may be the challenging and rewarding job for you!
For further key responsibilities please see attached JDF.
The Ideal Candidate.
The ideal candidate will have a passion for applying analytical techniques to understand biological systems; experience in using analytics, biostatistics and/or modelling to support biosecurity risk management is desirable. The successful applicant will also demonstrate the ability to think strategically through providing innovative problem-solving solutions, and an ability to communicate complex scientific information to various stakeholders. Experience in plant disease epidemiology, plant pathology, entomology, or plant biosecurity is also highly desirable.
For all essential criteria, please see the attached JDF.
Get ready to apply. It’s simple.
Applying is simple and straightforward. We are committed to developing our people and this presents a unique opportunity to be part of a project that will shape the future of DPIRD working with executive and leadership teams.
Click the Apply for Job button below and submit the following documentation:
- A resume of no more than four (4) pages including details of two (2) referees
- A cover letter of no more than three (3) pages in length demonstrating how your skills, knowledge and experience relate to the advert with the following Essential Work Related Requirements:
WRR1: Demonstrated knowledge and experience in plant epidemiology, pathology and or entomology; including experience in analytics, biostatistics and modelling to support biosecurity risk management
WRR3: Build effective relationships: Strong verbal, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to confidently liaise, collaborate with and communicate scientific information to departmental staff, industry and the community.
WRR6. Deliver in a changing environment: Strong project, time management and organisational skills including the ability to effectively contribute to the management of change and the ability to develop and apply complex plant disease epidemiology techniques to enable the generation of specialist input into plant health and laboratory practice.
Applications will be assessed against these work related requirements of the position. The values and business needs of our Department may also be considered. It is therefore recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information before applying for the vacancy.
Our Commitment to Diversity.
DPIRD is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and is an equal opportunity employer. We value and strongly encourage people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people, women and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply for positions within our agency.
Application Information.
For any specific enquiries please contact:
Nichole Hammond, Technical Area Manager Pest Risk and Analytics on 08 9368 3967 (during business hours).
To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term or a casual appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period of the contract and this is required as part of your application.
Subject to appointment, successful applicants will be required to:
- provide evidence of eligibility to work in Australia for the term of the vacancy before commencing employment;
- obtain and provide a current National Police Certificate (police clearance) before commencing employment;
- Complete the Department’s induction program within three months of commencement.
- A degree in agricultural science, or approved equivalent with undergraduate training in plant disease epidemiology
This process may be used to fill other similar vacancies throughout the department. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position, the panel may select another suitable applicant from this selection process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from approval of the initial recruitment decision.
Please note, any successful candidate, including current employees of the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, will be offered employment subject to the award and agreement conditions that apply to the advertised role as outlined in the attached JDF/s. By accepting an offer of appointment, the successful applicant accepts the conditions and entitlements under the specified award and agreement.
The recruitment process may include online written assessments, psychometric, cognitive or other testing, job related tasks, video or live stream interviews, documentation and reference checks or other assessment methodologies as required. Applicants will be advised of this where necessary.
Please ensure you have plenty of time to submit your application to allow for unanticipated problems, as late and preform applications will not be accepted. (Please note: Online lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted)
CLOSING DATE: Wednesday 23 June 2021 at 4:00 PM WST
