Technical Officer

Salary: Level 2, $76,912- $82,463 pa, Public Sector CSA Agreement 2024

Location: Katanning

Closing Date: 2026-03-05 4:00 PM (YYYY-MM-DD)

Pillar/directorate:

Animal Systems

Branch:

Livestock

Tenure:

Permanent - Full Time

Position Number:

70190300 & 70190295

Sheep. Spreadsheets. Sunshine.

If you like all three, this might be your next job.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) lead the sustainable development of Western Australia’s regions and agriculture, aquaculture, food and fisheries sectors. In everything we do, we take an approach to protect, grow and innovate WA’s economy, community and environment.

About the opportunity

There are currently two (2) permanent- full time positions available for immediate filling.

Are you an experienced farm hand looking for something a bit out of the ordinary? Or an experienced research/technical officer looking for your next career move?

If you can muster sheep, master a Prattley Autodrafter and mend a fence – but you’re looking for something more – we want you.

Katanning Research Station is looking for experienced farm hands or technical officers with two positions available for immediate commencement. This is a hands-on role for someone who thrives in a busy, complex environment and enjoys working across both livestock and cropping enterprises. You will spend your time working with a team among all aspects of the mixed farming system as well as supporting research projects.

Reporting directly to the Farm Manager, your responsibilities will include diverse sheep husbandry practices including yard work, mustering, feeding, lambing, marking, and assisting at shearing and crutching time. Beyond direct sheep work, you will be using technology to keep meticulous records as well as working with the wider farm team to support broadacre cropping activities and general farm maintenance such as fencing, and maintenance and repairs of water lines.

Katanning Research Station operates on a 2000ha property with 2000 merino and 600 crossbred ewes, as well as 300-500ha of sown crop and pasture. With the capacity to support multiple research projects across all enterprises at any given time, this is a fast paced and varied workplace which gives you a real opportunity to contribute to agricultural research and innovation.

We are looking for individuals that:

Have experience working on a mixed farm and/or research station
Are highly skilled in sheep husbandry and/or broadacre cropping
Are comfortable lending a hand across all farm enterprises
Have good computer skills for record keeping and reporting
Are practical, reliable and physically fit to work outdoors in a hands-on environment.

AgriWebb, EIDs, Prattley Autodrafters, Tru-Test, Excel, GPS auto-steer – yes we use them and your technical proficiency with these systems will be key to your success in the role. Do sheep occasionally outsmart the technology? Yes. Is that part of the fun? Also yes.

For further information and special requirements for this role please see attached Job Description Form (JDF).

Equity and Diversity

At DPIRD we are committed to creating a diverse and inclusive workforce and are an equal opportunity employer. We value and strongly encourage people with disabilities, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, young people, women and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds to apply for positions within our agency.

How to Apply

You should apply if you:

Have fixed a fence at 6pm after the sheep got out and still smiled
Can read an XR5000 CSV file faster than your mate reads the footy score
Know AgriWebb and Excel won’t argue with you if you treat them right

Click the Apply button and submit your CV and a cover letter telling us which part of the job description made you think “that’s me”.

Your cover letter should also include examples from your previous experience and achievements that demonstrate how your personal values align with the department's. For an overview of the department’s values, view the attached DPIRD Applicant Information Kit.

It is recommended that you consider all information contained in the advertisement and any other related information. All Work-Related Requirements will be assessed at some stage during the selection process.

Need further information?

For a confidential conversation about the role, please contact Keren Muthsam, Team Leader Katanning Research Facility on 0457 211 064 during office hours.

If you experience technical difficulties applying online, please contact the RAMS Helpdesk on 1300 733 056 in the first instance. For further information about the recruitment process please contact our Employment team on (08) 6552 1943.

Employment Conditions and Additional Information

DPIRD is an Emergency Management Agency and all employees may be required to work or travel during, or outside of, normal business hours to assist with incidents and emergencies.

Am I eligible to apply?

To be eligible for a permanent appointment to the Western Australian public sector you must be an Australian citizen or have permanent residency status in Australia. To be eligible for a fixed term or a casual appointment you must have documentary evidence of your entitlement to live and work in Australia for the period as part of your application.

You will be required to provide a current National Police Certificate (police clearance) before commencing employment. If not currently held, this must be acquired prior to appointment at applicant’s expense.

This process may be used to fill other same/similar fixed term, permanent, vacancies that arise in DPIRD at locations listed in this advert. In addition to this, should the successful applicant decline or vacate the advertised position, the panel may select another suitable applicant from this selection process. Both of these options remain valid for a period of twelve (12) months from the approval of the initial recruitment decision.

The recruitment process may include online written assessments, psychometric, cognitive or other testing, job-related tasks, video or live stream interviews, documentation and reference checks or other assessment methodologies as required. We reserve the right to supplement the field of applicants via an executive search if required.

Please ensure you have plenty of time to submit your application to allow for unanticipated problems, as late and proforma applications will not be accepted. (Please note: Online lodgement is system generated. Any submissions on or after 4:00pm will not be accepted).

dpird.wa.gov.au

Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development

Latest Jobs

Technical Officer