• Ongoing full-time opportunity
• 35 hours per week
• Location: Cowra Agricultural Research and Advisory Station.
• Technical Officer Grade 1-3 - salary from $77,728 to $116,969 p.a. + superannuation commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience

About Us

The New South Wales Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) protects, supports and develops primary industries and regional economies.

Collectively we support strong and sustainable agriculture, forestry, fishing and mining industries, and regional economies. We actively manage our natural assets: our lands and soils, minerals, waterways and oceans, vegetation and forests.

  The department brings together:

• Agriculture and Biosecurity
• NSW Resources
• Local Land Services
• Fisheries and Forestry
• Regional Development and Delivery.

With nearly 5,000 employees, and 75 per cent of the DPIRD team living and working in regional NSW, we are embedded in the regions we serve.

About the Role

The Technical Officer provides technical assistance to the research officer in trial operations and management of various crops. It also assists in the day-to-day running of research projects and supervising technical staff employed to support research work.

What will my day look like?
Your duties will include, but are not limited to:

• Working as a team member of a wider group and communicate with other Unit staff based across NSW.
• Coordinating and managing field crop trials in central NSW, including selecting trial sites, sowing trials, applying pesticides throughout the season and harvesting the trials.
• Supervising technical assistants to help with trial management through the winter cropping season.
• Being able to confidently operate field equipment such as tractors, experimental plot seeders, Boom sprays, drive trucks, and operate plot harvesters.
• Collecting and recording trial data according research protocols.
• Preparing research reports.
• Communicating with growers and other industry personnel.

You will be challenged to:

• Manage various field trials associated with research projects
• Manage, collect and accurately record research data and information
• Organise and conduct field sample collections, ensuring consistency and quality in sample evaluation from replicated trials
• Operate and maintain key field equipment and databases, and purchase consumables as required
• Maintain work health and safety (WHS) and quality management systems
• Comply with work standards according to the level of appointment in the Technical Officer Merit Progression Guidelines.

What You’ll Need to be Successful and Enjoy This Role:

• Knowledge and skills in dryland farming systems and agronomic practices
• Able to plan, sow, manage and harvest replicated trials to provide reliable and consistent data
• Be able to work with minimal supervision and in a team environment to complete tasks within set time frames,
• Superior organisational skills to prioritise multiple tasks, adhere to schedules and manage and collate data
• Proven reliability and the ability to work extended hours as required
• Project management skills and experience, including the ability to plan, prioritise and deliver results
• Be willing to obtain or have a HR truck licence (required to drive and operate a 15–22 T GVM truck). 

Essential requirements

• Qualifications in accordance with Part 2(xvii) of the Crown Employees (Department of Trade and Investment) Technical Staff Award
• Current NSW driver’s licence

🔗 Click here to view the full role description

💬 For further information about this vacancy please contact:

Peter Matthews, Technical Specialist Grain Services

0427 007 395 or peter.matthews@dpi.nsw.gov.au

Applying is easy!

Please apply via our online portal and submit:

✅ A CV (approx. 4 pages)

✅ A cover letter (approx. 1 page) that briefly outlines how your skills and experience make you a great fit for this role.

Applications close on Wednesday 25 March 2026, at 11:55pm

We are committed to ensuring every stage of the recruitment process is accessible and free from barriers. If you require adjustments or information in an alternative format to participate, please contact talent.advisory@dpird.nsw.gov.au   or the hiring manager listed for a confidential discussion.  

After applying:

• You’ll receive a confirmation email
• We’ll review all applications once the ad closes
• If shortlisted, you may be invited to interview (in person or Microsoft Teams video)
• Further assessments will follow (e.g. writing task, skills test, psychometric test)
• Reference checks will be completed for final candidates  
• The preferred candidate for this role may be required to undergo reference checks, a national police check, bankruptcy check, health assessment and/or other assessments as required.
• A recruitment pool may be created for ongoing and temporary roles of the same role or role type that may become available for filling over the next eighteen months

Additional Information

The salary offered to the successful candidate will be commensurate with qualifications, skills and experience, as outlined in the Crown Employees (Department of Industry) Technical Staff Award and the Technical Staff Merit Progression Guidelines.

At DPIRD, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace that reflects the communities we serve. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds – including, but not limited to, gender, age, ethnicity, cultural heritage, disability, religion and sexual orientation.  

DPIRD is a proud Disability Confident Recruiter, Family Inclusive Employer and Carer Friendly Employer

We also understand that work is just one part of life. Our Family Inclusive Employer and Carers + Employers Accreditations reflect our commitment to supporting employees to balance work and family responsibilities.