Technical Officer (Farming Systems Innovation)

The opportunity:
As a TO2 Technical Officer you will:
- Work in a team and collaborate with and support research agronomists and farmers to co-ordinate and conduct research in local farming systems to ensure timely planting, spraying, harvesting, application of treatments and monitoring of sites.
- Operate commonly used farm and research machinery and equipment (e.g. soil sampling rig) at research sites.
- Develop skills to collect and prepare soil, plant, and water samples including plant biomass, grain, soil, and other samples for analysis from field trials to characterise aspects of crop performance, soil health and farming system sustainability
- Develop skills to monitor crops and implement field treatments that include fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides in accordance with best management practice.
- Help maintain a central database of experimental results in preparation for statistical analysis
- Participate in local planning within the Farming Systems Innovation Team and liaise with DPI district/regional agronomists, technical staff, research station staff and farmer co-operators to support other research projects in southern Queensland.

As a TO3 Technical Officer you will:
- Work in a team and collaborate with and support research agronomists and farmers to co-ordinate and conduct research in local farming systems to ensure timely planting, spraying, harvesting, application of treatments and monitoring of sites.
- Operate commonly used farm and research machinery and equipment (e.g. soil sampling rig) at research sites.
- Collect and prepare soil, plant, and water samples including plant biomass, grain, soil, and other samples for analysis from field trials to characterise aspects of crop performance, soil health and farming system sustainability, with minimal supervision
- Monitor crops and implement field treatments that include fertilisers, herbicides and insecticides in accordance with best management practice, with minimum supervision.
- Ensure results are entered into a central database of experimental results in preparation for statistical analysis
- Participate in local planning within the Farming Systems Innovation Team and liaise with DPI district/regional agronomists, technical staff, research station staff and farmer co-operators to support other research projects in southern Queensland
- Supervise support staff and resources allocated to the project.

Technical Requirements of the role:
- Ability (or ability to learn) to implement experimental designs and procedures
- Empathy with farmers and agronomists and an ability to communicate with them as they interpret results and test new options to improve their farming systems.
- Ability (or ability to learn) to operate common farm and research machinery
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors and travel, including overnight.

What we are looking for (qualifications, registrations, experience):
There are some qualifications and licences that we see as essential. You must possess a:
- Diploma or equivalent qualification in Applied Science or similar field from a recognised tertiary institution
- a current 'C' class drivers licence, and desirably hold a heavy truck licence

Why work for us:
Learn why our people choose DPI and more importantly why they stay.
- Work with passion and purpose
- Have a tangible impact, for today and tomorrow
- Enjoy interesting, diverse work
- Follow your path wherever it leads
- Get the flexibility and support you need to thrive
- Be part of our one, diverse DPI

Find purpose you feel, impact you see and a legacy you bring to life.

Visit www.dpi.qld.gov.au to learn more about us

Applications to remain current for 12 months.

Job Ad Reference: QLD/649644/25

Closing Date: Thursday, 31 July 2025<space>This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Australia License.