Principal Planning Officer

As a key member of the Strategic Planning team within Australia’s largest biosecurity initiative, your contributions help build the foundation for a successful and sustainable eradication program. The work you do directly enables the people driving the frontline effort to eradicate fire ants from Australia.

This position is an exciting opportunity to lead the Strategic Planning capability of the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP).

Just imagine what you could achieve with us. #passionandpurpose

Responsibilities

As our Principal Planning Officer, you will play a key role in strategy and annual planning rhythm across the program. Key responsibilities include:

• Lead a multidisciplinary team focused on developing and delivering strategic documents and guidance to support the National Fire Ant Eradication Program (NFAEP) in eradicating the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) from Australia.
• Optimise and integrate the annual planning cycle to ensure that each business stream receives timely, strategic guidance aligned with NFAEP objectives.
• Lead the facilitation of business stream planning by identifying process gaps and supporting the development of strategies that align with the overarching NFAEP strategy.
• Supervise a specialist team, ensuring adherence to departmental policies, including staff performance management, training, and administrative functions such as timesheets and leave applications.
• Monitor program progress, assessing existing and emerging risks, and recommend realignment of efforts, resources, and planning to achieve program deliverables.
• Contribute to management reports with high-quality, reliable information, and sound recommendations.
• Research and assess adaptive eradication strategies for new infestations, supporting the team in conducting risk analyses and informed planning.
• Lead and contribute to the development of the next NFAEP Response Plan.

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/688464/26

Closing Date: Friday, 22 May 2026

Occupational group Administration