Technical Officer

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action; Horsham; On-site; AUD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in Horsham seeks a Technical Officer to support field crops pathology research. You will supervise technical staff, manage the pathology lab, ensure OHS, and support disease inoculations and field assessments.

In addition to handling glasshouse experiments and sample processing, you will assist scientists with data collection, storage, and analysis, and coordinate seed and soil sampling as required.

Qualifications

• Education to year 12 with passes in four subjects including English and one science subject, plus formal training or equivalent and/or relevant experience.
• Current Driver License.
• Demonstrated computer skills and an ability to collect, record and process experimental data using Microsoft Excel.
• Proven ability to culture plant pathogens in the laboratory, manage glasshouse experiments, sample soil, plants and insects from field experiments in an efficient and reliable manner.

Responsibilities

• Supervise technical assistants and casuals for the team.
• ManagePathology laboratory and associated infrastructure and team OHS.
• Oversee glasshouse experiments and support scientists with disease inoculation and field assessments.
• Ensure seed is packed for field trials and soil/plant samples are collected when required.
• Learn plant growth stages and disease/grain assessment techniques; perform data entry and storage efficiently.

Skills

Staff management

Lab supervision

Data analysis

Driver License

Excel

Education

Year 12 with English and science subjects

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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The Technical Officer works within the Field Crops Pathology team to facilitate high quality research into the integrated disease management of field crops. The team is well regarded for the communication of the scientific results to the scientific community, growers, and their advisors. The team conducts, field glasshouse and laboratory experiments to develop integrated disease management strategies of field crops in Victoria. The position will report to the Senior Research Scientist.

The Technical Officer will be responsible for the supervision of technical assistants and casuals on behalf of the team, management of the Pathology laboratory and associated infrastructure, team OHS, management of glasshouse experiments and support the scientists to undertake disease inoculation and assessments in the field. Within the team of the technical officer and the technical assistants the position supervises and will ensure seed is packed for field trials, and soil and plant samples are taken when required. The ability to learn the plant growth stages and disease and grain assessment techniques is essential. Many of the duties will be repetitive and will require independent work. A high level of computer software and hardware knowledge will be required to ensure data is accurately and efficiently stored electronically.

To be successful in this role you will be highly organised, have experience in staff management, experience in field and glasshouse based pathology experiments. The successful applicant will work effectively as a member of a team, enjoy flexible working arrangements and undertake a wide variety of work across the team.

Specialist/Technical Expertise/Qualifications

• Education to year 12 with passes in four subjects including English and one science subject, plus formal training or equivalent and/or relevant experience
• Current Driver License
• Demonstrated computer skills and an ability to collect, record and process experimental data using Microsoft Excel
• Proven ability to culture plant pathogens in the laboratory, manage glasshouse experiments, sample soil, plants and insects from field experiments in an efficient and reliable manner

This is a fixed term position available for a period of 12 months. The work location for this position is Horsham.

Please refer to the Key Selection Criteria provided in the Position Description, including the mandatory requirements.

Applications close 11.59pm on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.

All applications must be submitted through the online portal. We are unable to consider email or manual applications at this time.

Other relevant information:

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 [e-mail].

We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visit applying for a role with us.