Senior Laboratory Services Officer

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources; Ryde; On-site; AUD 90,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources in North Ryde, NSW, seeks a Senior Laboratory Services Officer to lead the Laboratory Services team and provide advanced administrative and technical support across North Ryde and Port Melbourne laboratories.

Role requires a science qualification and at least five years' analytical laboratory experience, with supervision and regulatory compliance responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Diploma or degree in a science-related field and at least five years of analytical laboratory experience.
• Experience supervising, mentoring and developing staff.
• Understanding of NATA accreditation, quality management systems and lab compliance.
• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Attention to detail and ability to meet KPIs in a fast-paced environment.
• Organisational and time management skills; able to prioritise tasks.

Responsibilities

• Provide day-to-day operational leadership and support to the Laboratory Services team.
• Supervise staff, coordinate workflows, and ensure timely, quality outputs.
• Train and mentor Laboratory Services staff and maintain compliance with procedures.
• Provide complex administrative and technical support for Analytical Services.
• Coordinate reporting of results to clients, including LIMS report generation.

Skills

Staff supervision

Quality management

Stakeholder engagement

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Analytical background

Education

Diploma/Degree in science-related field

Tools

LIMS

Job description

Australian Department of Industry, Science and Resources – Ryde NSW

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the Department

The Department of Industry, Science and Resources and our broader portfolio are integral to the Australian Government’s economic agenda. Our purpose is to help the government build a better future for all Australians through enabling a productive, resilient and sustainable economy, enriched by science and technology. We do this by:

• Growing innovative & competitive businesses, industries and regions
• Investing in science and technology
• Strengthening the resources sector.

The APS and the department offer a clear direction and meaningful work. You will be able to create positive impact in people’s lives whilst contributing to improved outcomes for Australia and our people.

If you would like to feel a strong connection to your work and you are accountable, committed and open to change, join us in shaping Australia’s future.

Please see the APSC’s APS Employee Value Proposition for more information on the benefits and value of employment within the APS.

About the team

The National Measurement Institute (NMI) is the Australian Government’s national authority on measurement. We play an important role in the Australian economy by leading, maintaining and regulating Australia’s measurement system. We deliver world-class measurement products, advice and client services and administer the regulatory framework for measurement. Our national measurement standards are recognised internationally, and we work to enhance and maintain these standards.

We value the different skills, knowledge and perspectives our employees bring. We’re committed to giving everyone an equal opportunity to participate, contribute and progress. Our values and behaviours centre around being Adaptable, Innovative, Accountable, Strategic, Inclusive and Influential.

The Analytical Services Branch (ASB) consists of a team of over 100 staff based in North Ryde and Port Melbourne. We are responsible for conducting chemical and biological measurement on a wide range of samples (including water, soil, food and pharmaceuticals). Performing a diverse range of tests (including elements, nutrients, organic contaminants and microbiological parameters). We provide analytical solutions and technical expertise for a large set of private sector and government clients across the environmental, food and health sectors, enabling them to meet their business, research and regulatory compliance needs. We also work closely with the tertiary education sector in Australia and have a number of international stakeholders.

The Laboratory Services (LS) team within ASB is a team of approximately twelve staff across two sites – North Ryde and Port Melbourne. The primary responsibility of LS is providing operational, technical and administrative support to the daily activities of the Analytical Services Branch, by receiving and processing incoming samples, liaising with stakeholders and ensuring sample processing is followed correctly from receipt to disposal.

The opportunity

We are excited to offer an opportunity for an experienced and motivated professional to join our Laboratory Services team at North Ryde as a Senior Laboratory Services Officer.

Reporting to the Laboratory Services Manager, this role provides advanced administrative and technical support to Analytical Services across the North Ryde and Port Melbourne laboratories.

While primarily administrative in nature, the role requires a strong scientific background and a comprehensive understanding of laboratory operations. The position is highly collaborative, involving regular engagement with staff across both sites, and requires the skills, knowledge and capability required at the APS6 level standard.

Our ideal candidate

The candidate will ideally have:

• A Diploma/Degree in a science-related field and a minimum five years of relevant experience in an analytical laboratory.
• Demonstrated ability to supervise, mentor, coach and develop staff.
• Demonstrated understanding of NATA accreditation requirements, quality management systems and laboratory compliance standards.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• High attention to detail, with the ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment while meeting quality standards and key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Excellent organisational and time management skills, with ability to prioritise competing demands and meet deadlines.
• Demonstrated ability to work both independently and collaboratively as part of a high-performing team.
• A proactive, flexible and customer-focused approach to service delivery
• Proven ability to demonstrate NMI values through accountability, adaptability, innovation, inclusion, influence and strategic thinking, while building positive and collaborative workplace relationships.
• Demonstrated commitment to fostering a positive, collaborative and high-performing team culture while supporting continuous improvement and operational excellence.

The key duties of the position include

Key duties of the position include, but are not limited to:

• Provide day-day operational leadership and support to the Laboratory Services team.
• Assist with staff supervision and workflow co-ordination ensuring quality outputs and timely delivery of results.
• Support the training, mentoring and ongoing development of Laboratory Services staff.
• Provide complex administrative and technical support for Analytical Services operations.
• Coordinating the timely and accurate reporting of analytical results to clients, including LIMS report generation and distribution.
• Building effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders and responding to customer enquiries and service requirements.
• Contributing to operational decision-making, continuous improvement initiatives, and business process enhancements.
• Working collaboratively to achieve service standards and turnaround time targets.
• Supporting change management activities and implementing improvements to service quality and efficiency.
• Maintaining professional and technical knowledge through ongoing training and development.
• Reviewing, entering, and authorising outsourced laboratory results to ensure accuracy, quality, and compliance with established procedures.

Eligibility

To be eligible for employment in the APS and the department, candidates must be Australian Citizens.

Positions require a Baseline security clearance and successful candidates will be required to obtain and maintain a clearance at this level.

Notes

A merit pool may be established and used to fill future vacancies within 18 months from the date the vacancy was first advertised in the Gazette.

The department does currently offer flexible work opportunities for many roles. This role is primarily based on-site at NMI North Ryde, Sydney. Limited ad hoc work-from-home arrangements may be available, subject to operational requirements and manager approval. Please reach out to the contact officer to discuss this further.

Getting to know the Department of Industry, Science and Resources (DISR)

The department’s Enterprise Agreement and policies provide for a flexible working environment to assist staff balance their work and home life. Staff and managers work together to balance the operating needs of the department with the needs of the individual. Options may include full time/part time working arrangements, working from home or other arrangements.Our employees say they recommend our department as a good place to work. Our workplace is one that encourages and supports all employees to have a sense of belonging and a culture that allows them to bring their authentic selves to work every day.Our reconciliation vision supports a workforce with opportunities and career pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. The vision allows them to feel empowered and helps to ensure that the department and broader community can benefit from the knowledge and experience of Australia’s First Peoples.We encourage applications from people of all ages, abilities, nationalities and backgrounds including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, mature age, culturally and linguistically diverse people, people of the LGBTIQA+ community and people with disability.The department wants to give candidates the opportunity to demonstrate their full potential during a recruitment process. We encourage candidates who require any adjustments or support as part of the recruitment process to reach out and discuss them with the job’s contact officer. Candidates are also welcome to contact our Inclusion team at *********@industry.gov.au for a confidential discussion if you identify from any of these diverse backgrounds and would like to discuss how we can support you.