• EL 1 - $120,290 - $129,379 per annum plus superannuation
• Biosecurity Operations Division
• Adelaide (SA), Canberra (ACT), Melbourne (VIC) or Sydney (NSW)

• We are seeking applicants who are energetic, resilient, capable and driven.
• Attention to detail is a must and a flexible approach to problem solving and the ability to use initiative is equally important.
• Two ongoing vacancies - may be able to be performed from multiple locations.

Who we are
The Cargo Operations Pathway within BOD delivers regulatory assessment and inspections of goods, across the biosecurity continuum (offshore, at the border and onshore) to verify compliance with Australia's biosecurity requirements. Cargo Operations works with policy and risk owners within the department to influence and inform operational policy and deliver regulatory functions in accordance with legislative requirements, national standards and within a risk-based operating model. The group has a national footprint with a presence in all capital cities and major regional ports and smaller outports.

The Executive Officers of the Cargo Operations Pathway support the Assistant Secretaries in the day-to-day operations of the Cargo Pathway branches.

The Jobs
The main duties of an Executive Officer may include, but are not limited to:

• providing high level strategic and administrative support to the Assistant Secretary by managing day-to-day correspondence and editing and preparing a range of briefings and other correspondence
• exercising discretion when accessing and disseminating confidential and sensitive information
• attending senior management meetings and taking responsibility for ensuring secretariat services are provided for various committees, key meetings and business continuity management exercises
• coordinating briefing responses and input to national requests, as required, on behalf of the branch
• preparing and managing travel arrangements including preparing, editing, and distributing itineraries and coordinating tours for internal and external visitors and delegations
• actively participating in local and national committees
• serving as liaison with departmental staff (including senior management) to ensure a manageable flow of work and effective communication
• exercising judgement in communicating with clients and staff and, where appropriate, responding and closing out issues on behalf of the Assistant Secretary
• listening, considering risks and implications and offering thoughtful and practical advice to the Assistant Secretary and Directors
• working with the Executive Assistant in electronic diary management including monitoring, responding to and disseminating electronic mail in a timely manner
• building and maintaining productive working relationships with the Executive Officer cohort across all regions and actively engaging the network, offering constructive feedback and supporting colleagues within the group
• contributing to and developing the business area’s improvement initiatives and projects
• managing competing priorities and organising workflow for self and others while maintaining good attention to detail and delivering within timeframes
• supporting change management, including staff and client participation, consultation and cultural change
• promoting the APS Values and the department’s Core 4 values and behaviours
• fostering a culture of safety, diversity, inclusiveness, positive attendance and high performance.

Please note that this recruitment process will initially be used to fill two ongoing vacancies in the branch and that the roles may be able to be performed from any of the locations listed on the job description. 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 also be used to fill future ongoing and non-ongoing vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

What we are looking for
Knowledge and experience
The successful applicants will have:

• significant experience as an Executive Officer working to a Senior Executive Service Officer within government or equivalent private sector experience
• experience in leading, managing and supporting an Executive Assistant to work collaboratively in a challenging, complex and fast paced environment
• experience leading others and supporting staff in a regionally diverse and operational environment
• a comprehensive knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products.