Technical Officer

Victorian Government; Melbourne; On-site; AUD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action in Victoria is seeking a Technical Officer to support the Field Crops Pathology team. The role focuses on supervising technical staff, managing the pathology laboratory and its infrastructure, and ensuring safe operations across the team.

You will assist scientists with disease inoculation and field assessments, learning growth stages and grain disease assessment techniques. A strong computer/Excel skill set is essential for data handling.

Qualifications

• Education to year 12 with passes in English and one science subject, plus formal training or equivalent and/or relevant experience.
• Demonstrated computer skills and the ability to collect, record and process experimental data.

Responsibilities

• Supervise technical assistants and casuals for the team.
• Manage the Pathology laboratory and related infrastructure.
• Oversee team OHS across the pathology facilities.
• Support scientists in disease inoculation and field assessments.
• Ensure seed is packed for field trials and soil/plant samples are collected as required.

Skills

Staff supervision

Computer literacy

Pathology handling

Field work

Education

Year 12 + science subject

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.

Applications close 11.59pm on Tuesday, 17 November 2026.

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 .