Technical Officer Fisheries - Estuarine Habitats

Full time, 35 hours per week.

Temporary (fixed term) until 30 June 2027 with potential for further extension.

Location: Port Stephens Fisheries Institute, Taylors Beach.

Grade: Technical Officer Grade 1/3, starting at $75,728.00 plus super.

About the Role

The Technical Officer Grade 3 is responsible for delivering specialised field, laboratory and operational activities in support of research within the Marine Ecosystems Research Unit of DPIRD Fisheries Research. The role focuses on estuarine habitats, principally seagrass and oyster reefs, as part of an estuarine blue carbon project and will provide technical assistance to scientists across all stages of project delivery.

Responsibilities include planning and conducting field sampling, laboratory processing and identification of macroinvertebrates from soft sediment and oyster reef habitats, maintenance of aquarium experiments, equipment management, and spatial analysis using ArcGIS. The role involves a combination of fieldwork, laboratory work, and office-based duties.

About You

As our ideal candidate, you will have:

• Demonstrated experience in planning and leading specialised estuarine fieldwork, including vessel use.
• Proven ability to supervise, train and lead the day-to-day work of students and casual staff as required, mainly in relation to field and laboratory procedures.
• Proven expertise in GIS and spatial mapping of estuarine habitats, with the capacity to work independently and exercise sound judgement with limited supervision.
• Comprehensive field sampling experience, including collection and processing of soft sediment cores and environmental DNA (eDNA) samples.
• Strong taxonomic skills in the field identification of estuarine plants, and the identification and laboratory sorting of estuarine infauna, particularly macroinvertebrates associated with soft sediments and oyster reefs.
• Experience in setting up and maintaining aquarium experiments, ideally involving seagrass.

Essential Requirements

• Qualifications in accordance with Part 2(xvii) of the Crown Employees (Department of Industry) Technical Staff Award.
• Demonstrated expertise with GIS and mapping habitats.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and leading specialised fieldwork including vessel operations, sampling soft sediments and eDNA collection.
• Demonstrated experience in microscopic work, including identification of infauna.
• Experience establishing and maintaining aquarium experiments.
• Current NSW driver's license and willingness and ability to travel to remote locations within NSW.
• Relevant qualifications and experience in vessel operations in accordance with applicable boating safety standards (e.g. Coxswain certificate).
• Demonstrated relevant training and experience to undertake general diving operations in accordance with AS/NZS 2815 and the NSW WHS Regulations.

How to Apply

Submit your current Resume/CV and a Cover Letter (max. 2 pages) outlining your relevant skills and experience, how you fit the essential requirements, and why you're our ideal candidate.

Applications close: 11:55pm Monday 1 June 2026 AEDT.

For a confidential discussion about this opportunity, please contact victoria.cole@dpird.nsw.gov.au or call 0437 152 416.