Description:
Bring legacy to life. For the future of Queensland and the world.
We are seeking a Technical Officer to work within an energetic team undertaking a variety of agronomic research on farms, in collaboration with growers and agronomists, providing rigorous local data, results, and insights to help the Queensland grains industry refine and apply new farming practices.
Most importantly, we are seeking people with the right attitude; a willingness to get their hands dirty, learn and have fun in a rewarding job that makes a difference to farmers’ lives. These roles are ideally suited to recent graduates (at the TO2 level) who can develop their knowledge and skills with an experienced RDE team, or more experienced staff (at the TO3 level) who can bring their current expertise to share with the team.
Employment type: Temporary full time until 30 September 2026
Primary Location: Toowoomba
Job ad reference number: QLD/649644/25
Classification level: TO2 or TO3
Remuneration package (TO2): $81,882 to $96,487
Made up of:
- Salary (per annum): $71,769 to $84,571
- Salary (per fortnight): $2,750.90 to $3,241.60
- Superannuation (12.75%): $9,150 to $10,782
- Leave loading: $962 to $1,134
Remuneration package (TO3): $102,127 to $110,203
Made up of:
- Salary (per annum): $89,514 to $96,592
- Salary (per fortnight): $3,431.10 to $3,702.40
- Superannuation (12.75%): $11,413 to $12,315
- Leave loading: $1,200 to $1,295
Mandatory qualifications:
- Diploma or equivalent qualification in Applied Science or similar field from a recognised tertiary institution
- Hold a current driver’s licence, and desirably hold a heavy truck licence.
About the role
As our 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 our 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, including following protocols, recording activities and observations, and accurately managing varying types of data and records in a timely manner.
- 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 and equipment for field experiments, including regular use of boom-sprays, planters, harvesters, soil sampling rigs, drying ovens, soil and plant threshers and grinders.
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors and travel, including overnight, to service research sites across southern Queensland.
Citizenship or visa requirements:
To be eligible for this opportunity, you must be an Australian citizen, hold permanent residency status, or possess a visa allowing you to work in Australia.
Applications will remain current for 12 months.
Visit dpi.qld.gov.au and our social media accounts to learn more about what we do.
To apply for this role:
Follow the instructions provided in the role description and candidate information pack, available through the SmartJobs and Careers website ( https:/smartjobs.qld.gov.au/ ).
Closing date: Thursday 31 July 2025
Contact person: Jayne Gentry - Phone: 0428 459 138