Manager Plant Health and Environment Laboratory

Location: Auckland, New Zealand

About New Zealand Ministry for Primary Industries:

Our vision is to grow and protect New Zealand. We do this by maximising export opportunities for the primary industries, improving sector productivity, increasing sustainable resource use, and protecting New Zealand from biological risk.

About The Plant Health & Environment Laboratory (PHEL):

The Plant Health & Environment Laboratory (PHEL) is in the Investigation & Diagnostic Centres and Response directorate of MPI. PHEL is the national reference centre for the identification of all suspected exotic, new and emerging pests and diseases of plants, and arthropod pests affecting the environment and human health. We also provide diagnostic services to primary industries to facilitate trade.

About Position:

The scope of the work includes identification of pests and diseases associated with imported and exported plants, and pests and diseases found post border during surveillance, incursion investigation, response and pest management. These activities enable the management of risks associated with traded plants and plant products and maximise the opportunities to respond to biosecurity risks in New Zealand.

In addition to providing leadership for plant pest and disease identification the position also identifies generic and specific response systems and preparedness improvements and contributes to their development and implementation.

Key Selection Criteria Include:

• Minimum of a post-graduate university qualification (preferable doctoral) in a scientific field
• Broad experience in management and development of highly-qualified scientific staff.
• Expert technical knowledge and broad experience of managing laboratory diagnostic programmes and processes.
• Expert operational management skills
• Applicants must be able to obtain a security clearance to the level of confidential (click herefor more information).

For further information about this position email careers@mpi.govt.nzand quote vacancy number 13-299.

Please Apply Online via the MPI Careers page at http://careers.haines.co.nz/MPI/Pages/Home.aspxwith your CV and Cover Letter.

Applications close 12 September 2013.