POSITION DESCRIPTION
SECTION A: GENERAL INFORMATION
Position title: Team Leader Central Northern
Group: Biosecurity SA
Branch: Animal Health
Section:
Position number: PR4013
Occupant:
Classification code: PO3
Type of appointment:
 Ongoing
Temporary
Contract 1–5 years
File reference:
Position Description Approval
All excluding senior positions
Senior positions
Delegate ________________________
Commissioner for Public
Employment
_______________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS
To be considered for this position it is essential that you have the following:
Degree in Agricultural Science or equivalent
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CONTEXT OF THE POSITION (why the position exists; broad purpose; group goal or objective that
the position addresses; new or continuing position, role and function, etc.)
The PIRSA Biosecurity Division works in partnership with primary industries, stakeholders and other
national and state government departments toward “profitable, continuing returns for South Australia
from international markets.” The Agriculture, Food and Fisheries Division develops and implements
policies, legislation, regulatory frameworks and programs to promote an optimal business, natural
and social environment within which primary industries can thrive.
The Animal Health Program is a cornerstone of PIRSA's resource protection function. A high and
increasing level of exposure to global and national animal health and welfare issues affecting market
access is resulting in pressure for higher performance, increased accountability (technical and legal)
and demonstration of surveillance and response capability.
Global trade access for livestock and livestock products increasingly requires demonstrated minimum
standards of animal health and welfare. The PIRSA Biosecurity - Animal Health Group is responsible
for provision of disease control, surveillance and response services in association with livestock
industries of SA.
Form 3.02: Position Description
2
This ongoing position supports the delivery of
Animal Health programs by PIRSA on behalf of
the livestock industries of SA. In the Barossa area this includes responsibility for managing and
undertaking disease surveillance, disease compliance and animal welfare activities at the SA
Livestock Exchange, Dublin.
The responsibilities of this position cover the full range of disease control, disease surveillance and
emergency animal disease response activities and include a heavy component of extension of
biosecurity issues.
The incumbent will provide supervision to Animal Health staff located in the Adelaide Hills,
Murraylands, mid-North, Pastoral districts and the Eyre Peninsula, and also provide technical
leadership for staff allocated to projects managed by the incumbent.
To achieve in the position a high level of independent work and initiative is required to ensure
effective outcomes in disease control, disease surveillance, emergency disease response, residues
and maintenance of animal welfare standards.
REPORTING/WORKING RELATIONSHIPS (To whom the position reports; staff for whom the
position is responsible; and internal and external working relationships)
The incumbent reports to the Manager Animal Health and functions as part of a statewide service
delivery team. Responsible for Animal Health staff located in the Adelaide Hills, Murraylands, midNorth, Pastoral districts and the Eyre Peninsula. They are also responsible for specific project
outcomes through providing technical oversight of staff. This will involve the development of close
working relationships with the Manager Disease Control, Manager Disease Surveillance, Animal
Health Program Managers and Manager Compliance.
SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS
The position will be located at Nuriootpa, South Australia. Relocation to any other place in SA may
be required.
Some out of hours work, intrastate and interstate travel will be required.
The appointee will be gazetted as an Inspector of Stock under the Livestock Act 1997.
A current car drivers licence is essential.
The incumbent will be required to maintain a safe working environment by adopting appropriate
hazard management practices consistent with the role.
The incumbent will be expected to uphold the Code of Ethics contained in the Public Sector Act 2009.
Form 3.02: Position Description
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SECTION
B:
RESULTS
TO
BE ACHIEVED
RESULT AREA
Team Leadership
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Supervision of staff working on animal health projects including performance issues.
Identify training requirements for staff.
Assist with the program budget preparation and continued monitoring.
Coordinate staffing resources across region.
Effective control of livestock disease and residues.
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Investigate and report on incidents of animal disease and chemical residues scheduled under
the Livestock Act. Formulate and implement individual property control and eradication
programs. Impose Order or restrictions as necessary.
Provide inspection and health certification of livestock as required prior to intrastate, interstate
or international movement.
Value and arrange efficient and humane disposal of livestock and products condemned under
the Livestock Act.
Instigate prosecution if necessary for offences committed under various Acts.
Participate in on-going regulatory disease control activities in the district under general
guidance of project managers.
Effective surveillance of livestock diseases, endemic and emerging
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Conduct market inspections at specified sites and provide follow up actions and reports as
appropriate.
Conduct periodic surveillance of properties to monitor stock health including the collection of
samples and specimens from animals for State and National disease and residue surveys.
Participate in animal health research and investigations as appropriate.
Participation in emergency animal disease response

Participate in foreign animal disease and disaster management (including bushfire relief),
training and preparedness.
Application of livestock health and management technology..
 Facilitate by working with industry groups, participating in field days.
 Communication through the mass media (local paper, newsletters etc)
 Preparation of reports and publications. .
Animal Welfare.
 Assist the maintenance of the welfare of livestock by providing advice to the RSPCA,
producers and agribusiness on livestock health and husbandry.
 Investigate and report on incidents under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
Form 3.02: Position Description
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SECTION C: CAPABILITIES PROFILE
(The skills, knowledge and personal attributes that underpin successful job performance)
This position requires a person with the following capabilities:
Professional & Technical Knowledge
Demonstrates sound knowledge across all key areas of professional/technical competence relevant
to the role including the ability to understand and recognise diseases of interest to the State, with indepth knowledge in the planning and management of animal disease control programs: applies a
sound understanding of knowledge in the recognition and control strategies for ovine footrot and
other diseases of interest and in the management of projects.
Behaviours
 Understands the general issues facing the livestock industries.
 Knows of industry changes, significant developments and affiliations within the industry, and
builds industry contacts.
 Provide advice on technical matters which enables people to find solutions to their problems.
 Explain technical information accurately and clearly to non-technical people.
People Management:
Sets workplans; supports and encourages individuals in achieving work outcomes; monitors
performance, provides feedback and encourages capability development.
Behaviours
 Supports staff to manage their working relationships with stakeholder, project partners and
customers.
 Supports staff to effectively manage issues arising in their work.
 Provides specific performance feedback, both positive and corrective, as soon as possible
after an event.
 Ensures individual employees clearly understand their roles and responsibilities, and are well
supported to meet these.
Performance management and development
For team members, establishes mutual objectives and targets; develops and maintains system for
team performance measurement and feedback.
Behaviours
 Provides support and develops confidence.
 Has regular performance development discussions’ with staff.
 Provides constructive feedback and advice in a positive, non-threatening manner.
Leading others/motivating
Communicates a sense of direction; guides others to meet those agendas; leads from the front in
areas of responsibility; encourages others to work together towards common goals.
Behaviours
 Adapts leadership style to suit different situations.
 Express appreciation and support for others within the team.
 Actively participates and contributes to shared leadership in branch/work area.
 Encourages a sense of direction and purpose for the team.
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Relationship Building/Maintaining
Develops productive working relationships with peers, staff and stakeholders by initiating contact,
building rapport, understanding needs and delivering to expectations; able to relate to and
communicate with people from diverse ‘cultures’ locations and ages.
Behaviours
 Speaks confidently to others, expressing own ideas and opinions in a easily understandable
way.
 Is friendly, accessible and approachable by staff and customers.
 Shows tact and diplomacy in dealing with people.
 Listens effectively to others by concentrating on what they are saying.
Organisational Knowledge
Demonstrates in-depth knowledge of structure, operation and key personnel for the organisation;
maintains awareness of other relevant external parties eg community, industry, government;
understands impact of other parties’ operation on own area of accountability.
Behaviours
 Demonstrates understanding and appreciation of broad organisation structure in making
decisions.
 Reads situations well, and adapts approaches and processes to ensure success.
 Seeks out and builds relationships with those who can provide information, insight, or support.
 Includes awareness and sensitivity to diverse views in organisation in dealings with people
and groups.
Planning and Organising
Develops and manages efficient work plans for complex projects/activities involving a number of
elements/groups.
Behaviours:
 Sets priorities effectively, allocating and managing time and resources accordingly.
 Identifies capabilities and resources needed to get the job done.
 Gets buy-in (ownership) from staff by involving them in planning and decision making.
 Recognises own limitations and expectations regarding knowledge and workload.
 Demonstrates a flexible approach to unplanned events and interruptions whilst maintaining
focus on priorities.
Communication
Communicates effectively with a wide range of people and expresses ideas clearly and coherently,
both verbally and in writing.
Behaviours
 Communicates ideas and information in a form well matched to, and well received by staff at
all levels.
 Puts complex technical information in a form that is clearly understood and relevant to the
audience.
 Listens carefully, asks questions to clarify meaning and communicates understanding.
Form 3.02: Position Description
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CERTIFIED CORRECT
___________________________Delegate
___________________________Date
___________________________Occupant (if applicable)
Employee Conduct Standards (PSM Act 1995).
PIRSA employees are expected to:
 treat the public and other employees with respect and courtesy;
 utilise resources at their disposal in an efficient, responsible and accountable manner;
 deal with information of which they have knowledge as a result of their work only in accordance with the requirements of the
Government and their agencies;
 endeavour to give their best to meet performance standards and other organisational requirements; and
 conduct themselves in public in a manner that will not reflect adversely on the public sector, their agencies and other employees.
Form 3.02: Position Description