Research Officer Vertebrate Pests

• Full time, temporary contract until 30/06/2022
• Professional Officer Grade 1/4
• Armidale location

The Department of Regional NSW was formed in 2020 as a central agency for regional issues. The Department is responsible for building resilient regional economies and communities, strengthening primary industries, managing the use of regional land, overseeing the state’s mineral and mining resources and ensuring government investment in regional NSW is fair and delivers positive outcomes for local communities and businesses.

Our Department is responsible for building resilient regional economies and communities, strengthening primary industries, managing the use of regional land, overseeing the state’s mineral and mining resources and ensuring government investment in regional NSW is fair and delivers positive outcomes for local communities and businesses.

We encourage applicants from all backgrounds including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, the LGBTIQ+ community, veterans, refugees, and people with disability. We support an inclusive workplace where staff have access to opportunities and resources at all levels, enabling our team members to drive innovation, productivity and delivery of high-quality services. We provide dignified access to reasonable adjustments both during the recruitment process and in the workplace. If you require reasonable adjustment during the recruitment process, please call or text the contact for this role.

The NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) supports the development of profitable primary industries that create a more prosperous NSW and contributes to a better environment through the sustainable use of natural resources. The Vertebrate Pest Research Unit (VPRU), in NSW DPI’s Biosecurity & Food Safety Division, leads research into the impacts and management of invasive animals in the State and nationally.

The VPRU is seeking a Research Officer, Vertebrate Pests to participate in research into the ecology, impacts and management of invasive animals, including population assessments and management implications of predators and feral ungulates. The role works closely with Invasive Species Biosecurity Unit, Local Land Services, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS), universities, other State and Commonwealth agencies to ensure high quality and relevant research outcomes.

About the Role:

• Implement research that provides robust and timely answers for invasive animal problems
• Implement research and monitoring actions with the VPRU’s Northern NSW Predator Management team, including collection and management of large camera trap and animal movement data sets, collaborating across projects, and helping manage a small technical team.
• Liaise with key stakeholders and a project Advisory Group.
• Disseminate results within/to NSW DPI, its stakeholders and the wider research community as directed
• Ensuring that results are both practical and timely and packaged to facilitate appropriate responses by landholders, community groups, government and industry stakeholders and the broader community
• Under direction of the Manager, Invasive Species Research, deliver research projects in accordance with contractual and reporting arrangements.
• Maintain peer relevance by keeping up to date with scientific research and developments.
• Establish and maintain effective scientific and stakeholder networks, delivering presentations and attending seminars and other professional forums to ensure that the Department has access to relevant and up-to-date information.
• Maintain NSW DPI research profile and retain currency in research design, methods and analysis, including analysis of spatial information, and vertebrate pest management technologies and application.
• Comply with work standards according to the level of appointment in the Professional Officer Progression Criteria (1-4) scale in the Crown Employees (NSW Department of Industry) Professional Officers Award

About You: 

• Bachelor's Degree in Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental Science, Zoology, Natural Resources or a related field and with post-graduate experience in the same
• Demonstrable experience in conducting field-based research, particularly on predators and preferably using camera traps and GPS collars, and a track record of high-quality research outputs
• Current NSW Driver License and the ability and willingness to travel overnight/s and work weekends, drive 4wheel drive vehicles and undertake field work including at remote semi-arid and wilderness locations.

Click here to learn more about this great opportunity.

How to Apply:
It’s simple! Just apply via the online application process, attaching a resume and cover letter which outlines how your skills and experience matches what we are looking for and we will get back to you after the closing date.

Closing Date: Friday, 23rd April 2021 @ 11:55pm

For further information please contact Paul Meek via Paul.Meek@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Additional Information:
A talent pool may be created from this recruitment action for ongoing and temporary roles of the same standard that may become available for filling over the next eighteen months.