Job description
Agency Department of Agriculture and Work unit Plant Industries
Fisheries
Job title Cropping Group Leader Designation Professional 3
Job type Full time Duration Ongoing
Salary $110,873 - $124,173 Location Katherine
Position number 12831 RTF Closing 15/09/2025
Contact officer Muhammad Sohail Mazhar on or
About the agency
Apply online
APPLICATIONS MUST INCLUDE A ONE-PAGE SUMMARY ABOUT YOU, A DETAILED RESUME AND COPIES OF
YOUR TERTIARY QUALIFICATIONS.
Information for applicants – inclusion and diversity and Special Measures recruitment plans
The NTPS values diversity. The NTPS encourages people from all diversity groups to apply for vacancies and accommodates
people with disability by making reasonable workplace adjustments. If you require an adjustment for the recruitment
process or job, please discuss this with the contact officer. For more information about applying for this position and the
merit process, go to the OCPE website.
Aboriginal applicants will be granted priority consideration for this vacancy. For more information on Special Measures
plans, go to the OCPE website.
Primary objective
The Cropping Group Leader will conceptualise, initiate, plan, conduct and manage research and development projects to
improve the productivity and sustainability of cropping industries in the Katherine, Douglas Daly or Darwin region, in line
with the DAF Industry Development Plan.
Key duties and responsibilities
1. Develop clear RD&E objectives for intensive cropping systems, through consultation with management, industry and
other stakeholders.
2. Design, implement and manage all aspects of complex research and development programs/projects, including building
positive relationships with stakeholders and clients, that deliver outcomes for industry and government.
3. Prepare and publish key scientific publications to promote the adoption of new technologies and methodologies that
maximise farming system profitability and sustainability.
4. Manage staff in a manner that is consistent with Work Health and Safety principles.
5. Provide need-based advice to senior staff and represent DAF at meetings, workshops and conferences at a regional,
national and international levels.
6. Provide inputs for Ministerial and Cabinet submissions to achieve the strategic outcomes of the NTG and
Commonwealth.
7. Manage resources (human, financial, technical and others) in a manner consistent with DAF's Code of Conduct and
maintain an active professional development plan.
Selection criteria
Essential
1. Bachelor's degree in science, agricultural science or equivalent.
2. Sound knowledge of cropping production systems in Australia and the key issues influencing these industries into the
future.
3. Sound knowledge of integrated production system research and development methodologies, utilising multidiscipline
teams as applicable to cropping production systems with a particular focus on the movement of nutrients in the plant.
4. Knowledge of the principles of project development, management and reporting and industry negotiation with the
objective to advance the economic and sustainable development of integrated cropping industries.
5. Knowledge of work team dynamics and how to maximise the output of the team and of industry/growers' associations
and how they relate to project management.
6. High level written and oral communication skills including the ability to render technical data and information suitable
for a wide variety of audiences – including scientific community, general public, industry and media.
7. An understanding of Indigenous economic development issues.
8. Current drivers licence Class C or equivalent.
Desirable
1. Postgraduate qualifications and research experience relevant to the position.
2. Demonstrated experience in achieving positive outcomes through stakeholder engagement.