Technical Assistant

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; Shire of Baw Baw; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action (DEECA) seeks a Technical Assistant to support dairy research at the Ellinbank SmartFarm. You will help implement complex experimental work, collect and process samples, and manage field operations across pasture and livestock measurements, including methane monitoring.

The role requires experience in animal husbandry, good data entry skills, and the ability to work weekends and public holidays.

Qualifications

• For consideration, a middle level TAFE certificate or Associate Diploma of Applied Science or equivalent qualification or substantial dairy farming experience is desirable.
• Experience or capacity to develop skills in pasture measurement techniques such as pasture assessment, feed sampling, biomass estimation or related field methods.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical support for dairy research projects at Ellinbank SmartFarm, including methane mitigation and pasture management.
• Assist with implementation of specialised experimental work, data collection, sample processing and analysis according to prescribed criteria.
• Supervise and train casual staff in research and dairy farm activities, field work and sample preparation.
• Maintain equipment and supplies, and support other work groups as needed, including weekends and public holidays.

Skills

Pasture measurement

Biomass estimation

Feed sampling

Animal husbandry

Dairy farm experience

Education

TAFE certificate

Associate Diploma of Applied Science

Job description

This position will provide technical support for dairy related research projects within the Dairy Feedbase and Methane Mitigation program, and other research programs and farm-related activities at the Ellinbank SmartFarm. This includes projects that focus on improving the profitability of pasture-based dairy systems, managing climate variability and reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems. The Technical Assistant is primarily required to assist with the implementation of specialised experimental work, including a suite of large-livestock and pasture measurements, the use of on-cow sensors, animal husbandry and management, supplement feeding, methane measurements, preparing specific pasture allocations and diets for experimental herds, implementing complex sampling protocols and data collection, and sample processing and preparation for analysis according to specific criteria. The appointee will be confident handling livestock. The appointee will be required to use and test innovative technologies that have applicability for the agricultural sector. They will be expected to manage and maintain equipment, supplies and other resources, and will also be required to supervise and train casual staff in aspects associated with research and innovation activities, dairy farm activities, field work and sample preparation. This position includes weekend and public holiday work, and includes early and/or late starts. The applicant will need to be flexible and willing to assist other work groups located at the Ellinbank SmartFarm and at other locations where research and innovation activities are undertaken. To be successful in this role, the appointee will be a proactive and reliable team member with strong communication skills and a willingness to contribute across a range of animal, pasture and farm-based research activities. The role requires good attention to detail, accurate data entry, and the ability to work collaboratively with scientists, technical staff, farm staff and casual employees.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• A middle level TAFE certificate or Associate Diploma of Applied Science or equivalent qualification or experience, OR at least three years relevant experience in dairy farming or other livestock industries would be highly desirable.
• Demonstrated practical experience, or capacity to develop skills, in pasture measurement activities such as pasture assessment, feed sampling, biomass estimation, pasture allocation or related field-based techniques.

This is a fixed term position available until 30 June 2028. The work location for this position is Ellinbank, Victoria.

Applications close 11.59pm on Sunday, 1 November 2026.

Preferred candidates will be required to undertake pre‑employment screening, including a Declaration and Consent form and a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check.

To be eligible for appointment to this role, applicants will possess corresponding work rights for the advertised employment period. Appointment to an ongoing position is only available to an Australian/New Zealand citizen or an Australian Permanent Resident.

An inclusive, culturally safe and flexible workplace DEECA fosters an inclusive workplace culture and is committed to a fair, accessible, and equitable recruitment process. We strongly encourage Aboriginal and or Torres Strait Islander people to apply. We recognise the strengths, knowledge and perspectives First Nations people bring and DEECA is committed to a culturally safe and respectful workplace.

If you need support to participate, please contact [emailprotected].

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part‑time work and job sharing.