CBIS Operations Technician

Acknowledgement of Country

CSIRO acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land sea and waters of the area that we live and work on across Australia. We acknowledge their continuing connection to their culture and pay our respects to their Elders past and present. View ourvision towards reconciliation.

Role highlights

• Play a key role supporting 24/7 operations and biocontainment systems at ACDP
• Apply technical expertise across plant systems and site security
• Contribute to a nationally significant biosecurity facility in Geelong

About CSIRO

As Australias national science agency CSIRO is solving the greatest challenges through innovative science and technology. Many of our iconic innovations were once considered impossible until someone just like you joined us and took on the challenge.

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The opportunity

We are seeking an Operations Technicians to join our CBIS Operations team at the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) a globally recognised high-containment biosecurity facility in Geelong.

As the Operations Technician you will play a key role in operating and supporting complex plant systems automation infrastructure and security systems that underpin ACDPs biocontainment environment. Youll work across a diverse range of critical infrastructure applying your technical expertise to maintain system performance diagnose issues and support safe continuous operations.

This role combines hands-on technical work with operational coordination in a 24/7 environment. Youll contribute to incident response continuous improvement and compliance with strict regulatory and biosecurity requirements supporting a facility that is central to Australias disease preparedness capability.

Your high-level duties will include:

• Operating and maintaining the Plant Control & Monitoring System (PC&MS) including fault diagnosis and rectification
• Operating critical plant systems such as:

• Air handling and pressure-controlled environments
• Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) and biocontainment processes
• Incinerators sterilisers and gas safety systems

• Supporting the performance and availability of security systems (EACS and VMS)
• Coordinating plant access and acting as a Permit Officer for high-risk work activities
• Leading or contributing to continuous improvement and root cause analysis initiatives
• Providing technical guidance coaching and on-the-job training to staff and contractors
• Supporting contractor management maintenance activities and compliance requirements
• Contributing to technical documentation including procedures risk assessments and specifications
• Participating in on-call and out-of-hours support including emergency response roles

Role particulars

Location: Geelong VIC

Salary: AU$100k - AU$113k pa 15.4% superannuation

Tenure: Specified term of 2 years Full-time

Reference: 103171

As the successful candidate you will bring:

• Relevant electrical or mechanical trade qualification or equivalent experience in a relevant industry.
• Demonstrated knowledge of and practical experience with SCADA/PLC and/or security systems within operational environments.
• High level technical knowledge electrical / mechanical aptitude and understanding of building and related engineering systems including experience in process control plant diagnostic and maintenance methods.
• Proven ability to identify and resolve complex issues in operational plant environments drawing on practical experience and applied technical expertise.
• Proven ability to use plant management control systems and/or physical security systems to operate diagnose and maintain engineering plant and physical security systems.
• Ability to effectively manage a number of competing priorities simultaneously and carry out non-routine tasks under general direction.
• Strong interpersonal skills and customer service focus with the ability to work effectively in a small team and supervise trade technical staff and contractors including induction work permits and work risk assessments.
• Strong written and oral communication skills including experience with preparing written reports producing test plans and commissioning documentation with proficiency in the Microsoft Office suite.
• Willingness to comply with ACDP microbiological and security requirements and participate in an on-call roster.
• Demonstrated evidence of professional and respectful behaviours and attitudes in a collaborative environment.

For full details about this role and other criteria please review the Position Description.

Support and workplace adjustments
We offer a range of reasonable supports and workplace adjustments. Please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description if we can help you to equitably participate in our recruitment process or the role itself.

Not sure if you meet all the criteria

While it is CSIRO policy that the successful candidate must meet all the essential criteria there are many ways to demonstrate this. Dont let the list discourage you. If you are unsure about applying please reach out to the contact person in the Position Description.

Setting you up for success

We are committed to providing a recruitment process that is fair equitable and accessible to everyone. We recognise that it may be helpful for us to adjust our process to make it equitable for your individual situation. Please reach out to the contact on page 1 of the position description to let us know how we can support you.

Life at CSIRO and flexible work arrangements

We work flexibly at CSIRO offering a range of options for how when and where you can discuss flexible work arrangements with you during the recruitment process. CSIRO also offers a range of leave entitlements benefits and career development opportunities. To find out more visit Careers at CSIRO.

Inclusion and belonging

Solving Australias greatest challenges takes a diversity of minds and lived experiences. We know diverse teams are more effective and deliver more innovative outcomes. As an equal employment opportunity organisation we are committed to creating diverse and inclusive teams where people feel they belong. We recognise true diversity encompasses all ages abilities cultures faiths levels of education genders sexualities diversity of thought and much more. We focus on hiring people who share our values of People First Further Together Making it Real and Trusted.

CSIRO holds Platinum Status for the Australian Workplace Equality Index for LGBTQIA inclusion and a Science in Australia Gender Equity Bronze Award.

Eligibility

Applications for this position are open to Australian Citizens only.

Appointment to this role is subject to provision of a security clearance at the NV1 level and are subject to other security/medical/character requirements including Security Assessment/Microbiological Security Requirements for Personnel Working on the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP) Site.

Child safety

CSIRO is committed to the safety and wellbeing of all children and young people involved in our activities and programs. View our Child Safe Policy.

How to apply

Please apply online and submit a cover letter (maximum 2 pages) and CV that demonstrate your motivation and ability to meet the essential requirements of this role.

Applications close

23rd August 2026 11pm (AEST)