Chief Plant Protection Officer

The Company is seeking a Chief Plant Protection Officer to serve as the lead voice on plant pest and disease prevention and response. The successful candidate will be responsible for strengthening preparedness and leading the state's response to protect market access for producers. This high-profile, statutory leadership role requires the development of plant pest and disease prevention and management programs that safeguard industry productivity and market access. The role also involves holding delegated statutory powers for plant biosecurity incidents and emergencies, working closely with other directors to develop and deliver a science and research strategy, and representing the organization on state and national forums. The Chief Plant Protection Officer will be expected to build strategic partnerships with industry, balance regulatory powers with a practical, risk-based approach, and lead a team in managing active incidents and shaping national reform in biosecurity response cost-sharing. Applicants for the Chief Plant Protection Officer position should have a strong technical or agricultural background, with a preference for those with prior biosecurity experience. The role demands a skilled negotiator and collaborator, capable of finding practical, risk-based outcomes and effectively communicating complex technical issues. The ideal candidate will be a proven leader in a field related to biosecurity, with significant experience in multidisciplinary collaboration, and hold tertiary qualifications in a relevant science or have substantial equivalent experience. The opportunity is particularly suited to a leader with a practical, collaborative style, who can combine technical credibility with sound judgment to influence policy and protect the state's agricultural and biosecurity sectors.