Senior Incursion Investigator – Plant Health
Role type: Permanent full-time
Location: Auckland
Salary band & range: D - $98,955 to $132,427 depending on skills and experience

Kōrero mō te tūranga - About the Role
The Incursion Investigation function is positioned in the Diagnostics, Readiness & Surveillance directorate which is an integral component of New Zealand's multi-layered biosecurity system. This role will be based in our Tamaki office – Landcare Research Building.

As a Senior Incursion Investigator, you are the first line of defence against unwanted pests and diseases that breach the border. You will respond quickly to these breaches, gather information to validate the report and manage the immediate risk. You will underpin decisions on any further action to be taken and the transition to a biosecurity response if required. This position provides an excellent opportunity to gain experience in the management of biological risk.
You will have an aptitude to support your Manager and the Plant Health team, provide accurate information, take initiative, lead by example and be reliable.
Your key tasks in this role will be to:

• Receive and manage reports of suspect pests and diseases, ensure identification, and undertake risk assessments and prioritisation in accordance with procedures.
• Plan and conduct investigations including risk assessment, options analysis, field activities and urgent measures to contain and control in accordance with procedures.
• Conduct investigation reporting, ensuring that information is accurate and timely.
• Identify issues and make recommendations for change.
• Where further action by MPI is required, prepare response operational specifications as required. These may include Surveillance, Movement Control and Organism Management, and will be prepared in accordance with response procedures and agreed timeframes.

Investigations can be anywhere in New Zealand, and you may be required to travel at short notice. You will be rostered to do on call after hours duty as our biosecurity hotline (0800 80 99 66) is managed 8.30 am to 9.00 pm daily.

Mōu - About You
You will be a team player with excellent communication skills, motivation, initiative, and sound judgment with an ability to think outside the square. You will require the ability to work under time pressure and make informed decisions based on your investigation intelligence.
The ideal candidate will also have:

• Master of Science degree or equivalent.
• A post graduate degree is desired in either pest or disease management, ecology, entomology, epidemiology or biosecurity.
• An understanding of incursion investigations and be able to recognise biological risk.
• Experience in pest, weed or disease management, and biology or ecology in cultivated crops, forests or the environment.
• Familiarity with horticultural, agricultural, arable or forestry production systems.
• Ability to provide analytical commentary on the efficacy of the investigation system relative to other Biosecurity interventions.
• Demonstrated hard and soft skills to improve communication and ability to collaborate
• Demonstrated project management skills, and the ability to plan, implement specific operations and give clear instructions.
• Demonstrated ability to write, review and edit internal reports and articles for publication.

You do not need to meet all of the role requirements to apply. We offer a breadth of development and learning opportunities and will welcome an application if you think you could make a great fit.

Mō tō mātou Rōpū - About the Team
Reporting to the Team Manager Plant Health Incursion Investigation, you will be part of a team of 8 Investigators who are based across Auckland, Rotorua and Christchurch.
The biosecurity surveillance activities carried out underpin a wide range of decision-making and intervention measures across the biosecurity system. These include early detection of new pests and diseases, and determination of pest or disease freedom status for official assurances to trading partners.

Mō te Manatū Ahu Matua - About MPI
Our role includes seizing export opportunities for our food and fibre sector, improving sector productivity, ensuring the food we produce is safe, increasing sustainable resource use, and protecting New Zealand from biological risk.

Ngā hua o te Mahi i te Manatū Ahu Matua: - Benefits of working at MPI

• Additional MPI leave days
• Career development and internal opportunities across the branch and organisation
• Annual Wellness payment
• Reduced premiums for Group Healthcare Schemes

Kua rite koe mō tēnei mahi whaitake? - Are you ready to make a difference?
We are committed to being a good partner under Te Tiriti o Waitangi which includes working closely with iwi, hapū, whānau and hāpori.
We aspire to reflect the diverse communities we serve, so we welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, and identities. As an organisation, we are committed to making Manatū Ahu Matua Ministry for Primary Industries a great place to work for all.
In your cover letter we'd like to know about you, your values; your interest and motivations for this role; the abilities, strengths, personal attributes and diverse perspectives you will bring to the role and this organisation, which may have also been gained outside of the workforce.
To view the position description and/or apply online, please click “APPLY FOR THIS JOB” or visit the MPI Careers Site. To apply, you must hold the right to work in New Zealand or be eligible to obtain it – click here to find out more about work visa eligibility and options.

Applications close at midnight on 14 November
If you have any questions about the role, please email Sophie.Hallett@mpi.govt.nz

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