Do you have exceptional leadership, change management and engagement skills to drive positive culture and work collaboratively with a range of internal and external stakeholders?
The Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action is seeking a leader with high-level experience in operational regulatory program delivery, managing in a complex environment and building and maintaining operational capability.
About the role
Reporting to the Executive Director, Biosecurity Victoria and forming part of the Biosecurity Victoria senior leadership team, the Director, Plants, Chemicals and Invasives provides strategic leadership and operational oversight of plant health, chemical use and invasive pest management programs and services that protect Victoria's agriculture sector and support market access.
This role is responsible for the planning and coordination of effective, efficient and integrated state-wide delivery of plant, chemical, apiary and invasive species services. The Director also leads the branch's preparedness for biosecurity emergencies, ensuring resources, Standard Operating Procedures, systems and operational capabilities are maintained in a state of readiness to respond to plant pest and disease incursions and other agricultural emergencies.
A critical component of this role is providing leadership during biosecurity emergency responses. The Director is responsible for ensuring branch staff are equipped, trained and prepared to undertake emergency response and recovery operations and will play a key leadership role during emergency events. The position is a designated DEECA Class 2 State Controller role and the successful applicant will be required to participate in the DEECA Class 2 Controller roster and be deployed to emergency responses as required, or be willing to work towards this accreditation.
About you:
To be successful in the role, you will have:
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An appropriate tertiary qualification in Science, Natural Resource Management, or an equivalent science qualification.
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Demonstrated experience leading complex operational or regulatory programs within a large and diverse environment.
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Extensive knowledge of plant industries, invasive species management, biosecurity threats, pest incursions, disease outbreaks and emergency management.
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Strong leadership and change management capability, with the ability to build and maintain high-performing teams and operational readiness.
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Proven experience influencing and collaborating with government, industry and community stakeholders to achieve strategic outcomes.
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Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, including the ability to provide authoritative advice to senior executives during routine operations and emergency situations.
About the organisation
We employ approximately 6,300 staff, including around 600 seasonal staff, across more than 86 locations throughout Victoria, across energy, environment, climate action, water, agriculture, and resources portfolios.
Our challenge is to maintain Victoria's liveability, with a population expected to almost double by 2050, while responding to climate change and protecting our natural environment, infrastructure and heritage for future generations. We take a community-centred approach and involve communities and key stakeholders in decisions and policies that affect them and we collaborate across our portfolios to design and deliver services and programs.
This is a fixed term position available for a period of up to 5 years. The work location for this position is flexible within Victoria with hybrid work arrangements available.
To be considered for this position, applicants are encouraged to submit a resume and cover letter (no longer than 2 pages) summarising their skills and relevant experie nce.
For further information, please refer to the attached position description or call Charlotte Austin, Executive Director Biosecurity Victoria on 0437 248 573.
Applications close at midnight on Thursday, 30 July 2026.
Other relevant information:
Preferred candidates will be required to:
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undertake pre-employment screening, including completion of a Declaration and Consent form and a National Police Check
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have their misconduct declarations validated, irrespective of whether misconduct has been declared or not
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provide at least two appropriate referees, including their current direct line manager or where relevant (i.e. because they are not employed) most recent direct line manager in accordance with the requirements set out in executive reference checks.
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provide evidence of their right to work in Australia
For more information about the pre-screening requirements for this position, please refer to the position description.
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.
A Diverse, Inclusive 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 [email protected].
We support flexible working arrangements, including hybrid work, hybrid work, varied hours, part-time work and job sharing. For more information about our recruitment processes, visitapplying for a role with us.
For further information including the position description, key selection criteria and to apply visit www.careers.vic.gov.au
