Senior Project Officer

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry; Canberra; On-site; AUD 100,000 - 112,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

VetPaths

Job summary

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry in Canberra, ACT is seeking a scientist to support the Residue Chemistry Laboratory Performance Evaluation (RC-LPE) in the National Residue Survey. The role focuses on residue testing, proficiency evaluations, and QA compliance within the Export & Veterinary Services Division.

Ideal candidates have analytical chemistry experience, familiarity with NATA accreditation, and strong report writing skills; Power BI is used for data analysis

Qualifications

• Experience in analytical or residue chemistry.
• Experience with laboratories testing for pesticides, veterinary medicines, or contaminants.
• Experience with ISO accreditation and laboratory quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Conduct technical and chemical assessments of residue results for NRS programs.
• Update and analyse residue results and trends using IMS and Power BI.
• Consult with contract laboratories and participate in audits.
• Assist in and manage proficiency testing programs and PT reports.
• Prepare PT samples and analytical standards; maintain calibration records.

Skills

Analytical chemistry

NATA accreditation

Science reporting

Databases and data interpretation

Education

Degree in chemistry

Tools

Power BI

NRS IMS

Job description

Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry – Canberra ACT

16d ago , from Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry

• Exports & Veterinary Services Division

Step into a high-impact role within the National Residue Survey's Residue Chemistry Laboratory Performance Evaluation (RC-LPE) Section. You will safeguard Australia’s agricultural reputation by driving laboratory performance evaluations and proficiency testing, which directly underpins the safety, compliance, and global trust essential to Australia's food export and domestic markets.

Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Exports & Veterinary Services Division and the departments’ goal.

We make sure Australian exports meet international standards through inspections, audits and certifications. Our work helps expand trade by negotiating technical access for food and other products. We also manage quotas under trade agreements and represent Australia in setting global food standards.

We oversee the export regulation of dairy, fish, eggs, organic goods and other specialty products. Working closely with industry, governments and international partners, we ensure Australia’s exports meet high standards. We also manage the National Residue Survey and drive reforms to keep our export systems strong, trusted and future-ready.

This is where you play an important role.

This position is in the Residue Chemistry - Laboratory Performance Evaluation (RC-LPE) Section of the National Residue Survey (NRS). The NRS manages chemical residue and environmental contaminant risks across Australian animal and plant products by facilitating routine residue testing and proficiency testing, RC-LPE provides regular, objective assessments of contract laboratory competency through performance evaluations and proficiency testing, directly supporting the core safety, compliance, and quality assurance objectives of Australia's agricultural residue testing programs.

The duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in conducting technical and chemical assessments of residue results for NRS Animal and Plant programs and provide advice on residue testing matters.
• Manage, updating, and analysing residue results, result trends and laboratory method data, within the RCLPE space, the NRS Information Management System (IMS), and associated Power BI models.
• Consult with NRS contract laboratories on day-to-day residue chemistry and laboratory performance matters, including participation in relevant meetings.
• Participate in audits of contract laboratories.
• Assist in the monitoring, evaluation and procurement of contract laboratories.
• Assist in and manage laboratory proficiency testing (PT) programs, including the planning, assessment of results, and preparation of PT reports.
• Prepare PT test samples and analytical standard solutions. Management of laboratory equipment calibration and records, such as analytical balances, pipettes, glassware, temperature loggers, etc
• Liaise with laboratories regarding proficiency testing and NRS monitoring program results.
• Provide technical input into preparation reports and other publications including contract laboratory guidelines and the PT Handbook.
• Assist the RCLPE team in maintaining NATA accreditation as a PT provider.
• Provide technical support to the Director and Assistant directors of the RC-LPE team.

Please note that 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 vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

Who we are looking for

Knowledge and experienceOur ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in analytical chemistry or residue chemistry, preferably with recent experience in chemical laboratories that test for residues of pesticides, veterinary medicines and/or environmental contaminants in food or agricultural commodities.
• Experience working in a NATA (or international equivalent) accredited laboratory and/or a sound understanding of ISO accreditation requirements, particularly in relation to laboratory quality systems and PT providers.
• Experience with writing a range of documents including scientific reports and standard operating procedures, and with the use of databases.
• Knowledge of Australian agriculture systems and understanding of the regulation of pesticides and veterinary medicines and residue matters relating to the use of those chemicals.

• APS 6 - $99,734 - $112,044 per annum plus superannuation
• Exports & Veterinary Services Division
• Canberra, ACT

Step into a high-impact role within the National Residue Survey's Residue Chemistry Laboratory Performance Evaluation (RC-LPE) Section. You will safeguard Australia’s agricultural reputation by driving laboratory performance evaluations and proficiency testing, which directly underpins the safety, compliance, and global trust essential to Australia's food export and domestic markets.

Why YOU are important to us and what impact will you have on the Exports & Veterinary Services Division and the departments’ goal.

We make sure Australian exports meet international standards through inspections, audits and certifications. Our work helps expand trade by negotiating technical access for food and other products. We also manage quotas under trade agreements and represent Australia in setting global food standards.

We oversee the export regulation of dairy, fish, eggs, organic goods and other specialty products. Working closely with industry, governments and international partners, we ensure Australia’s exports meet high standards. We also manage the National Residue Survey and drive reforms to keep our export systems strong, trusted and future-ready.

This is where you play an important role.

This position is in the Residue Chemistry - Laboratory Performance Evaluation (RC-LPE) Section of the National Residue Survey (NRS). The NRS manages chemical residue and environmental contaminant risks across Australian animal and plant products by facilitating routine residue testing and proficiency testing, RC-LPE provides regular, objective assessments of contract laboratory competency through performance evaluations and proficiency testing, directly supporting the core safety, compliance, and quality assurance objectives of Australia's agricultural residue testing programs.

The duties will include, but are not limited to the following:

• Assist in conducting technical and chemical assessments of residue results for NRS Animal and Plant programs and provide advice on residue testing matters.
• Manage, updating, and analysing residue results, result trends and laboratory method data, within the RCLPE space, the NRS Information Management System (IMS), and associated Power BI models.
• Consult with NRS contract laboratories on day-to-day residue chemistry and laboratory performance matters, including participation in relevant meetings.
• Participate in audits of contract laboratories.
• Assist in the monitoring, evaluation and procurement of contract laboratories.
• Assist in and manage laboratory proficiency testing (PT) programs, including the planning, assessment of results, and preparation of PT reports.
• Prepare PT test samples and analytical standard solutions. Management of laboratory equipment calibration and records, such as analytical balances, pipettes, glassware, temperature loggers, etc
• Liaise with laboratories regarding proficiency testing and NRS monitoring program results.
• Provide technical input into preparation reports and other publications including contract laboratory guidelines and the PT Handbook.
• Assist the RCLPE team in maintaining NATA accreditation as a PT provider.
• Provide technical support to the Director and Assistant directors of the RC-LPE team.

Please note that 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 vacancies in the branch where the duties are of a similar nature.

Who we are looking for

Knowledge and experienceOur ideal candidate will have:

• Experience in analytical chemistry or residue chemistry, preferably with recent experience in chemical laboratories that test for residues of pesticides, veterinary medicines and/or environmental contaminants in food or agricultural commodities.
• Experience working in a NATA (or international equivalent) accredited laboratory and/or a sound understanding of ISO accreditation requirements, particularly in relation to laboratory quality systems and PT providers.
• Experience with writing a range of documents including scientific reports and standard operating procedures, and with the use of databases.
• Knowledge of Australian agriculture systems and understanding of the regulation of pesticides and veterinary medicines and residue matters relating to the use of those chemicals.

• APS 6 - $99,734 - $112,044 per annum plus superannuation
• Exports & Veterinary Services Division
• Canberra, ACT

Skills and capabilities

• Demonstrated ability to perform data analysis and trend analysis, including proficiency in using Power BI for data visualisation and reporting.
• Demonstrated ability to interpret, evaluate and troubleshoot anomalies in residue results, result trends and laboratory method performance, including identifying possible technical issues across the chemical laboratory testing process.
• Demonstrated ability to exercise judgement and initiative in the delivery of high-quality outputs within defined deadlines and under minimal supervision.
• Sound communication and inter-personal skills and the ability to supervise and mentor scientists.

Mandatory Qualifications

An appropriate degree, preferably in chemistry, from an Australian tertiary institution, or comparable overseas qualification.

Eligibility and other requirements

• hold a current Apply First Aid Certificate or have the ability to obtain this qualification
• wear appropriate protective personal equipment clothing and comply with departmental Work Health & Safety policies and procedures
• note this position involves working in a laboratory with various agricultural matrices including animal products, including touching/processing various animal products including muscle, offal, milk, urine, lamb and pork
• note due to the nature of handling various animal products, especially urine, you will be required to undergo a pre-employment medical examination which will include Q-Fever tests and that Q-Fever immunisation will be required where immunity cannot be established.

This position is located in Canberra and involves work onsite at the NRS PT laboratory and the DAFF office, with the possibility of a flexible working arrangement including working from home where operational requirements allow.

VetPaths

The Australian Public Service (APS) values the unique skills, perspectives, and experiences that veterans gain during their Australian Defence Force (ADF) employment and encourage veterans to apply. Support may be available to veterans transitioning to meaningful APS careers through participation in VetPaths, which offers veterans an opportunity to participate in a six-month program offering formal learning and development, career mentoring and activities for wellness and peer support. More information can be found here.

For additional information, please read the Job Description below.

Candidate Information Package DOCX Opens in new window

Candidate Information Package PDF Opens in new window

Job Description Opens in new window

Job Description Opens in new window