There are few APS careers where you meet Black Sabbath, Taylor Swift and Barack Obama. Steven’s former role as a biosecurity officer at Brisbane airport allowed him the chance to brush shoulders with celebrities and G20 world leaders.
Despite these brushes with fame, his most recent role as an Engagement Officer at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) has him excited.
Starting his APS career 20 years ago, Steven never imagined he would land a role in a Canberra-based team. All without moving interstate!
Like many APS staff, big changes unfolded for Steven through COVID. Steven faced less work at the airports, staff redeployment and saw the demand for training increase.
Steven’s primary task at the time was delivering training programs to biosecurity officers. Steven adapted these traditionally ‘face-to-face’ programs for delivery through Microsoft Teams.
‘I developed and tested our biosecurity training through Microsoft Teams,’ says Steven. ‘I guided the technical trainers on how to use it for remote training, which was a game changer.’
Steven was offered an unexpected opportunity to join the Canberra-based Agricultural Trade Regulatory Stewardship Node and continue working remotely from regional Queensland.
‘It’s a role that contributes to making us better regulators across the department. So it made sense to have a team member with practical operational experience,’ Steven says.
‘By nature, the roles in regional areas are more operational. I’ve had opportunities to apply for jobs in Canberra before but was unable to move interstate.’
‘Working remotely has allowed me to use my operational experience to carry out policy, program and project work. My teammates work across Melbourne, Hobart, Brisbane and Canberra. We communicate through Microsoft Teams, which wasn't readily available or encouraged before COVID.’
‘In Canberra, people can move between agencies because it’s known as an APS town, and skills are transferable. This role has introduced me to new people, experiences, knowledge and importantly, opportunities.’
One of the standout moments for Steven was delivering DAFF’s first Regulator Symposium, ‘Regulation: where can it take you?’ Working alongside the new Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, the online symposium explored the sometimes-surprising opportunities a career in regulation offers.
It highlighted the inspirational stories of APS employees in regulatory roles. Biosecurity officers who use 3D x-ray and artificial intelligence to detect smuggled food in passenger luggage. Vets and Indigenous rangers who are our front-line defence against pests and diseases entering Australia through the Top End.
While he isn’t on the front line anymore, Steven’s story and unfolding APS career embody the 4 priorities that underpin APS reform: An APS that embodies integrity in everything it does, an APS that puts people and business at the centre of policy and services, an APS that is a model employer and an APS that has the capability to do its job well.
Steven contributed to DAFF’s work with the Australian Public Service Commission to develop the Excellence in Professional Regulation pilot program.
The program aims to help lift regulator capability in the APS.
The APS Academy will deliver the program modules in the future. In the meantime, visit APS Learn to get your regulatory career off to a flying start.