Vacancy No: 2016-12409
Adelaide and Port Augusta
Full Time up to 60 months
$87,833 – 93,158 per annum, PO3 

Primary Industries and Regions SA, as a key economic development agency of the South Australian Government, works across a diverse range of industry sectors including agriculture, livestock, forestry, fishing and aquaculture and regional development. We involve and engage with others to ensure we make good decisions, have clear policies, plan and implement effective programs, drive relevant projects, promote efficient resource use and broker shared responsibility. In this way we enable the State’s primary industry sectors and regions to remain competitive, productive and sustainable.

An exciting opportunity exists for a person with a process management background to be at the forefront of a new technology in Australia.  A National Sterile Insect Technology (SIT) factory is being built in Port Augusta, South Australia. This state-of-the-art facility will produce at least 50 million sterile male-only Queensland fruit fly per week when at full production for release across all horticulture affected regions of Australia.

SIT is a scientifically proven method for managing the impacts of fruit fly in horticulture production areas.  The factory will supply male-only sterile flies to flood natural pest populations, disrupt mating of those populations and hence crash the wild population. The factory, which is expected to have in the order of 10 staff, includes fully automated climate control systems and computerised monitoring and alert systems.  As a biological system, monitoring and management of all environmental variables is a critical part of factory operation and response to events may be required at any time of the day or night.

Development of the factory and its operations is supported by SIT ^plus, a research collaboration between six parties with interconnected interests in the development and uptake of science solutions for management of Queensland fruit fly, namely the:

• Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO);
• Primary Industries and Regions South Australia  (PIRSA), including the South Australia Research and Development Institute (SARDI)
• Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (HIA Ltd);
• Macquarie University (MU);
• Plant and Food Research Australia Pty Ltd (PFRA);
• Department of Primary Industry New South Wales (DPINSW); and
• Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources Victoria

A motivated, outcome focused person with experience in animal production systems, food technology or science laboratories, who is prepared to be trained overseas to lead the management of this national facility is required. The successful candidate is expected to have a demonstrable background in process management and leading a technical staff team. The successful candidate will be sent to overseas factories on commencement to learn fruit fly production best practice processes. 

The National Sterile Insect (SIT) Facility Manager is a key position required to commission the new facility, oversee staff recruitment and training, develop production and quality systems and interact with the SIT^plus research partners to translate research into sterile insect production and commercialisation.

ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS

A Degree in engineering, process engineering, food technology, science or related discipline is required.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

During the first two months, the incumbent will be located in Adelaide and will travel regularly to Port Augusta. At the conclusion of the training period the incumbent will be based at Port Augusta due to the 24/7 nature of the fruit fly production systems. Significant travel to Adelaide, interstate and overseas will be required. Out of hours work and possession of a current driver's licence and a willingness to drive is required. Use of a vehicle and subsided housing in Port Augusta will be offered.

ENQUIRIES AND APPLICATIONS TO

Enquiries

Will Zacharin, Executive Director Biosecurity SA
Telephone: 8207 7943
Email: Will.Zacharin@sa.gov.au

Applications

Leonie Down
33 Flemington Street, GLENSIDE SA 5065
Email: Leonie.Down@sa.gov.au

Existing applicants need to re-apply. If you are interested in this opportunity, please forward a Covering Letter (no more than 3 pages) outlining your skills and experience in relation to the Capabilities Profile, particularly the Professional and Technical Knowledge, Achievement, Quality and Results and People Management capabilities of the role and a current CV. Applicants are to include the contact information of 3 current referees and a completed Pre Employment Declaration in the SA Public Sector form.

For information on how to apply and a copy of the Role Description visit www.pir.sa.gov.au/pirsa/careers

APPLICATIONS CLOSE 15 July 2016