Agricultural Project Officer

Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc; Bairnsdale; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc in Bairnsdale, VIC is seeking an Agricultural Project Officer to support planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of applied agricultural research and extension projects at the Gippsland Research Farm and collaborating sites.

You will work with the Research Farm Manager to connect research design with field delivery, data collection and communicating findings to farmers and industry, including field days and farm walks.

Qualifications

• Qualification in agriculture, agricultural science, agronomy, environmental science or related discipline.
• Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate tasks or projects and meet deadlines.
• Strong attention to detail and data integrity.
• Good written and verbal communication skills to explain technical information.
• Ability to build constructive working relationships within a small team.
• Confidence working outdoors and travelling to farms or trial sites.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver assigned research projects and trial activities to agreed plans, budgets, timelines and protocols
• Help plan, establish, monitor and assess field trials and demonstrations across relevant soil, crop, pasture and livestock projects
• Collect, check, organise and analyse field data, samples, measurements and project records
• Work with the Research Farm Manager to coordinate trial operations, machinery, inputs, contractors and site access
• Prepare project updates, technical summaries, reports and farmer-friendly communications
• Help organise and deliver field days, workshops, farm walks and other extension activities
• Build positive relationships with farmers, researchers, agronomists, funders and partner organisations
• Monitor project milestones, expenditure, risks and issues, escalating concerns early and helping keep deliverables on track
• Follow organisational health and safety procedures, complete required inductions and training, and use appropriate PPE
• Identify hazards and report incidents, near misses, environmental concerns and non-compliance promptly

Skills

Project planning

Data collection & analysis

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Outdoor work

Attention to detail

Education

Agriculture/Agri-science or related degree

Tools

Spreadsheets

Data entry software

Job description

Gippsland Agricultural Group Inc – Bairnsdale VIC

The Agricultural Project Officer supports the planning, delivery, monitoring and reporting of applied agricultural research and extension projects at the Gippsland Research Farm and, where required, on collaborating farms and other project sites. The role helps ensure project activities are completed safely, accurately and on time, with reliable records and outputs that meet agreed project objectives and funding requirements. Working closely with the Research Farm Manager and project leads, the officer connects research design and project commitments with practical field delivery, data collection and communication of findings to farmers and industry.

Key responsibilities

• Coordinate and deliver assigned research projects and trial activities to agreed plans, budgets, timelines and protocols
• Help plan, establish, monitor and assess field trials and demonstrations across relevant soil, crop, pasture and livestock projects
• Collect, check, organise and analyse field data, samples, measurements and project records
• Work with the Research Farm Manager to coordinate trial operations, machinery, inputs, contractors and site access
• Prepare project updates, technical summaries, reports and farmer-friendly communications
• Help organise and deliver field days, workshops, farm walks and other extension activities
• Build positive relationships with farmers, researchers, agronomists, funders and partner organisations
• Monitor project milestones, expenditure, risks and issues, escalating concerns early and helping keep deliverables on track
• Follow organisational health and safety procedures, complete required inductions and training, and use appropriate PPE
• Identify hazards and report incidents, near misses, environmental concerns and non-compliance promptly

About you

• Qualification in agriculture, agricultural science, agronomy, environmental science, animal science or a related discipline or equivalent relevant experience
• Demonstrated ability to plan and coordinate tasks or projects, manage competing priorities and meet deadlines
• Strong attention to detail and the ability to collect, check and maintain accurate data and records
• Good written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain technical information clearly to different audiences
• Ability to build constructive working relationships and contribute positively within a small, collaborative team
• Confidence working outdoors and travelling to farms or trial sites, sometimes in variable weather and seasonal conditions
• Sound computer skills, including spreadsheets, document preparation and digital data entry
• A varied role contributing to practical research with direct relevance to Gippsland farming businesses
• Opportunities to work across soil, pasture, crop and livestock projects and the full research-to-extension cycle
• Collaboration with farmers, researchers and industry partners through a farmer-driven regional organisation
• Support for learning, professional development and building applied research skills
• Flexible working arrangements by agreement, balanced with fieldwork and project deadlines

About us

The Gippsland Research Farm is a dryland research and demonstration site at Bairnsdale, supporting practical, farmer-driven work across soils, pastures, fodder, crops and livestock. It hosts field days, workshops and tours, and operates within a regional structure working with farmers and research and industry partners to improve farm productivity, profitability and resilience across central and east Gippsland.